Policy Framework for Professional Doctorates by Coursework

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DI    Definition of professional doctorate

A course oriented to the informed and critical application of knowledge to problems and issues concerning the professions or professional practice.

D2    Purposes

To provide advanced study and reflection on practice for professionals of standing by drawing on their professional experience and expertise and by extending it.  The professional doctorate is also intended to develop closer links and associations between the University and senior professionals; to nurture future leaders within the professions and to contribute to the understanding and development of professional practice in various fields.

D3    Duration

D3.1    Standard duration.  

A professional doctorate by coursework normally consists of 72 credit points taken over a period of six semesters of full-time study or its equivalent period of part-time study.

D3.2    Minimum duration

The minimum duration is five semesters of full-time study or its equivalent part-time.  (This normally applies when advanced standing is granted by the Division.)

D3.3    Deferment or postponement

During a period of enrolment a candidate may in the same way as an undergraduate student apply for approval by the Division of a deferment or postponement on medical or personal grounds.  The policy on whether deferments or postponements are counted in the total period of study is the same as that for undergraduate courses.

D3.4    Maximum duration

The maximum period of study for professional doctorate by coursework degree, from the date of enrolment to the date of course completion, is ten semesters of full-time study.  If part-time study is included, the maximum period of study is 16 semesters.

D4    Minimum requirements for structure

D4.1    A professional doctorate by coursework consists of 72 credit points, comprising:

(a)    at least 36 credit points at D level, including:

§        a research component of at least 24 credit points but less than 48 credit points; and

§        coursework subjects to make up the balance where the research component is less than 36 credit points;

(b)   the remaining credit points to be taken as coursework subjects at M or D level.

D4.2    A professional doctorate consists of a combination of coursework and a research component.  The research component should comprise at least one third (ie at least 24 credit points) and must be less than two-thirds (ie less than 48 credit points).

D4.3    Award title

Doctor of (field of study)

D5    Bridging and additional studies

The Head of School, on the recommendation of the course convenor, may require a candidate to satisfactorily complete some preparatory or complementary studies as an additional condition of admission, provided the accredited Determination of Course Particulars states that such additional studies may be required.  These studies would normally be required at M level, and may be taken concurrently.

D6    Minimum admission requirements

D6.1    An applicant seeking admission to the professional doctorate program normally shall:

(a)    have a degree of bachelor in the relevant professional field; or a degree of bachelor in any field plus a completed graduate qualification involving at least one year of full-time studies or part-time equivalent in the relevant professional field (eg a graduate diploma or coursework masters); and

(b)   have at least five years professional practice in the relevant field; and

(c)    demonstrate evidence of professional experience emphasising work done of a recognised high professional standing.

D6.2    The School administering the program will be responsible for determining any special admission requirements to the School’s program through the accreditation process.

D7    Advanced standing

Students must obtain at least half of the number of credit points for the course from studies undertaken at the University.

A School may grant up to 24 credit points of advanced standing on the basis of studies taken at the equivalent level.

A School may only grant advanced standing in elective subjects on the basis of an incomplete course of study.

No advanced standing can be granted for the research component of the program.

D8    Coursework and research components

D8.1    The coursework component should ensure an appropriate depth of knowledge, understanding, analysis and skills in the field of intended research.  Coursework may incorporate research training elements or workplace focussed research activities.

D8.2    The research component may take a range of forms of creative work, for example a thesis, a portfolio or exhibition, film, or performance.  If the creative work is presented in a medium other than a thesis, the candidate shall also provide an explanatory treatise which:

(a)    explains the contextual and theoretical underpinning of the work; and

(b)   analyses its content and/or offers reflection on its relevance to professional practice.

D8.3    The research component must be at D level.

D8.4    The research component should contribute to professional practice and should be in a form which enables public access.

D9    Supervision and assessment for course including a research component consisting of a creative work.

D9.1    Supervision

The responsibilities for supervision of the research component of a professional doctorate by coursework rest with the same individuals and committees as is the case for a creative work undertaken in a professional doctorate by research program.  These responsibilities are set out in the document Higher Degrees by Research: Policy and Procedures, (Gold Book) in Appendix 1.

D9.2    Assessment

The research component will be examined by at least  three examiners, at least two of whom must be external to the University.  In the case of a doctoral candidate also being a staff member of the University, all three examiners must be external to the University.  The examiners will have continuing professional or research experience in the candidate’s field.  At least one of the examiners must be an academic who has a doctoral degree or a favourable research reputation in a relevant field.  Depending upon the form of the research component, the examination may be by a jury or other professional panel of three or more members, appointed in accordance with the procedures set out in the Gold Book. 

The relevant Divisional Committee* will determine whether the course requirements for a professional doctorate by coursework have been completed by considering the results of the coursework requirements and the recommendations of the examiners of the research component, in accordance with the procedures set out in the Gold Book.

D10             Responsibility for Professional Doctorates

D10.1  The Divisional Education or Higher Degrees Committee* will administer and monitor the course through the course convenor and will consider recommendations on matters relating to the administration of professional doctorate coursework programs including:

(a)    applications

(b)   appointments of supervisors for the research component

(c)    appointments of examiners of the research component

(d)   student results

(e)    deferments, extensions

(f)     changes to the course(s) and

(g)    variations of course requirements for individual students.

In each School offering coursework professional doctorate programs, there should be a designated member of staff to whom enquiries about the course(s) may be directed.  Normally this will be the course convenor.

D10.2            Academic Board is responsible for the development of policy on professional doctorate degrees by coursework, on the recommendation of the University Education Committee and the University Higher Degrees Committee.

(*Relevant Divisional committee to be clarified, depending on outcomes of the Review of the Postgraduate Program and review of the Gold Book by the University Higher Degrees Committee.)