Doctor of Professional Studies
Encyclopedia
The Doctor of Professional Studies (DProf or D.P.S.) is a work-based professional doctorate pioneered by Pace University
.
was established in 1972 by Pace University
in the State of New York and is one of the flagship professional executive doctoral programs in the world. Syracuse University also offers a Doctor of Professional Studies in Information Management. In the United States
, the DPS is considered by the United States Department of Education
and the National Science Foundation
to be a research doctorate equivalent to the Ph.D.
In New York State, the Doctor of Professional Studies is an official degree title applicable to doctoral programs with a professional focus in a variety of disciplines.http://www.pace.edu/lubin/dps Professional doctorates became established in the United Kingdom
in the 1980s, when it was recognised that high-level programmes were needed that were designed for experienced professional practitioners rather than for student academic researchers. Many professional doctorates are profession-specific and contain a mix of taught modules and a shortened dissertation, and in some respects can be considered as an extension of the part-time, modular approach that has become popular at master's
level. In developing its professional doctorate Middlesex University
drew on its experience as a leading international centre for work-based higher education
, resulting in a generic doctorate where candidates undertake a project that is built around their professional activities. The success of the DProf has recently led to the development of similar doctorates in other UK universities, such as the University of Chester
. The University of Chester's DProfs are an extension of its existing negotiated work-based programmes (see The Chester Centre for Work Related Studies. Recently Shenandoah University
(VA) began offering a Doctor of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership (DProf).
than the longer-established modular doctorates, although it has important differences. While PhD theses
typically make an original contribution to knowledge, the DProf is more concerned with making a significant contribution to practice: it requires high-level practical action, resulting for instance in significant change or development in an organisation or community of practice. The DProf project cannot be a purely academic study (and it does not need to be a research project in a conventional sense), but it needs to reflect the application of thinking that is at least of an equivalent level to that required for a PhD.
Pace University
Pace University is an American private, co-educational, and comprehensive multi-campus university in the New York metropolitan area with campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York.-Programs:...
.
Development
The first professional executive doctoral program in the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
was established in 1972 by Pace University
Pace University
Pace University is an American private, co-educational, and comprehensive multi-campus university in the New York metropolitan area with campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York.-Programs:...
in the State of New York and is one of the flagship professional executive doctoral programs in the world. Syracuse University also offers a Doctor of Professional Studies in Information Management. In the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, the DPS is considered by the United States Department of Education
United States Department of Education
The United States Department of Education, also referred to as ED or the ED for Education Department, is a Cabinet-level department of the United States government...
and the National Science Foundation
National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation is a United States government agency that supports fundamental research and education in all the non-medical fields of science and engineering. Its medical counterpart is the National Institutes of Health...
to be a research doctorate equivalent to the Ph.D.
Ph.D.
A Ph.D. is a Doctor of Philosophy, an academic degree.Ph.D. may also refer to:* Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*Piled Higher and Deeper, a web comic strip*PhD: Phantasy Degree, a Korean comic series* PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
In New York State, the Doctor of Professional Studies is an official degree title applicable to doctoral programs with a professional focus in a variety of disciplines.http://www.pace.edu/lubin/dps Professional doctorates became established in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
in the 1980s, when it was recognised that high-level programmes were needed that were designed for experienced professional practitioners rather than for student academic researchers. Many professional doctorates are profession-specific and contain a mix of taught modules and a shortened dissertation, and in some respects can be considered as an extension of the part-time, modular approach that has become popular at master's
Master's degree
A master's is an academic degree granted to individuals who have undergone study demonstrating a mastery or high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional practice...
level. In developing its professional doctorate Middlesex University
Middlesex University
Middlesex University is a university in north London, England. It is located in the historic county boundaries of Middlesex from which it takes its name. It is one of the post-1992 universities and is a member of Million+ working group...
drew on its experience as a leading international centre for work-based higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
, resulting in a generic doctorate where candidates undertake a project that is built around their professional activities. The success of the DProf has recently led to the development of similar doctorates in other UK universities, such as the University of Chester
University of Chester
The University of Chester is a public research university located in Chester, United Kingdom. The University, based on a main campus in Chester and a smaller campus in Warrington, offers a range of foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as undertaking academic research.Chester...
. The University of Chester's DProfs are an extension of its existing negotiated work-based programmes (see The Chester Centre for Work Related Studies. Recently Shenandoah University
Shenandoah University
Shenandoah University is a comprehensive private university located in Winchester, Virginia in the United States. It has an enrollment of approximately 3,800 students across more than ninety programs in six schools: College of Arts & Sciences, Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business, Shenandoah...
(VA) began offering a Doctor of Professional Studies in Organizational Leadership (DProf).
Characteristics
In some respects the DProf is closer to the PhDPHD
PHD may refer to:*Ph.D., a doctorate of philosophy*Ph.D. , a 1980s British group*PHD finger, a protein sequence*PHD Mountain Software, an outdoor clothing and equipment company*PhD Docbook renderer, an XML renderer...
than the longer-established modular doctorates, although it has important differences. While PhD theses
Thesis
A dissertation or thesis is a document submitted in support of candidature for an academic degree or professional qualification presenting the author's research and findings...
typically make an original contribution to knowledge, the DProf is more concerned with making a significant contribution to practice: it requires high-level practical action, resulting for instance in significant change or development in an organisation or community of practice. The DProf project cannot be a purely academic study (and it does not need to be a research project in a conventional sense), but it needs to reflect the application of thinking that is at least of an equivalent level to that required for a PhD.
Schools Offering DPS Degrees
- University of ChesterUniversity of ChesterThe University of Chester is a public research university located in Chester, United Kingdom. The University, based on a main campus in Chester and a smaller campus in Warrington, offers a range of foundation, undergraduate and postgraduate courses, as well as undertaking academic research.Chester...
(Centre for Work Related Studies) - Teesside University (DProf)
- Middlesex UniversityMiddlesex UniversityMiddlesex University is a university in north London, England. It is located in the historic county boundaries of Middlesex from which it takes its name. It is one of the post-1992 universities and is a member of Million+ working group...
(DProf) - New York UniversityNew York UniversityNew York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
- Pace UniversityPace UniversityPace University is an American private, co-educational, and comprehensive multi-campus university in the New York metropolitan area with campuses in New York City and Westchester County, New York.-Programs:...
(DPS) - University of Southern QueenslandUniversity of Southern QueenslandThe University of Southern Queensland is based in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia. The institution was established in 1967 as the Queensland Institute of Technology...
- Syracuse UniversitySyracuse UniversitySyracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
(DPS) - Shenandoah UniversityShenandoah UniversityShenandoah University is a comprehensive private university located in Winchester, Virginia in the United States. It has an enrollment of approximately 3,800 students across more than ninety programs in six schools: College of Arts & Sciences, Harry F. Byrd, Jr. School of Business, Shenandoah...
(DProf)
See also
- Doctor of EducationDoctor of EducationThe Doctor of Education or Doctor in Education degree , in Latin, Doctor Educationis, is a research-oriented professional doctorate that prepares the student for academic, administrative, clinical, or research positions in educational, civil, and private organizations.-Differences between an Ed.D...
- Doctor of MusicDoctor of MusicThe Doctor of Music degree , like other doctorates, is an academic degree of the highest level. The D.Mus. is intended for musicians and composers who wish to combine the highest attainments in their area of specialization with doctoral-level academic study in music...
- Doctor Liberalium ArtiumDoctor Liberalium ArtiumThe Doctor Liberalium Artium or Doctor of Liberal Arts degree is a professional artistic doctorate in the field of the Liberal Arts or more exactly in the field of the creative arts, such us architecture, dance, music, theater and visual arts. Like other doctorates, is an academic degree of the...