In 2006 the School of Education Studies in partnership with the DCU Business School developed the innovative and unique Doctor in Education (Leadership) programme. The EdD (Leadership) is a research degree for experienced professionals from education and related fields who would like to extend their professional understanding and develop skills in research, evaluation and high-level reflection on practice. The programme aims to foster professional development through research as well as meeting the requirements of rigour and originality expected of a doctorate. It includes assessed taught courses, research-focused workshops and supervised original research. The student cohort provides an important element of the programme. From the start students work with a specialist supervisor to begin to develop research in a field of their choice related to their professional interests.