Doctor of Professional Studies (DPRS)

Back to top Program aims The aim of this program is to provide experienced professionals with doctoral level research opportunities (and some coursework as required) that will engage issues and develop original knowledge that is relevant and meaningful to their professional capabilities, helps to build capacity in their practice environments / communities and helps to contribute to their self-awareness and intellectual independence.

Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Completion of an Australian university Bachelor degree with honours or a Master's degree or equivalent, and
• A minimum of five years' work experience in the chosen field of professional practice
• English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 3.

Admission is by written application and interview.Anyone wishing to gain entry to the program on the basis of equivalent qualifications and/or experience should contact the University for consideration for admission on this basis.

All students are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements.

If students do not meet the English language requirements they may apply to study a University-approved English language program. On successful completion of the English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.

Program objectives

On successful completion of the program, students should be able to:

• Identify work place issues, possible solutions and change initiatives
• demonstrate working at the leading edge of practice underpinned by theoretical understanding
• develop cognitive skills that demonstrates intellectual independence and a high level of critical thinking in generating original knowledge
• contribute to the advancement of knowledge relating to professional practice and leadership in their chosen profession
• apply knowledge and skills at a doctoral level acquired through research training embedded in the program to plan and execute original research
• integrate empirical, methodological and theoretical knowledge that engages current work-based issues and contributes to their practice as a professional
• demonstrate the capacity to add value to, and to help to sustain, contemporary learning communities in their profession
• demonstrate awareness of ethical dilemmas and conflicting values which may arise in professional practice and work situations
• take into account complex, unpredictable, specialised work contexts requiring innovative approaches, which involve exploring current limits of knowledge and, in particular, interdisciplinary approaches and understanding
• develop and extend a commitment to lifelong education and to fulfilling their own lives, organisational aims and those of others
• demonstrate communication skills to explain and present a complex investigation of originality for external examination against international standards for dissemination amongst peers and the community both nationally and internationally.