Professional Doctorate - No Dissertation or Research Project

[cookderosa]

Traditionally, professional doctorates and scholarly doctorates differ primarily on the basis of the thesis. Scholarly doctorates typically require original and significant contribution to theory. This is typically done by either building or testing theory, fills a new niche in the field, and builds on the work of others.

Professional doctorates typically do not require original, significant contributions to scholarship. Instead, they tend to require significant contributions to practice instead of scholarship.

Typically, the PhD is a scholarly doctorate while other, alternative titles (EdD, DBA, etc.) are professional. However these lines are sometimes blurred, with such degrees still requiring an original and significant contribution to scholarship.

Blurring things further are doctorates that do not require a thesis/dissertation at all. Some require a comparable (or, at least, substantive) project, but others without the requirement are emerging.

Finally, there are first professional doctorates. These are not really doctoral degree programs, despite their titles. They are entry-level credentials for certain professions that, typically (there's that word again) call their practitioners "doctor." The MD, OD, DO, DC, DDS, and (recently emerging) the DNP are examples.

While we're at it, let's clear something up about the title "doctor." Yes, academics who have completed a doctorate are fully entitled to the use of the title. In fact, scholarly doctorates pre-date professional doctorates by hundreds of years and is based in scholarship, designating an advanced scholar (and often faculty member) of a university. Applying the title "doctor" to physicians, dentists, and the like stems from their profession; the degrees came later.

Is it appropriate to refer to one's self as "doctor"? For both medical professionals and academics, IMHO, only when it's relevant in a professional setting. Even then, it's not really necessary most of the time.

Is it appropriate to refer to someone else as "doctor"? Sure. It goes for both medical professionals and academics. But it's not important and it would be really rude to correct someone unnecessarily.

The disruption of education (thank you, technology) will change the niceties and etiquette that have previously dictated the understanding of what a doctorate is / is not. No question in my mind we'll see expansion and morphing of the degree- academic research or professional.
Since fewer schools are accredited to award doctors, it will take longer, but it's coming.......