phd by professional practice

Doctor of Professional Practice in Global Leadership and Management

The world needs a new brand of leaders and managers who can navigate the complex systemic and cross-sectoral dynamics of the Fourth Industrial Revolution to develop new strategies, structures, relationships and solutions to address these increasingly pressing challenges.  Thunderbird School of Global Management has developed a unique and first of its kind program, the  Doctor of Professional Practice (DPP)  in Global Leadership and Management. Designed to prepare practitioners who are responsive to the opportunities and challenges presented by this unprecedented time of rapid disruption, this program prepares leaders from across industries and sectors and is available online from anywhere in the world. ASU Sync provides students with technology-enhanced, fully interactive remote learning with classes delivered online. This format provides working professionals the greatest convenience and flexibility while still benefiting from the live delivery of courses provided by Thunderbird’s world-class faculty.

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Minimum years of experience

Doctor of professional practice (dpp), who should attend.

• Organization and industry practitioners seeking to develop their leadership and management capabilities for the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Anthropocene Epoch to help organizations transform.
• Individuals serving as faculty or trainers in organizations and institutions seeking to advance the development of their leadership and management knowledge application and expertise.

Core curriculum

This program will offer opportunities for integrating and customizing the course of study depending on student objectives. The 60-credit program includes 45 credits from DPP courses and 15 transfer credits obtained through a Masters' degree. Of these 45 DPP course credits, 18 come from required Thunderbird core courses, 6 hours from graduate-level electives with DPP Faculty and other ASU unit approval, 18 credit hours of required research courses, as well as 3 credit hours of a required culminating experience. The program will use synchronous approaches, including pro-seminars, colloquia, and flipped classroom delivery, with asynchronous content discussion and application. 

2024-25 Program calendar

Class schedule.

Financial aid and costs

There are many different options available to help you finance your education at Thunderbird. More than 96% of Thunderbird students receive financial assistance through loans, scholarships, or other awards. Arizona State University's Financial Aid team works with you hand-in-hand to find the financing solutions for your unique situation. 

Scholarships are available for this program. 

Program costs

Over 96% of Thunderbird students receive financial assistance.

Program FAQ

This program is not eligible for F1 visa issuance. 

The DPP’s ASU Sync is delivered fully online with synchronous classes held every other Friday, Saturday and Sundays. Classes are not held in person.

Graduates of Thunderbird’s Doctorate of Professional Practice will not receive a Ph.D. 

No, ASU sync does not provide grant for F1 visa.

ASU Sync provides students with technology-enhanced, fully interactive remote learning with classes delivered live online. This format provides working professionals the greatest convenience and flexibility while still benefiting from the live delivery of courses by Thunderbird's world-class faculty. 

Application requirements

• Graduate admissions application and application fee
• Personal statement
• Official transcripts
• Professional resume
• Two letters of recommendation 
• Select interview(s) with Thunderbird faculty and staff
• Proof of English proficiency
• Applicants to the DPP program are expected to have earned an accredited master’s degree. Exceptional individuals with a bachelor’s degree may also be considered.
• Applicants should possess a global perspective and a desire for an applied focus in their program. This information should be reflected in their application personal statement.
• Eight years of senior-level work experience is preferred for admission to the program. This information should be reflected in the applicant's professional resume.
• Although students holding degrees in any field may be accepted, all applications are reviewed to ensure that students have the optimal academic background required to be productive in the program. Deficiency courses may be added if the committee deems this necessary for student success.

* 15 credit hours from an accredited masters program, graduate certificate, or graduate level course work are required and must be approved as part of acceptance into the program.

Applicants are required to meet certain English proficiency standards for acceptance. If your English proficiency scores are below acceptance standards, you may be required to take pre-degree English instruction to ensure you meet the level of English proficiency needed to succeed in your graduate studies.  Learn more.  View the minimum and direct entry scores  here.

Application deadlines

The DPP offers three application deadlines. Applicants are encouraged to apply by the priority decision deadline of January 30 in order to receive priority admission and scholarship consideration. Two additional deadlines are offered as well.

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What are Professional Doctorates?

• Types of Doctorates

A professional doctorate is an advanced postgraduate degree that combines taught components with independent research in a student’s area of expertise. They offer candidates the opportunity to develop their career to a doctoral level so they can make novel contributions to their industry. This is achieved by arming them with advanced research skills and specialist knowledge in their area of expertise, so they have not only the ability but also the confidence to facilitate change at a corporate level.

Compared to traditional PhDs (Doctor of Philosophy), professional doctorates are relatively new. They were incorporated into UK higher education as a direct response to concerns that traditional PhDs aren’t well suited to careers outside of academia or research.

Consequently, the fundamental difference between a PhD and a professional doctorate is that while PhDs teach students how to conduct research to create new knowledge that improves the understanding of a field, a professional doctorate teaches a student how to evaluate, synthesise and apply existing knowledge in novel ways to a field.

Professional doctorates often lead to a specific career path depending on the degree, for example, candidates can gain advanced knowledge in the fields of engineering, business administration, education or public health. In many cases, a professional doctorate holder will qualify for certain leadership roles within their industry after completing their study.

Types of Professional Doctorates

There are many types of professional doctorates available, with the most common being:

• Doctorate of Biomedical Science (DBMS)
• Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA)
• Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)
• Doctorate of Criminal Justice Studies (DCrimJ)
• Doctorate of Education (EdD)
• Doctor of Engineering (EngD)
• Doctorate of Health Science (DHealthSci)
• Doctorate of Medical Imaging (DMedImg)
• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Doctorate in Nursing (DNursing)
• Doctorate in Pharmacy (DPharm)
• Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
• Doctor of Public Health (DrPH)
• Doctor of Security Risk Management (DSyRM)
• Doctor of Social Science (DSocSci)
• Doctor of Sport, Exercise and Health Science

Differences Between a PhD And Professional Doctorate

A PhD is a university degree whose primary objective is to develop advanced research skills and build new knowledge that can be shared with others. In comparison, a professional doctorate focuses on the application of advanced knowledge and skills, making it suitable for people working in a professional environment. Although these programs can also help researchers develop their abilities, their primary goal is to provide individuals with the ability to solve new and emerging problems within their industry.

Is a Professional Doctorate equivalent to a PhD?

Professional doctorates are equivalent to PhD degrees in the sense that one receives a doctoral degree and the title “Dr” upon completing their programme. Professional doctorates, however, focus on a specific business context and differ in the skills they offer.

Who are Professional Doctorates suited for?

Professional doctorates are aimed at individuals from the public, private and third sectors. Like all postgraduate research programmes, you will need to carry out original research with guidance of an academic supervisor. The difference is that your research is based on your own profession and strives to develop an understanding that contributes more broadly to professional practice.

You must therefore be interested in your professional environment and be able to explore it through a structured research programme that helps you to understand this professional environment in an original way.

Doctoral candidates are often working professionals with many years of experience in their field. A professional doctorate enables them to advance in their careers and leads them to senior leadership positions where they have more influence over their area of expertise.

As such, a professional doctoral degree is best suited to a person who is interested in putting their knowledge into practice in an environment such as a company, training institution or hospital.

What does a Professional Doctorate involve?

An important difference in the format of professional doctorates is the need for increased subject-specific training through taught modules about the discipline and research in general. Because of this, professional doctorates are often regarded as ‘taught doctorates’.

Through the modules, you will become familiar with the theoretical problems relevant to your professional context and reflect on how you can incorporate these into your own research project.

During a doctoral programme, a student will focus on:

• Assessing the current state of knowledge in their field,
• Evaluating a real-world problem facing their industry,
• Learn about various research methods,
• Designing and conducting a research study,
• Expanding the body of knowledge in their industry through their research findings.

A professional doctorate often ends with a thesis. This thesis identifies a real problem that the candidate investigates and proposes practical solutions for. This involves undertaking experiments, collecting results and documenting the process. In addition, general suggestions are made as to how others in their field can practically use the research findings, and other problem areas may be identified for future investigation.

While the doctoral thesis may have a lower word count compared to traditional PhD theses, for example, 50,000 words instead of 90,000 words , professional doctorates usually assign a considerable amount of written coursework alongside this. It is therefore not uncommon for professional doctorates to have a higher ‘total word count’ than PhD programmes.

Compared to PhDs, professional doctorates offer a more structured learning experience; they include taught lectures, assignments with deadlines, and the opportunity to learn with a cohort of like-minded professionals.

Is a Professional Doctorate internationally recognised?

A professional doctorate degree obtained in the UK is recognised as an international qualification by most countries; as a result, many EU and international students choose to undertake their doctorate in the UK. While most global employers recognise a professional doctorate obtained in the UK, you should ensure that this is the case in your home or destination country if you wish to work outside the UK. For example, in order to be recognised in certain countries outside the European Union, you may need to acquire a certificate depending on the requirements of the host country.

Finding a PhD has never been this easy – search for a PhD by keyword, location or academic area of interest.

How long does a Professional Doctorate take?

The duration of a professional doctorate programme largely depends on your specific course and whether you are studying full time or part time . Typically, however, a full time professional doctorate can last between two and five years , while a part time doctorate can last between three and eight years.

Since most professional doctorate students are working professionals with many years of experience, most will study part time whilst continuing their job. There are, however, exceptions to this, such as an EngD, which is predominantly conducted as a full time course .

It’s also worth noting that professional doctorates can be undertaken as a distance learning course, although not all universities offer this option. This is often the most practical solution for an international student who is unable to relocate.

What are the entry requirements for Professional Doctorates?

Entry requirements vary between each higher education institution hosting the programme, but most universities require a Masters degree in a relevant subject and significant professional experience in the same industry.

However, it should be noted that most universities will make exceptions for those who do not have a Masters degree but are strong candidates. In these cases, students are invited to an interview to determine whether they are suitable for the programme. Their success will depend on whether they have been actively involved in the development of their professional practice, through activities such as working on research projects, publishing papers, presenting at conferences and acquiring other professional qualifications.

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Graduate education reimagined for the modern workplace. Professional Doctorate PhD Designed for Industry leaders Academics & researchers Research Focus Professional practice Disciplinary theory Learning outcome Solve an industry-specific issue and design effective leadership practice Make a significant new contribution to knowledge in a field of study Culmination Capstone or Dissertation (based on applied project) Dissertation (based on original research) Completion (may vary by program) Full-time: 2-3 years, Part-time 4-5 Full-time: 5-6 years, Part-time: variable

Professional doctorates provide a new path to career growth.

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*Important Note About Continuation After Phase 1: 

• A formal doctoral assessment will be undertaken at the end of Phase 1 in which students present a portfolio of a work-product (or artifact) for continuation admission into the next phase of the program. 
• To advance to Phase 2, a student must also achieve a GPA of 2.7 or above. (B-)
• Upon successful completion of this phase, the student will be approved to continue to the next phase of the PhD in Professional Practice.

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Popular Posts

Professional Doctorate or Ph.D.: What’s the Difference and Which Is Better?

Understanding the differences between a professional doctorate and a Ph.D. is a lot more important than it used to be. That’s because the relatively new professional doctorate is growing in availability, which means it is likely growing in popularity, too.

As professional doctorates come into their own against the ever-popular Ph.D., it becomes a little more challenging to decide which one is better. While both are advanced degrees that can be great for your career, the key to answering the question of which is better starts with understanding what makes them different.   

Is a Professional Doctorate the Same as a Ph.D.?

Think of the professional doctorate (also known as an applied doctorate) and the Ph.D. as fraternal twins. They are similar, but not identical.

When it comes to similarities, both degrees are applicable to a variety of career paths, including faculty and adjunct educators and corporate professionals. Of course, some positions, such as teaching at a Tier 1 research institute, require a Ph.D. Other careers, such as analyst and consultant, do well by the applied doctorate degree.

A professional doctorate enables both subject mastery and field application whereas a Ph.D. typically is academically focused.

In short, the difference is application (professional doctorate) vs. academic (Ph.D.). Here’s a more detailed comparison of the two degrees:

Earning a doctorate is challenging and rewarding, but do you know what to really expect? Download this free guide for tips and insights to help you prepare for success.

Applied doctoral programs: 4 facts you should know.

Ultimately, only you can decide if an applied doctorate or a Ph.D. is better for you, so here are some things to know to help you decide which is right for you.

1. An applied doctorate can help you solve practical problems in your field. If new research isn’t your thing but evaluating the research of others to solve a problem, uncover an idea or innovate a solution, then an applied doctorate could be ideal.

An applied doctoral program will instruct you in the core technical aspects of quality research. It also will help you further develop and refine your communication skills and technological capabilities. With this type of terminal degree, you’ll be prepared to make logical, relevant connections between classroom learnings and real-world issues.

By combining both research and application, an applied doctorate’s research side can arm you with deeper insight, while the application side can help you make impactful organization-wide decisions to tackle issues, overcome challenges and leverage opportunities.

2. An applied doctorate can help you advance your field through applied research and development. Both the Ph.D. and the applied doctorate can help you advance your field. Both involve research.

The difference, then, is in who does the research, how the research is presented, and in what way the research is applied.

Primarily, Ph.D.s broaden their field by conducting new research and developing theories. Those who hold a professional doctorate, however, use existing theoretical research to tackle and solve challenges.

3. An applied doctorate offers non-traditional learners more flexibility. While there are exceptions, many Ph.D. programs require a full-time commitment.

If you’re looking for a professional doctorate to enhance your career and help move you to the next level without taking time off to pursue your education on a full-time basis, then an applied doctoral could offer the flexibility you need to earn it.

Here are a few things to look for as you explore both Ph.D. and applied doctorate programs:

• Online courses vs. on-campus classes
• Residency requirements
• Research focus
• Dissertation structure
• Doctoral student support and learning communities

Remember to choose the program that suits your learning style, as well as your personal and professional situation.

4. An applied doctorate can help you finish what you start. Let’s face it. It can be tough to finish a doctorate. The life changes accompanying Ph.D. studies can be disruptive and oftentimes overwhelming. Choosing the right research focus can be difficult and laborious. Financial stress, isolation, advisor process and more can be reason enough to abandon the program before completion. And the dissertation process? It can be downright intimidating. In short, earning a Ph.D. can be a long, arduous process.

An applied doctorate on the other hand, especially one that’s designed to be a 3-year, start-to-finish program, can prepare you to lead, innovate, and transform your organization. With a program that offers 360-degree support throughout the program, you’ll have the academic support and resources you need to be accountable to the program and yourself.

Professional Doctorate or Ph.D.: Which Is Right for Me?

Hopefully, you’re now better able to see the differences between a professional doctorate and a Ph.D.

The more you know about the differences–and your interests, goals, and ambitions–the more likely you are to make the best decision for your future. Just remember to prepare yourself mentally, emotionally, socially, financially and academically, and the right doctoral degree program will put you on a clear, straightforward path to earning your degree.

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Comparing the differences between MD vs. PhD vs. professional doctorate

Written by Michael Feder

Reviewed by Marc Booker , PhD,  Vice Provost, Strategy

What is a doctorate? Breaking down the three types

Some people might confuse an MD (Doctor of Medicine) with a PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), and vice versa. While both an MD and a PhD are prestigious degrees near the top of the  academic ladder , they each have a different meaning and come with very different requirements.

Different still from both of those degrees are professional doctorates, which allow industry professionals to translate their education and experience into credibility and leadership through research. Professional doctorates have similar requirements to PhDs, such as a dissertation and residency, but focus on the application of research and professional growth over original research.

Upon graduation, those who have earned any of these three degrees can call themselves a “doctor,” but the path to a degree, the purpose behind it and its applications vary based on the choice. MD graduates want to work in medicine and healthcare. PhDs want to bring new knowledge and research to the world. A practice-based doctoral graduate wants to grow in their professional expertise. (If the last one sounds like you, University of Phoenix can help!)

Keep reading to learn more about these doctoral programs and which is right for you.

What does MD stand for?

MD is an abbreviation for Doctor of Medicine and identifies a medical practitioner who has completed undergraduate studies and four years of medical school. An MD program teaches medical students about the human body and diseases through a combination of classroom instruction and hands-on clinical labs.

Several  types of physicians  might have this degree, depending on their area of study. For example, medical practitioners with an MD degree might become a medical doctor and potentially specialize in dermatology, cardiovascular disease, family medicine, oncology, pediatrics, neurology or preventive medicine. As you can see, this degree can lead to a variety of career paths, depending on which specialty interests you and what your medical education is.

How to earn an MD

Becoming a Doctor of Medicine  requires a significant investment of time and money, but the reward can be well worth it. Before medical school, you’ll need to  take the Medical College Admission Test  (MCAT®) and earn a passing score. You’ll also need to build a portfolio of coursework and experience to help you gain admittance to medical school.

Medical school typically takes students four years to complete. You’ll learn the latest techniques and approaches for patient assessment, diagnosis and treatment. Medical schools commonly provide a combination of classroom, research and clinical experience. You’ll work alongside peers and healthcare professionals as you develop skills in general medicine.

You’ll choose a field to specialize in during your final year of medical school. Students have more than 120 options to choose from when specializing, including primary care, pediatrics, geriatrics, emergency medicine and family medicine.

After graduating, you’ll complete residency training to further develop skills in your specialty. Residency typically lasts three to seven years, depending on the field you’ve selected. During the residency portion of your education, you’ll treat patients under the supervision of more experienced physicians.

Even after you begin to practice as an MD, the educational portion of your career never stops. As practices change, patient needs evolve and research continues, MDs benefit from ongoing education to stay current.

What does PhD stand for?

A PhD, or Doctor of Philosophy, is a doctoral degree that recognizes graduates who have completed a full postsecondary program. Students can earn a PhD in more fields than philosophy. After completing the necessary coursework, original research and hands-on experience, you can earn a PhD in fields like science, the humanities and engineering.

Earning a PhD can help unlock a wide range of potential career opportunities. Computer engineers, research scientists, statisticians, healthcare administrators, professors, chemists and other careers commonly require a PhD degree, in addition to appropriate undergraduate study.

How to earn a PhD

Becoming a PhD is also a serious commitment that requires an investment of time, money and energy.

Here is what’s typically required to become a PhD:

• Complete a bachelor’s degree in your field
• Complete a master’s degree in an appropriate field
• Pass any program entrance exams
• Fulfill coursework, research and hands-on lab requirements in your program
• Finalize and defend your dissertation as a  doctoral candidate  (unless your program specifies otherwise)

It’s important to note that many PhD programs have different requirements, prerequisites and parameters for students. Check with your preferred institution for a more detailed explanation of these requirements.

What is a professional doctorate?

While some professional or practice-based doctorate programs are medical,  others are designed for professionals in other fields . These programs are meant for scholar-practitioners in disciplines like education, business or psychology. One of the key differences between this degree and a PhD is the focus on applying research to a professional setting rather than conducting theoretical and research-focused studies. Often, programs are differentiated as academic versus professional.

Examples of doctoral degrees are Doctor of Education, Doctor of Nursing Practice and Doctor of Business Administration. Each of these programs focuses on a specific discipline and applying research in those areas to a professional setting.

How to earn a doctorate

While  practitioner doctoral programs  teach different skills, they all share common requirements. You’ll need to complete a bachelor’s degree in your field and sometimes a master’s degree, depending on program requirements.

After completing the necessary coursework and research, students also typically need to finish a supervised thesis and defend their dissertation or capstone project-specific coursework, research and hands-on labs alongside other students in the same field. However, this will depend on the specific program and its requirements.

What does the title “Dr.” really mean?

The term “doctor” or “Dr.” is commonly used today to describe a wide variety of occupations. Students who complete a doctoral degree can earn the title of “Dr.” even though they earned their credentials in a non-medical field like education or business management.

While a variety of professionals can earn a doctorate, the term is often still  reserved for medical practitioners . In conventional use,   doctors typically refer to medical physicians. However, it is appropriate to use “Dr.” if you graduated from any of the three programs discussed above.  

Practitioner doctoral degree programs at University of Phoenix

While University of Phoenix (UOPX) does not have MD or PhD programs, it does offer several professional doctoral degrees that can be earned completely online. Students might choose the UOPX programs because classes are flexible and offered online, and because of the University’s unique “ Scholar-Practitioner-Leader model .”

If you are curious about a doctoral degree, the following programs are available at UOPX:

• Doctor of Business Administration : This doctorate can help you gain strategic vision and skills to position yourself as a business leader. It explores how to solve organizational problems, how to design and conduct research studies, how to introduce innovative business ideas to the industry and more.
• Doctor of Management :  This doctorate equips you with critical thinking skills to find creative solutions to complex problems.
• Doctor of Education : This doctoral program prepares you to use analytical, critical and innovative thinking to improve performance and solve complex problems in education.
• Doctor of Health Administration : If you’re a health professional who is seeking greater responsibility in shaping the future of the health sector, this doctorate can help you meet the challenges inherent to today’s healthcare landscape, including economic fluctuations, burgeoning patient needs and industry-changing legislation.
• Doctor of Nursing Practice : This doctorate is designed for working nurses who require a doctorate for advanced practice or nurses who desire their terminal degree. It does not prepare students for professional certification or state licensure as a nurse or as an advanced practice nurse.

These doctoral studies are only some of the many options for professionals who want to gain the highest academic credentials in their fields. Doctoral programs offer significant benefits to program graduates, including newly developed skills, insight into field trends, hands-on research opportunities and leadership capabilities.

Completing a doctoral program is also a strong indication to employers that you’re serious about your career and your field. With so many options for advanced study, these programs are available for most major fields. Even if you have already completed a bachelor’s or master’s degree in your discipline, a doctorate lends further credibility to your reputation and can help prepare you for a leadership position.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

A graduate of Johns Hopkins University and its Writing Seminars program and winner of the Stephen A. Dixon Literary Prize, Michael Feder brings an eye for detail and a passion for research to every article he writes. His academic and professional background includes experience in marketing, content development, script writing and SEO. Today, he works as a multimedia specialist at University of Phoenix where he covers a variety of topics ranging from healthcare to IT.

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Dr. Marc Booker, University of Phoenix Vice Provost for Strategy, has more than two decades of experience working with online and distance education students at the post-secondary level. He currently oversees critical path academic initiatives to improve the student experience. Dr. Booker is a regular speaker, author and contributor to national higher education associations.

This article has been vetted by University of Phoenix's editorial advisory committee.  Read more about our editorial process.

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Professional Practice Doctoral Degree Policies

• Course and Credit Requirements 
• Mid-Program Evaluation 
• Research Assurances 
• The Doctoral Capstone and Examination 
• Procedures for the Oral Doctoral Capstone Examination 
• Submission and Publication of the Capstone 
• Additional Requirements 

The Professional Practice Doctorate is a rigorous and adaptable graduate degree that meets the evolving professional needs of strategically identified target audiences. The Professional Practice Doctoral degree is granted only upon sufficient evidence of high attainment in professional practice. It is not awarded for the completion of course and seminar requirements no matter how successfully completed. These degrees differ from the research and scholarship Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree. The following degree programs are recognized as Professional Practice Doctoral Degrees at the University of Maryland: Doctor of Education (Ed.D.) , Doctor of Musical Arts (D.M.A.) , and Doctor of Audiology (Au.D.)

Course and Credit Requirements  

The Graduate School requires that every student seeking a professional practice doctoral degree satisfactorily complete a minimum of 24 semester hours of course credits (beyond the master’s degree) and 6 semester hours of Doctoral Capstone credits (829). The required number of practice and other credit hours may be greater for particular programs.

Mid-Program Evaluation  

Professional practice doctoral programs are typically defined by two major components: didactic coursework credits and professional practice credits. The distribution and intermingling of these experiences and credits may differ by program. Programs shall perform an evaluation of each student at a point that reflects the transition to the final practice and Doctoral Capstone components of the program, referred to as either the Post-Coursework or Mid-Program Evaluation. Programs will define program outcomes and evaluation procedures, such as examinations or other substantial activities and products (e.g., Doctoral Capstone proposal) as appropriate to the professional practice doctoral program for students to successfully complete prior to pursuing the doctoral capstone.

A student must successfully complete a Mid-Program Evaluation for the doctorate within five years after admission to the doctoral program and at least six months before the date on which the degree will be conferred. It is the responsibility of the student to submit an Approved Mid-Program Evaluation Form when all the requirements have been fulfilled and the faculty have approved the student to proceed to the final phase of the program. Forms may be obtained at the Graduate School, Room 2123, Lee Building, or on the web. Paperwork must be received by the Graduate School prior to the 25th of the month in order for the advancement to become effective the first day of the following month. Professional practice doctoral students who have successfully completed the Mid-Program Evaluation are then automatically registered for a minimum of 1 Doctoral Capstone credit (e.g., 829) within their program; students are continually registered for Doctoral Capstone credits until they graduate except in special circumstances.

Research Assurances  

Where professional practice doctoral students engage in activities that require data collection or research activities involving human or animal subjects, please refer to the information below.

Human Subject Research

Everyone at the University of Maryland who is conducting research that involves human subjects must obtain approval in advance from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). The IRB is charged with approving the initiation of research involving human subjects and conducts periodic reviews of that research to ensure that all projects comply with Federal regulations. These regulations are strict, and the Graduate School urges all graduate students to consult with the IRB before beginning any research involving living subjects. For application forms and guidelines on such issues as research involving minors or prisoners, surveys, and the use of audio taping, videotaping, digital recordings, and photographs, please see the  Institutional Review Board's website .

Other Research

If the doctoral capstone involves the use of vertebrate animals, animal use protocols must be approved in advance by the Animal Care and Use Committee. If the activity involves hazardous materials, either biological or chemical, or recombinant RNA/DNA, the research must be approved by the appropriate University committee. These assurances must be approved prior to the initiation of any capstone-related research, and the approvals must be provided to the Graduate School at the time the student submits the Nomination of Examining Committee form.

The Doctoral Capstone and Examination  

A Doctoral Capstone is required of all students for a professional practice doctoral degree, with the specific requirements and outcomes determined by the degree program, unless otherwise approved by the Graduate School. The Graduate School has established the following procedures for the conduct of the doctoral capstone examination.

The Doctoral Capstone and Capstone Outcomes.  The completion of a doctoral capstone is required of all professional practice doctoral students, allowing demonstration of excellence in professional practice in the field as determined by the graduate program in which the student is earning the degree. The topic, activities, and outcomes related to the doctoral capstone are approved by the doctoral advisor and doctoral capstone committee, with the Doctoral Capstone outcomes presented and defended by the student.

Eligibility.   A student is eligible to defend a doctoral capstone if the student (a) has successfully completed the Mid-Program Evaluation, (b) has met all program requirements for a doctoral capstone examination, (c) is in good standing as a graduate student at the University, (d) is registered for at least one credit, (e) has a valid Graduate School-approved Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee, and (f) if this is the second examination, the examination has been approved by the Graduate School.

Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee Membership.   The Committee must include a minimum of five members of the Graduate Faculty, at least three of whom must be Full Members or Associate Members whose primary academic affiliation is with the University. The Chair of the Committee normally will be the student's advisor, who will be a Full or Associate Member of the Graduate Faculty, or who has been granted an exception to the policy by the Dean of the Graduate School. Each Committee will have appointed to it a representative of the Dean of the Graduate School. The Dean's Representative may be one of the five voting members. Alternatively, the Dean's Representative may not be a voting member of the Committee. Whether the Dean's Representative votes or not is a decision made by the student, primary advisor and the Dean's Representative before the Dean's Representative is nominated for approval by the Dean of The Graduate School. In addition, the Dean will ensure that there are five voting members on the Committee. Therefore, Committees that have a non-voting Dean's Representative must have at least six members (five voting members and the non-voting Dean's Representative.)

Nomination of the Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee.   Membership on a Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee requires nomination by the student's advisor and the Graduate Director of the student's professional practice doctoral program, and approval by the Dean of the Graduate School. The nomination of a Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee should be provided to the Graduate School at least six weeks before the date of the expected capstone presentation and defense. The capstone examination cannot be held until the Graduate School approves the composition of the Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee. Furthermore, if the Graduate Faculty status of any member of an approved Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee changes, the approval of the Committee may be void, and a new Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee nomination form may be required to be approved by the Graduate School.

Chair.   Each Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee will have a chair, who must be a Full Member of the Graduate Faculty, an Associate Member who has been approved by faculty, or, by special permission, has been otherwise appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School. Doctoral Capstone Examining Committees may be co-chaired; at least one of the co-chairs must be a Full or Associate Member of the University of Maryland Graduate Faculty or an individual so appointed by the Dean of the Graduate School.

Representative of the Dean of the Graduate School.   Each Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee will have appointed to it a representative of the Dean of the Graduate School. The Dean's Representative should have some background or interest related to the student's activities, and may be a voting or non-voting member of the committee. The Dean's Representative must be a tenured member of the Graduate Faculty at the University of Maryland, College Park. The Dean's Representative must be from a tenure home different than that of the student’s program, the primary advisor or co-advisors, and the dissertation examining committee chair of co-chairs (if the chairs or co-chairs are not the primary advisor or co-advisors). In the case of multi-disciplinary programs, the Dean's Representative can be a member of the program, as long as they have a different tenure home from that of the primary advisor or co-advisors and the dissertation examining committee chair or co-chairs. The person nominated to become the Dean's Representative may serve as a regular member of the student's Doctoral Graduate Committee from the time it is first convened. Alternatively, the person nominated to be the Dean's representative may be added to the Doctoral Graduate Committee at a later date and either take part in some Committee meetings including the Mid-Program Evaluation, or only join as a Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee member for the final capstone defense. In all cases, the Dean's Representative must be present for the full capstone presentation and defense and serve to adjudicate the defense.

Special Members.  Individuals from outside the University of Maryland who have been approved for Special Membership in the Graduate Faculty may serve on Doctoral Capstone Examining Committees. These Special Members must be in addition to the required three Full or Associate Members of the University of Maryland Graduate Faculty. Special Members may also co-direct Doctoral Capstone Examining Committees with a Full or Associate Member. For procedures to nominate an individual for Special Membership, please refer to the section below on Graduate Faculty.

Service of former University of Maryland faculty members.   Graduate Faculty who terminate employment at University of Maryland (and who do not have emeritus status) retain their status as members of the Graduate Faculty for a twelve-month period following their termination. Thus, they may serve as members and chairs (but not as Dean's Representatives) of Doctoral Capstone Examining Committees during this twelve-month period if they are otherwise eligible. After that time, they may no longer serve as chairs of Doctoral Capstone Examining Committees, although, if granted the status of Special Members of the Graduate Faculty, they may serve as co-chairs.

Professors Emeriti and Associate Professors Emeriti  may serve on Doctoral Capstone Examining Committees provided they are members of the Graduate Faculty.

Procedures for the Oral Doctoral Capstone Examination  

Oral Examination Requirement.   Unless otherwise approved by the Graduate School, each professional practice doctoral student is required to defend orally their doctoral capstone as a requirement in partial fulfillment of the degree.  The oral examination consists of two parts.

​ Part 1: Student Presentation. The student presents a summary of the capstone, emphasizing the key activities, important outcomes, and relevance to the practice field of the discipline, with the details of these presentations determined by the program. During Part 1, questions from the public audience to the student will be permitted. For questions from persons who are not members of the Examining Committee, the Chair of the Committee will have discretion to decide whether such questions are germane to the topic of the capstone and how much time will be allotted for them and the answers.

Part 2: Formal Examination of the Student by Members of the Examining Committee. This part will be open only to the Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee, other members of the Graduate Faculty, and graduate students from the student’s graduate program. During Part 2, only members of the Examining Committee will be permitted to ask questions. Programs may vote to establish a policy to have Part 2 be open only to members of the Examining Committee and members of the Graduate Faculty. The chair of the Examining Committee invites questions in turn from each member of the Examining Committee. The questioning may continue as long as the Examining Committee feels that it is necessary and reasonable for the proper examination of the student.

Conclusion of the Examination. After questioning has been completed, the student and any others who are not members of the Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee are asked to leave the room while the Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee discusses whether or not the capstone and its defense are satisfactory. The Committee has the following options:

To accept the capstone and the oral defense without any recommended changes and sign the Report of the Examining Committee.

To accept the oral defense, but recommend substantive revisions to the capstone and, except for the chair, sign the Report of the Examining Committee. The chair will provide the committee and student with a list of the required revisions. The chair will check that the changes to the capstone have been made, and, upon their approval, sign the Report of the Examining Committee.

To accept the oral defense, but recommend substantive revisions to the capstone and not sign the Report of the Examining Committee until the student has made the changes and submitted the revised capstone for the Examining Committee's approval. The chair will provide the committee and student with a list of the required revisions. The Examining Committee members sign the Report of the Examining Committee if they approve the revised capstone.

To recommend major revisions to the capstone and/or to deem the oral defense deficient. In this case, the committee would reconvene a closed meeting of only the Examining Committee and the student to complete the student's examination. The chair will provide the committee and student with a list of the required significant revisions to the capstone and/or deficiencies in the oral defense. The chair also will inform the program’s Director of Graduate Studies and the Dean of the Graduate School of the required revisions/deficiencies and the timeline for reconvening the Examining Committee. During the reconvened meeting, committee members’ questions will focus on the revisions to the capstone and/or the deficiencies in the prior oral defense. Ordinarily, the reconvened meeting of the Examining Committee will occur within two months after the initial meeting oral defense.

To rule the capstone (including its examination and oral defense) unsatisfactory. In that circumstance, the student fails. Following the examination, the chair, in the presence of the Dean's Representative, must inform the student of the outcome of the examination. The committee chair and the Dean's Representative both sign the Report of the Examining Committee, including a statement explaining why the capstone was deemed unsatisfactory. A copy of this statement must be included in the student's file at the graduate program office, and a copy is given to the student. This statement must be submitted to the program's Graduate Director, the Dean of the Graduate School, and the student.

​ A second examination may be permitted if the student will be in good standing at the time of the proposed second examination. A second examination requires the approval of the program's Graduate Director and the Dean of the Graduate School. 

If the student fails this second examination, or if a second examination is not permitted, the student's admission to the graduate program is terminated unless the student desires to and is eligible to change their degree objective (e.g., to a master’s degree in the same program). For more information on changing a degree objective, consult the Policy on Change of Status or Program .

Passage or Failure.  The student passes if one member refuses to sign the Report of the Examining Committee, but the other committee members agree to sign, before or after the approval of recommended changes. Two or more negative votes constitute a failure of the student to meet the capstone requirement. 

Committee Preparation.  The members of the Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee must receive any written components and related artifacts of the capstone at least ten working days before the scheduled examination. Should the Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee deem it reasonable and appropriate, it may require submission of the capstone materials more than ten working days in advance of the examination.

Attendance at the Examination.   Oral examinations must be attended by all members of the student's officially established Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee as approved by the Dean of the Graduate School. All examinations must be open to all members of the University of Maryland Graduate Faculty. Programs may wish routinely to open capstone examinations to a broader audience. In such cases, program policies must be established, recorded, and made available to all doctoral students. 

Emergency Substitution Procedure. Last-minute emergencies can prevent a committee member from attending a scheduled capstone examination. The Graduate School will work with the chair of the examining committee and/or the Director of Graduate Studies to make last-minute substitutions in committee membership to allow the examination to take place as scheduled.                                                                                                                                                                                  

The request must be sent in writing via email to the Dean of the Graduate School. A telephone call to the Graduate School explaining that an emergency request is coming will facilitate the process.

The proposed substitute must be a member of the Graduate Faculty consistent with the rules for committee membership. Thus, if the Dean's Representative (who must be a tenured faculty member) could not attend, the substitution of an untenured member of the Graduate Faculty would not be acceptable.

Once the written request has been received, the substitution will be made, usually within the hour, provided that the revised committee meets the requirements for committee membership.

When the substitution has been made, a written confirmation via email will be sent, along with a telephone confirmation. The substitution is not official, however, until the written confirmation has been received in the graduate program. A copy of the written request and the written confirmation must be placed in the student's file for future reference.

An examination that is held with one or more substitute members on the committee, but without prior written confirmation from the Graduate School that the substitution(s) have been approved, will be voided and the examination will have to be repeated.

Location and Announcements of the Examination.   Oral examinations must be held in University facilities that are readily accessible to all members of the Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee and others attending the examination. The chair of the examining committee selects the time and place for the examination.

​ Announcements of the date, time, and location of the examination, as well as the student’s name and the capstone title, will be disseminated five working days in advance to all members of the Graduate Faculty and graduate students within the graduate program in which the student’s degree is to be awarded. Mass distribution methods, such as e-mail, a faculty/student newsletter, or individual announcements are acceptable. Merely posting a paper notice on a corridor bulletin board will not constitute a sufficient announcement.

The Dean's Representative.  The Dean's Representative must be identified at the beginning of the examination. The responsibilities of the Dean's Representative include the following: ensuring that the procedures of the oral examination comply with those of the Graduate School (as described herein) and reporting to the Dean of the Graduate School any unusual problems experienced in the conduct of the examination.

Invalidation of the Examination.   The Dean of the Graduate School may void any examination not carried out in accordance with the procedures and policies of the Graduate School as pertaining to Professional Practice Doctoral degrees. In addition, upon recommendation of the Dean's Representative, the Dean may rule an oral examination to be null and void.

Remote Participation in a Capstone Defense.  Under normal circumstances, a majority of members of a Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee must be physically present in the examination room during the entire capstone presentation and defense and during the committee's private deliberations following the examination, with all other committee members present remotely for the entire duration by video teleconferencing. Participation by telephone is not permitted under any circumstances. Remote participation by video teleconferencing is permitted under the following circumstances:    

Permission to conduct a remote-participation defense must be obtained by the capstone chair from the Graduate School in advance. In making this request, the chair must indicate in writing that they have read the rules for a remote defense listed below.

The student, the committee chair (or at least one of the co-chairs), and the Dean's Representative must all be present in the examination room. None of them may be at the remote site.

Video conferencing software must be used that allows all participants to see and hear each other during the entire defense.

The remote participants must connect to the defense in a manner that will ensure that all participants are visible and audible and that the connection is stable and available throughout the scheduled time of the defense.

No more than two remote sites may be used during the capstone defense.

Units can opt to offer online synchronous viewing options even when all committee members are in-person, with the defending student’s consent.

Exceptions. Departments and graduate programs may petition the Dean of the Graduate School for exceptions to these procedures.

Submission and Publication of the Capstone  

Capstones often have written or other components relevant for submission to the Graduate School in electronic format after final approval by the Doctoral Capstone Examining Committee, as evidence of successful completion of the Doctoral Capstone. See the  University of Maryland Electronic Thesis and Dissertation (ETD) website  or the University of Maryland  Thesis and Dissertation Style Guide  for the details of this submission process. General guidelines appropriate to all culminating written projects at the university are included here. Not all capstones will have artifacts relevant to these procedures.

Additional Requirements  

In addition to those requirements specified above, each graduate program may impose additional requirements. For these requirements, consult the descriptions that appear under the graduate program listings or the special publications that can be obtained from the graduate programs or colleges.

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In this section

• What is a DTP?
• What is distance learning?
• What is a PhD?
• Professional doctorate
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Postgraduate research

What is a professional doctorate?

Professional doctorates are equivalent to a PhD but have a focus on a specific professional context. Once you have completed your professional doctorate you will have the title of doctor.

We offer the following professional doctorate degrees:

• Doctor of Social Science (DSocSci)
• Doctor of Medicine (MD)
• Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy)

Professional degrees for professionals

These programmes are designed for professionals in the public, private, and third sectors. As with any other research degree, you will - with the advice and guidance of your personal supervisor - need to produce a piece of original research. The difference is that your research will be informed by your own professional practice and will usually seek to develop understanding that contributes to professional practice more broadly.

You will, therefore, need to have an interest in your professional context and be able to explore this through a structured research programme leading to you making an original contribution to understanding of that professional context.

A different kind of research degree

A key difference in the format of professional doctorates is that you will be required to undertake a greater number of research training and discipline-specific modules. Through these modules you will develop your understanding of theoretical issues relevant to your professional context and begin thinking about what you want to look at in your research and how you will do this.

International recognition

The UK professional doctorate is an internationally recognised and respected academic qualification and many of our professional doctorate graduates come from outside the European Union. Employers across the world recognise and value the quality of a UK university education; however, you should ensure that potential employers in your country recognise the professional doctorate qualification. You may need to obtain equivalency certification at your own expense in order for your degree to be recognised outside the European Union.

Alternatively, use our A–Z index

Conduct original research and lead innovation in your field of healthcare.

Attend an open day

DProf Doctorate in Professional Practice

Year of entry: 2024

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Candidates should be senior practitioners already working at a level 8 / doctoral level in their clinical and social care professions, and possess a master's degree in the relevant discipline with a merit or above classification.

Full entry requirements

Apply online

Before you apply for our Doctorate in Professional Practice you’ll need to check you meet our entry requirements .

You'll also need to read the 'Advice to Applicants' section for more information on applying and the supporting documents you’ll require.

Programme options

Programme overview

Elevate your career as a healthcare professional in a senior clinical, non-clinical or leadership role and lead on innovations in your field of professional practice with our Doctorate in Professional Practice.

• Develop systematic, critical and comprehensive understanding of a substantial body of knowledge in order to produce a contribution to professional knowledge in your practice.
• Build on any prior research experience and develop high level research skills and advanced practice.
• Integrate and embed a programme of research into your everyday professional practice.
• Master advanced concepts and learn advanced research techniques to benefit your specialism and career.
• Support your organisations objectives and priorities by increasing your research skills and enhancing your ability to supervise applied research conducted by more junior staff.
• Work with leading academics and researchers in healthcare at a university ranked 6th in the UK (QS World University Rankings 2025).

Find out more about this programme

Visit our Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health Postgraduate research page to find out about upcoming open days and events.

Fees for entry in 2024 have not yet been set. For reference, the fees for the academic year beginning September 2023 were as follows:

• (full-time) UK students (per annum): £4,712 International, including EU, students (per annum): £26,500
• (part-time) UK students (per annum): £2,356 International, including EU, students (per annum): £13,250

Further information for EU students can be found on our dedicated EU page.

Contact details

Programmes in related subject areas.

Use the links below to view lists of programmes in related subject areas.

• Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences
• Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work
• Speech and Language Therapy

Entry requirements

Academic entry qualification overview, english language.

For applicants whose first language is not English, or if you have not studied recently in the UK, you must provide evidence of how you meet the English Language requirement.

We mainly accept IELTS or TOEFL tests. Please note IELTS and TOEFL are only valid for two years.

We require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall or TOEFL (iBT) 90 or GCSE English grade C.

Each component of the English test should meet the minimum requirement of IELTS 6.0 or 22 in TOEFL (iBT).

If your IELTS or TOEFL expires before the start of your programme, you will need to take another official English test before we can issue you with a CAS for your visa application. This is a requirement of UKVI.

For more information about English language tests see  English language requirements .

Please contact us at  [email protected]  for further information.

English language test validity

Professional entry qualification.

Applicants must hold professional registration with a regulatory, governing or accrediting body.

Application and selection

How to apply, advice to applicants.

When applying online you’ll need to select ‘Postgraduate Research’ as the ‘Level of Study’ and ‘DProf’ under ‘Academic Programme’.

You’ll also need to submit the following documents as part of the application process:

• Brief professional CV
• Information on identified training needs relevant to the project
• A research proposal consisting of a background summary (1500 words), a research proposal (1500 words) which includes aims and hypotheses, methodology (sample to be accessed, measures suitable, ethical considerations), and description of proposed analysis, impact (300 words) and a lay summary (300 words)
• A portfolio of evidence of approximately 5,000 words that demonstrates that you are working at level 8 (doctoral level professional work) (APEL equivalent to 30 credits).
• Transcripts and certificates
• Evidence of professional registration with a regulatory, governing or accrediting body.
• Employer letter of support from employer/line manager
• English language evidence , if applicable, in the form of an official English Language Certificate (IELTS or TOEFL)

Application deadline

Applications must be submitted online well in advance of your anticipated start date to be considered. You will not be able to apply after the deadline has passed.

September entry only: 15 June (year of entry)

Interview requirements

Re-applications, programme details, programme description.

The Doctorate in Professional Practice programme aims to provide you with the opportunity to:

• Create and interpret new knowledge, through original research or other advanced scholarship, of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline, and merit publication;
• Systematically acquire and understand a substantial body of knowledge which is at the forefront of the professional discipline;
• Develop the general ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, applications or understanding at the forefront of the discipline, and to adjust the project design in the light of unforeseen problems;
• Develop qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations, in professional environments.

Programme learning outcomes

At the end of the Doctorate in Professional Practice programme successful graduates are expected to be able to:

• Make informed judgements on complex issues in their specialist field, often in the absence of complete data;
• Communicate their ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences;
• Undertake applied research and development at an advanced level, contributing to the development of new techniques, ideas or approaches;
• Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of applicable techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry.
• Demonstrate the ability to lead innovation and / or specialist and educational services within their field to develop practice.

Special features

Training and development

All of our postgraduate researchers attend the Doctoral Academy Training Programme delivered by the Researcher Development team . The programme provides key transferable skills and equips our postgraduate researchers with the tools to progress beyond their research degree into influential positions within academia, industry and consultancy. The emphasis is on enhancing skills critical to developing early-stage researchers and professionals, whether they relate to effective communication, disseminating research findings and project management skills.

Teaching and learning

Teaching aims to provide grounding in embedding advanced research methods in applied clinical practice. Significant independent study is expected at doctoral level. All teaching is delivered by experienced researchers and academics at The University of Manchester. All supervisors are currently practicing in a professional discipline and/or active researchers. This enhance your learning by offering multidisciplinary applied research and professional experience.

Face to face teaching is interactive and is supported by audio-visual stimuli such as PowerPoint slides, images and videos. All units are accessible via our virtual learning environment which contains course information, recommended reading lists, assignments, lecture materials and other material related to the course.  Lecturers may set tasks to be completed via the virtual learning environment. This facilitates shared learning and networking with peers/teaching staff.

Coursework and assessment

You will be required to complete:

• completion of relevant training (e.g. 30 credits from MRes Health and Social Care)
• continuation report
• final written thesis (50-65,000 words, dependent upon discipline requirements)
• viva examination

You will be required to take the lead on developing the research question, proposal, conducting the data collection, analysis and dissemination. You will be supervised and mentored throughout the research project. All research projects are subject to University Ethical Approval protocols and require attendance at an ethics committee meeting. Supervisors, or a nominated representative, may also attend this meeting.

You will be given detailed formal feedback from their supervisors, with clear guidance on how to improve on skills and knowledge.

There may be additional summative assignments required from the taught units selected by students. Details of specific assessments for each unit are contained in the unit specifications. Units available to will be contained in the programme handbook. Assessments are conducted in line with University guidance.

What our students say

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