Professional doctorates have existed in the UK for only ten years. The qualification emerged in 1992 in part as a response to government fears that the PhD qualification was not meeting the needs of industry. The last decade has seen rapid growth in the number of professional doctorates offered in an increasing range of professional fields. But their growth raises a number of issues not least how to ensure consistent quality and standard of the qualification, suggests researcher Professor Ingrid Lunt, of the Institute of Education, London.
Researchers undertook an exploratory study of three professional doctorates (engineering (EngD), business administration (DBA) and education (EdD)) through case study visits to 12 universities. "We aimed to provide new insight into the nature of professional doctorates and their relationships with the workplace, in particular to consider how the professional doctorate influences participants' lives and employment culture, how universities organise professional doctorates, and the relationship between professional and academic knowledge," explains Professor Lunt.
Findings suggest very noticeable differences between the EngD qualification and the DBA and EdD. "The impact of the professional doctorate on careers was most clearly evident for research engineers taking the EngD," she points out. "The programmes were clear about their purpose and desired outcomes and participants had a clear reason and motivation for participation." The EngD is highly valued in the workplace and EngD places are much sought after in some universities. In contrast, the value and impact of the DBA and EdD is more uncertain in the workplace although at the individual level it clearly enhances skills or professional development.
The study concludes that the support of relevant research councils and continuing dialogue between professional bodies and universities is vital to the future development of professional doctorates.