Professional Doctorate

What Is a Professional Doctorate?

A professional doctorate is a doctoral-level degree for experienced professionals who want to translate their industry expertise into a higher position of credibility, leadership, and influence in their profession. Although PhD programs and professional doctorate programs share many similarities, there is a fundamental difference between the programs when it comes to the independent research phase.

Doctoral Study for Professional Doctorate Programs

A professional doctorate program recognizes your practical work experience and mastery of areas, such as business administration, social work, or information technology. Consequently, your doctoral research focuses primarily on applying existing theories and knowledge to solving a real-world problem. By comparison, PhD students focus on developing new ideas, perspectives, and theories that add to the body of knowledge in their field.

As a professional doctorate program student, you will learn research methods, plan your research, and present your findings in a scholarly paper called a doctoral study. The study’s purpose is to make an original contribution to your field by creating a practical solution to a real problem in the workplace. The study identifies the problem, presents your methodology, describes your project, and highlights observations about your findings and your practical solution. The doctoral study’s components demonstrate your competence in research, subject matter expertise, and your command of critical thinking and academic writing.

Research Dissertation for PhD Programs

By comparison, the main purpose of an online PhD program is to develop advanced research skills and create new knowledge to share with other professionals in your field by means of rigorous research and a dissertation. The culmination of the doctoral program consists of:

An oral defense of your research dissertation to the doctoral committee.

A final research dissertation which identifies the research problem, provides a literature review, defines your research methods, reveals your findings, and ends with a summary, conclusions, and implications.

Online Professional Doctorate vs. PhD Program

Which is best for you? It depends on your career aspirations. A PhD program from an online university may be best if you want to:

Participate in a traditional doctoral dissertation that results in a scholarly paper.

Expand your knowledge and expertise in a specific area with an emphasis on academic research.

Publish research as an expert author.

Transition into a faculty teaching position in higher education.

Serve as a leader and expert within your organization.

An online professional doctorate may be a better choice if you want to:

Deepen your understanding of the functional disciplines of your profession.

Participate in action research based on real-world issues related to your current work.

Provide practical solutions and to current problems.

Serve as an authority and leader in your profession.

Promote positive change in your industry.

Types of Professional Doctorates

Walden University offers several accredited online professional doctoral programs:

Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) features a choice of 11 specializations, from Accounting to Healthcare Management.

Doctor of Education (EdD) features a choice of thirteen specializations, including Educational Administration and Leadership, Special Education, Higher Education and Adult Learning, and much more.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) is a general professional doctorate program.

Doctor of Public Health (DrPH) features two options: Track I which is a faster track if your master’s degree is in public health, or Track II if your master’s degree is not in public health.

Doctor of Social Work (DSW) features three specializations, including Advanced Clinical Practice and Supervision, Impact Leadership in Social Work Administration, and Social Work Education.

Programs available for study:

Business Administration and Entrepreneurship

The Business Administration and Entrepreneurship pathway is designed for students interested in business administration, accounting, sports management, general/hospitality management, cosmetology, and culinary arts. This pathway will prepare you for careers such as an accountant, supervisor, chef, business owner or cosmetologist.

Communication, Fine Arts & Social Sciences

The Communication, Fine Arts & Social Sciences pathway is designed for students interested in communication, languages, music, art, drama, history, political science, philosophy, psychology and sociology.

Architecture, Aviation, and Automotive

The Architecture, Aviation, and Automotive pathway is designed for students interested in architecture, construction trades, aviation technology, and automotive technology. This pathway will prepare you for careers in air conditioning, automotive specialization, diesel systems, diesel/heavy equipment, collision/refinishing autobody, architectural design, visual technology, aviation maintenance, aviation composites, building maintenance, computer aided drafting and pipe drafting and design.

Industrial Technology

The Industrial Technology pathway is designed for students who have interest in areas such as environmental lab technology, industrial machining applied technology, non-destructive testing, process technology, and welding. This pathway will prepare you for careers such as a certified Machinist, Millwright, Process Technology Operator, Welder, Instrumentation Technician, Non-Destructive Testing Technician, and an Environmental/Petrochemical Lab Technician. All have certifications or an Associate in Applied Science Degree.

Kinesiology & Education

The Kinesiology and Education pathway is designed for students who have interest in areas such as kinesiology, personal training, child development, and teaching. This pathway will prepare you for careers such as coaching, public school paraprofessional (teacher aide), fitness instructors, entry level work in the recreation field, child care teacher/teacher assistant/or director, family day home provider, Latchkey worker, camp counselor, VISTA volunteer, and public/private school teacher.

Public Service

The Public Service pathway is designed for students who have interest in areas such as criminal justice, law enforcement, fire science, EMT, human services, court reporting, paralegal studies, and occupational health and safety. This pathway will prepare you for careers such as Police Officer, Corrections Officer, Firefighter, EMT, Paramedic, Paralegal, Court Reporter, OSHT/Safety Technician, Child Protective Services and Human Services professionals.

STEM

The STEM pathway is designed for students who have interest in areas such as the sciences, computer science and information technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Health Sciences

The Health Sciences pathway is designed for students who have interest in areas such as allied health, dental and imaging technology, and nurse education. This pathway will prepare you for careers in nursing, dental, and hospital settings.