Doctor of Professional Studies
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The Doctor of Professional Studies (DProf or D.P.S.) is a work-based professional doctorate pioneered by Middlesex University.
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[edit] Development
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.
[edit] Characteristics
In some respects the DProf is closer to the PhD 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.
[edit] Schools Offering DPS Degrees
- Middlesex University (DProf)
- Pace University (DPS)
