Quality and Standards: The Challenge of the Professional Doctorate

Abstract

This paper traces the development of professional doctorates within UK higher education and highlights some of the issues relating to quality and standards that have emerged. It is based on a review of the literature in the field, which is limited at present; interviews with a number of programme directors and examiners; and the personal experience of the author as director of two professional doctorate programmes. It should also be noted that the author has supervised over twenty PhD students and is therefore experienced in both PhD and professional doctorate programmes The paper is not based on an extensive research project, but rather represents personal reflection by an experienced practitioner in the field.