Doctor of Professional Studies (DPST) - DProfSt

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The program is a Level 10 qualification and complies with the guidelines of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).

Program focus

Professional studies’ is a term used to classify academic programs which are applied or interdisciplinary in focus. Professional studies combines theory and practice-based professional learning, focusing on bodies of knowledge that are aligned with multi-disciplinary practice environments rather than more traditional single-discipline focused academic studies. Students combine research design and analysis of work-based project observations in order to culminate in enhanced skills and knowledge that meet the requisite doctoral academic qualification standards and superior professional practice.

This Doctor of Professional Studies program is designed to recognise and develop individual professionalism at the highest level. It is a work-based professional doctorate directed at providing an opportunity to students to acquire a systemic and critical understanding of a substantial and complex body of knowledge at the frontier of their area of professional practice. With research and structured learning as defining characteristics of the program, graduates will have the knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, authoritative judgement, adaptability and responsiveness in their professional practice.

The program is especially designed for professionals wishing to develop capabilities that are in the lead areas of their practice. Experienced individuals from the private, public or voluntary sectors are able to negotiate their own customised program to suit their professional development objectives and working environment. There is a growing demand for doctoral qualifications that are related to actual work activities and practitioner expertise in the specific situations of employees and organisations.

The program is therefore unique in its appeal in that it provides direct benefits to both employees and organisations. Outcomes may include contributing to significant and measurable work-based projects that have a direct impact on identifying work place issues, developing change initiatives, finding solutions to work place problems and shifts in organisational strategy. The program therefore creates original knowledge for professional use through research and development projects undertaken during the program.

Program objectives

On successful completion of the Doctor of Professional Studies 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; and

• 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.

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

Admission is by written application and interview. To be considered for entry, an applicant must normally possess a bachelor’s degree with honours or a master’s degree from an Australian University or equivalent, and have the equivalent of at least five years' experience in their field. 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.

How to apply

Domestic students

Application for postgraduate programs may be made directly to USQ.

International students

This program is offered to international students. An international student is a person who is not an Australian or New Zealand citizen and not an Australian permanent resident. Please refer to USQ International for information about entry requirements, visa arrangements and how to apply.

Program fees

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.
Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who reside outside Australia pay full tuition fees.
Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called FEE-HELP.

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, via distance education/online. You are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the Course Fee Finder.

Program structure

The Doctor of Professional Studies program requires the completion of 24 units. The program structure comprises three sections:

1. Compulsory completion of the courses WRP9000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies A and WRP9001 Fundamentals of Professional Studies B comprising 4 units if the course or its equivalent has not been completed before. These courses provides a program of structured learning that prepares students in developing their research methodology, ethical considerations, reflective practice, project principles and learning planning and culminates in a learning portfolio (or equivalent) and project proposal for assessment and confirmation of candidature.

2. Optional elective postgraduate coursework. Students may elect to enrol in up to four units of advanced coursework, at postgraduate level, from the Faculty of Arts or another faculty at the University of Southern Queensland. The intention of this option is to include coursework in the structured work-based research project proposal that will enhance the student’s capacity to make a significant contribution to original knowledge in their professional practice. Normally students will need to receive the prior approval of the program coordinator before enrolling in the elective courses and necessary incorporation is agreed in relation to their work-based research projects.

3. Work-based research projects: up to 20 units WRP9002 Work-Based Research Project. Students are required to complete independent supervised study in a work-based context that culminates in a dissertation (minimum 60,000 words) or equivalent body of work prepared for external examination. Students are required to enrol in WRP9002 Work-Based Research Project recurringly, subject to good progress, until the final work to be examined has been submitted.

After completion of the compulsory course WRP9000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies A, students will be assigned an academic supervisor for the remaining study period. Students will also receive guidance and support from a team of academic consultants who are drawn from across the university and industry as aligned with the multi-disciplinary nature of each student’s professional practice.

Program completion requirements

Award of a Doctor of Professional Studies requires the successful external examination of the student’s dissertation of research outcomes, work based research project/s and professional learning (minimum 60,000 words).

Required time limits

Students have a maximum of 8 years and a minimum of 3 years to complete this program.

IT requirements

Computer literacy is now expected as part of professional life, and as an integral element in the studying and learning process. Students must have reliable and ready access to e-mail and the internet. Broadband access would be a significant advantage.

Students are referred to recommended hardware and software requirements at http://www.usq.edu.au/current-students/support/computing/hardware.

Twenty-four hour computer access is available at USQ.

Exit points

Students must maintain good standing in this program. These are assessed on a per-semester basis and are required for further enrolment. Students’ completion of WRP9000 Fundamentals of Professional Studies A and WRP9001 Fundamentals of Professional Studies B are required in determining the students’ confirmation of candidature to continue their doctoral studies. Students who do not pass these courses exit the program without further award.

The award of Master of Professional Studies may be recommended by doctoral program examiners in the event of an unsuccessful examination of the WRP9002 Work-Based Research Project dissertation or equivalent work submitted for examination

The Master of Professional Studies may also be awarded to a student seeking to exit from the doctoral program by submitting work associated with their progress for independent examination at the requisite Master of Professional Studiesdegree level. The requirements of the Masters qualification must be fully met, with final reports completed, examined and passed.

In this section:

• Recommended enrolment patterns
• Recommended enrolment pattern

Recommended enrolment patterns

Students may be admitted to the program at the beginning of Semester 1 or Semester 2 or Semester 3. Students enrol in the 2 unit course WRP9002 Work-Based Research Project prior to the commencement of each semester. Note: The research project is structured as a maximum of ten x 2-unit courses for accounting and administrative purposes.

Recommended enrolment pattern