Defining professional doctorates and their meaning

Whilst also conferring the title 'Dr.' On an individual, the professional doctorate is different than a PhD in that it focuses on a profession rather than academia and is therefore not for those intending to teach.

According to 'Find a Professional Doctorate.com', Professional Doctorates are a relatively new phenomenon in the West, and their aim is to integrate professional and academic knowledge in innovative ways. The UK Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) defines is as a degree where:

make a contribution to both theory and practice in their field, and to develop professional practice by making a contribution to (professional) knowledge" (http://www.professionaldoctorates.com/explained.asp)

Common to the PhD, the course structure varies from subject to subject as well as from institution to institution whilst the actual dissertation, in common with the PhD, too, takes the form of a piece of original research that adds to prevalent knowledge on the subject and usually focuses on real life issues connected to the profession. The dissertation is then reviewed by an expert in the field. Oftentimes, although not always, research is carried out within the student's own organization.

Also similar to PhD programs is the fact that most professional doctorate programs include a great quantity of taught or directed element (where students are trained in and model the particular skills of the study). Components often include study of research skills, as well as elements that are intended to expand and intensify the student's knowledge and understanding of the subject matter. Study and real-world experience are integrated, and experience of externships and clinical rotations provided the most distinguishing factor between a professional doctorate and between the academic-oriented PhD.

Another difference to the conventional and more traditional PhD, is that students, according to 'Find a Professional Doctorate.com', will generally only devote part-time, as opposed to fulltime, study for their doctorate, particularly since most of these students are already practicing and experienced professionals.

The length of time required for the study of a Professional doctorate can take between 2-5-year full-time and 3-8 years part-time. Variables depend on many factors including particular institution, student's commitment and intelligence, area of study, and length of research project.

Qualifications needed for the pursuance of a professional doctorate are generally a Master's degree as well as 3 or more years of professional experience.