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The University Of Georgia
Program name: Education Sciences
Study Level: Doctoral
Program leader: Revaz Tabatadze
Study language: Georgian
Qualification: Doctor of Education Sciences
Program capacity: 60
Program permission: Applicants to the doctoral programme must hold a master’s degree or an equivalent academic qualification in the humanities or social sciences or adjacent fields. They must also provide proof of English language proficiency at no less than the B2 (Upper-intermediate) level. To confirm English proficiency, applicants may submit international certificates such as: • TOEFL iBT – minimum score 72-80; • IELTS – minimum score 5.5 or 6; • PTE General – B2 Level; • FCE – B Level. Applicants who do not hold an international certificate confirming English proficiency will be tested by the University of Georgia at the B2 level. A passing score will be considered the successful completion of at least 70% of the test. In addition, applicants must submit a research project and successfully pass a subject-specific interview. When making its decision, the School Council takes into account: a) the candidate’s research skills; b) the relevance of the proposed research project and topic to the school’s research areas and available human resources.
Program goals:

The aim of the Doctoral Program in Educational Sciences is to prepare highly qualified specialists and researchers in the field of education who are capable of investigating current issues and paradigms in education and generating new knowledge based on interdisciplinary approaches.
The program integrates both theoretical and practical aspects of education and aims to equip doctoral students with advanced scientific research skills. This approach enables doctoral candidates to plan and conduct interdisciplinary research on pressing educational issues, develop innovative perspectives, and make a significant contribution to educational policy formation, the improvement of teaching and learning processes, and the practice of educational leadership.
The program places particular emphasis on strengthening international cooperation and developing skills in educational project management. Accordingly, it ensures the preparation of doctoral students who are able to critically analyze ongoing educational reforms and propose evidence-based innovative solutions to relevant institutions.
The specialization modules — Specialization Module I: Modern Pedagogy: Theories, Research, and Practice, and Specialization Module II: Educational Policy and Administration — enable doctoral students to develop theoretical, practical, and research skills in the specific areas that define their professional profile and research direction.
The interdisciplinary nature of the program broadens the scope of educational research and provides a holistic vision of the field. Therefore, doctoral research may include topics such as educational policy and administration; contemporary issues in modern pedagogy; legal, financial, philosophical, and sociological aspects of education; curriculum development; educational research methods and design; digital innovations and artificial intelligence in education, and others.
The program draws on successful international experience in the areas of educational policy, management, and pedagogy. It involves the participation of international experts and researchers who contribute to the implementation of research components and supervise doctoral students.
International and Georgian Experts Participating in the Program:

  • Prof. Dominik Dvořák, Georgia;
  • Assoc. Prof. Revaz Tabatadze, Georgia;
  • Prof. Stavroula Philippou, Cyprus;
  • Prof. Carlos Lindade, Portugal;
  • Prof. Shalva Dundua, Georgia;
  • Prof. Iveta Silova, United States of America;
  • Assoc. Prof. Akaki Tsomaia, Georgia;
  • Prof. Kevin Hirsch, United States of America;
  • Prof. Cynthia Douglas, United States of America;
  •  Prof. Kakhaber Tavzarashvili, Georgia;
  • Assoc. Prof. Irma Mesiridze, Georgia;
  • Prof. Ekaterine Pipia, Georgia;
  • Prof. Tinatin Bochorishvili, Georgia;
  • Prof. Jolita Horbačiauskienė, Lithuania;
  • Prof. Ketevan Chachkhiani, United States of America;
  • Prof. Keti Tsotniashvili, Georgia;
  • Prof. Lia Glonti, Georgia;
  • Prof. Maia Chkheidze, Georgia;
  • Prof. Remigijus Babnys, Lithuania;
  • Prof. Renata Orosová, Slovakia;
  • Prof. Simon Janashia, Georgia;
  • Prof. Heathcliff Schembri, Malta;
  • Prof. Juliette Torabian, Switzerland;
  • Prof. Natia Vacharadze, Georgia;

Upon completion of the program, graduates will be able to work in various governmental and non-governmental organizations, research centers, higher education institutions, international organizations, and educational policy-making bodies. Their acquired theoretical knowledge and research competencies will contribute to the advancement and improvement of the educational system.

Methods for Attaining Learning Outcomes:
  • Case Study and Analysis
  • Text- and Book-Based Learning
  • Problem-Based Learning (PBL)
  • Structured Discussions and Academic Debates
  • Project-Based Learning
  • Experiential Learning
  • Simulation-Based Learning
  • Portfolio Development
  • Research-Oriented Learning
  • Review and Analysis of Scholarly Literature
  • Multimedia-Supported Lectures (Visual Lectures)
  • Written Assignments and Academic Writing Tasks
  • Lecture–Seminar Format
  • Development of Strategic Documents
  • Flipped Classroom
  • Mentoring and Coaching Methods
  • Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
  • Digital Learning
  • Interactive Learning Sessions
  • Preparation and Delivery of Presentations
  • Independent, Resource-Based Learning
  • Oral/Verbal Communication Methods
  • Collaborative Learning and Teamwork
  • Critical and Comparative Analysis
  • Explanatory and Interpretative Methods
  • Inductive, Deductive, Analytical, and Synthetic Reasoning
  • Literature-Based Analytical Work
  • Role Plays and Scenario-Based Learning
Learning outcomes:
Knowledge and understanding

  • After the programme completion, the graduate:

    • Critically and comprehensively examines the fundamental theoretical and methodological paradigms of education through the synthesis of interdisciplinary approaches.
    • Demonstrates a systematic understanding of the latest methods and approaches in educational research for the purpose of conducting interdisciplinary research.
    • Consistently and thoroughly discusses the knowledge grounded in the latest achievements of the field.

    • Skills

  • After the programme completion, the graduate:

    • Critically analyzes critical issues and challenges in educational policy/administration and pedagogy through the lens of diverse theoretical frameworks;
    • Develops relevant research and/or analytical methods and approaches aimed at generating new knowledge;
    • Consistently designs and implements the full cycle of innovative research by applying interdisciplinary approaches and adhering to the principles of academic integrity, and utilizes the findings to address existing problems in the field through evidence-based recommendations and normative proposals;
    • Successfully plans and implements research projects in collaboration with international and local educational donors, ensuring effective time management and dissemination of findings to relevant stakeholders and the wider community.

    • Responsibility and autonomy

  • After the programme completion, the graduate:

    • Conducts research projects based on the latest scientific achievements in full compliance with the principles of academic and professional integrity, and disseminates results within professional circles, thereby contributing to the establishment of education as a core societal value;
    • Reflects on and evaluates their own professional activities and identifies stages of their continuous professional development.
    • Date of approval: 07-15-2025
    Approval protocol number: 28
    Date of program update:
    Update protocol number:
    Program details:

    The doctoral dissertation shall consist of no fewer than 35,000 words and no more than 40,000 words.

    Teaching Process Characteristics:

    The doctoral student’s workload consists of teaching and research components.
    The teaching component is delivered on a semester basis and comprises 60 ECTS credits (45 ECTS for core courses/activities and 15 ECTS for electives). 
    The duration of one semester is defined as 22 weeks, while the academic year consists of 44 weeks.
    The teaching components are supervised by the respective course authors, while the research component is supervised by the doctoral student’s academic advisor.

    Program Core

    Code Subject ECTS Semester
    EDUC712310 1
    EDUC71245 1
    EDUC712510 1
    EDUC71265 2
    EDUC71275 2
    EDUC712810 2
    EDUC71290 0

    Total ECTS to be taken:

    45

    Program Elective

    Code Subject ECTS
    EDUC72135
    EDUC721410
    EDUC721510
    EDUC721610
    EDUC72175
    EDUC72185
    EDUC72195

    Total ECTS to be taken:

    50










    Point GPA The university assessment   The general assessment in Georgia
    97-100 4,00 A+ A Excellent
    94-96 3,75 A
    91-93 3,50 A-
    87-90 3,25 B+   Very good
    84-86 3,00 B B
    81-83 2,75 B-  
    77-80 2,50 C+   C good
    74-76 2,25 C
    71-73 2,00 C-
    67-70 1,75 D+   D Satisfactory
    64-66 1,50 D
    61-63 1,25 D-
    51-60 1,00 E E Sufficient
    Not passed
    41-50   FX FX Insufficient
    <40   F F Failed



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