A professional doctoral degree is undoubtedly the highest educational accomplishment one can get. Depending on your institution of choice, the arrangement you have for the completion of your doctorate. While there might be several differences across several programs, there are still a few common stages that all professional doctorate students need to go through. If you are undertaking a bachelor’s or Master’s degree, here are certain steps you need to take to ensure the successful completion of your course.
Basic Steps To Pursue A Professional Doctorate Degree
Here are some of the important stages you need to undergo to complete your doctoral degree. However, depending on your faculty and institution you might have to need to fulfill some additional requirements.
1. Undertaking Your Undergraduate Degree
The primary step towards your doctorate journey is acquiring an undergraduate degree. Make sure you select a Bachelor’s degree program that aligns with your future career goals and objectives. Additionally, while selecting a college or university cross check if the institution is accredited and if the certificate is globally recognised.
It typically takes 4 years to complete your undergraduate degree, however, some organizations offer the self-paced version so the duration might vary. Furthermore, to set a proper base for your doctoral program maintain a high Grade Point Average (GPA).
2. Complete Your Master’s Degree
After completing a Bachelor’s degree, it is essential to join a master’s degree program. It principally focuses on the professional practice of applied and theoretical topics of the subject you selected or a precise field of study. It usually takes 2 years to complete.
While choosing the best institute for yourself consider factors like fees, scholarships (if any), accreditation, recognition, your preferred field of choice, curriculum, etc. Once you select an organization that best suits your requirements, you can go ahead and enroll yourself.
3. Coursework
This holds significant importance during your professional doctorate journey. Since you have already completed the prerequisites, you are skilled to take your educational qualifications one step further and develop your knowledge. Begin the progression of brainstorming ideas for dissertation topics or potential research.
Make sure to narrow your interests instead of going broad. Most organizations and universities have around 1 year to complete the coursework during the first year. The fundamental process incorporates writing a literary review to showcase your comprehension work.
4. Residency
This is something, not all professional doctorates require. But depending on what you are learning you may be required to attend at least one residency program. The step offers proper structure, training, and comprehensive feedback to direct you through the development of research plans.
Students work on various activities that prepare them for inclusive examinations instead of attending regular lectures. Residency programs also deliver numerous stages of approval for the methodology and research topic. It allows you to develop the required skills and knowledge to conduct independent research.
5. Comprehensive Examinations
These exams might be composed of only written or oral or both. The exam pattern depends on the field you have selected, your study, and your organization. The purpose of these exams is to ensure that the candidate is knowledgeable enough about their area of research.
The faculty’s goal is to evaluate your enthusiasm so that you can start your new project. The new venture can either be a thesis, project-based idea, or activity research.
6. Dissertation
Dissertation is an essential milestone you need to cross while trying to complete your doctoral study. All doctoral degrees do not need a dissertation however, depending on your study area and organization it might be a must. You will select a topic based on your major area of focus.
The main objective of a dissertation on a professional doctorate program is to advance in science and the practice of the profession through original research. This allows you to contribute to new knowledge, practice, and theories in your arena through unique investigation. The process is normally time-consuming and research and writing form the most tedious parts of the program.
7. Approval
Once your thesis writing is finalized, the final task would be to get your project accepted. You will need to submit your work to the designated faculty and wait for their approval. The approval differs from program to program and might often involve the university’s dean who has the final say.
While deciding on the acknowledgement you will be questioned in detail about your work and from where you have drawn your inferences. After an exhaustive examination, once all the approvals have been acknowledged, you will receive your professional doctorate certificate.
Complete Your Doctorate Program With Ease
While enrolling for a professional doctorate, it is essential to understand that it is not equal to a Ph.D. While considering this route there are a few things that you need to consider. With the world moving to the virtual era, more and more students are looking for online degree courses from a globally recognized and internationally accredited organization.
Once you have this credential, you are not only eligible for top-level positions but can also expect a huge earning potential. Thus, expand your career by earning this degree and fit yourself into a more demanding lifestyle.