The impact of professional doctorates in the workplace: evidence from the criminal justice sector

ABSTRACT

This study explores the impact of professional doctorates in the workplace in the specific context of the criminal justice sector, through a qualitative study of practitioners who have graduated from professional doctorates in criminal justice and security risk management. A thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 25 graduates was undertaken to identify the nature and extent of impact on their workplaces. The study suggests that professional doctorates may potentially have a significant impact on the workplace, but the actual extent is shaped by three interrelated factors: the motivations of students, the role of their employer and the nature of the programme in which they are enrolled. The article concludes with a discussion of the implications for how institutions could design and deliver professional doctorate programmes in order to extend workplace impact.

KEYWORDS:

• Professional doctorates
• impact
• professional practice
• criminal justice
• workplace

Acknowledgments

I would like to acknowledge the contributions of the 25 graduates who participated in the interviews, and the reviewers for their helpful comments.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jane Creaton

Jane Creaton is Professor of Higher Education and Associate Dean (Academic) in the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Portsmouth. Her current research interests include doctoral education, postgraduate mental health and well-being, and leadership and management in higher education.