Professional Doctorate

Schedule of Qualification Categories

Entrance Standard

The normal requirement for admission is a:

• Bachelor Degree with honours (class IIA or above) in same or cognate field; or
• Masters degree by research; or
• Qualification which in the opinion of the Research Graduate School Committee are equivalent or a satisfactory substitute.

A faculty will often also require relevant professional experience in the field as determined by the faculty.

Duration

Duration is consistent with cumulative sequential study in the field for seven to eight years.  This would comprise four years of study at undergraduate level including an honours year (or equivalent), followed normally by three to four years of postgraduate research (or a minimum of two years full-time equivalent to a maximum of four years full-time equivalent study).

Exit Standard

The Professional Doctorate is a program which while research-based is oriented to the improvement of professional practice. Professional doctorates require the advanced application of existing knowledge and technology to professional fields like education, psychology, law, information technology, public health and business.

Professional Doctorate candidates must demonstrate that they have:

1. sound research skills, ethics and practices;
2. a good understanding of the role of their research in professional practice;
3. a broad practical knowledge;
4. a critical understanding of the literature, theories, methodologies and/or debates;
5. effective work practices and collaborative skills; and
6. good presentation and communication skills.

Examiners will expect the work to:

1. make a significant contribution to knowledge and understanding of the field of professional practice concerned;
2. contain material worthy of publication in a form suitable to the discipline; and
3. have a satisfactory format and literary presentation.