Professional Practice DProf (Business)

Program Overview

The DProf Professional Practice at Middlesex University is a part-time distance learning program designed for senior managers and executives. It combines reflective practice, advanced business knowledge, and practice-based research to enhance professional capabilities and prepare graduates for leadership and management positions. The program is tailored to individual needs and interests, allowing participants to specialize in a chosen area.

Program Outline

Degree Overview: The Business School's DProf is designed to raise the level of professional capabilities of practicing senior managers and executives. It does this by developing your skills of reflective practice, by enhancing your knowledge of leading-edge areas of business, and by providing an opportunity to develop your capabilities in practice-based research by means of a major research project.

• Busy senior managers and executives who want to gain new insights and perspectives into leadership and management based on critical exploration of their own evolving professional practice.
• Individuals wishing to improve their capability to lead and manage change in an established or new organisation without having to seek time off for formal study.

Key features of the DProf:

• It is the professional equivalent of the academic PhD (Doctor of Philosophy), but designed specifically to support participants in undertaking practice-based research into their workplace activities.
• While the knowledge gained from this research is equally rigorous to the PhD, it is distinctive in that the participant is placed at the centre of their research investigation, and their findings tend to be highly applicable within their organisation
• It provides participants with the opportunity to enhance their professional capabilities at an advanced level.
• Participants' study paths and projects are tailored to meet their individual needs and interests, and those of their organisations
• Each participant may choose a subtitle for their doctoral award which reflects their chosen specialism.

Outline:

Course Structure

This part-time distance learning course is divided into three main phases:

• Phase 1: (minimum of one semester)
• Phase 2: (minimum of one semester)
• Phase 3: (minimum of three further years)

Core Modules:

Phase 1

• Review of professional capability (30 credits)
• This module allows participants to demonstrate their preparedness for the high-level work required on the doctoral program.
• Recognition of prior learning &/or elective modules (up to 90 credits)
• Participants can submit claims for the academic accreditation of prior learning, typically in an organisational context.
• Alternatively, they can take elective modules focusing on reflective practice skills, practitioner research skills, and specific professional capabilities.

Phase 2

• Planning an advanced practitioner research programme (60 credits)
• Participants design and plan doctoral research projects aimed at developing their capabilities as practitioner-researchers.
• The outcome of this module is a Learning Agreement, outlining the project, research approach, and expected outcomes.

Phase 3

• Project (360 credits)
• Recognition of Prior Learning &/or Elective Modules: Participants can claim academic accreditation for prior learning in an organizational context or take elective modules focusing on reflective and research skills, and specific professional capabilities.
• Planning an Advanced Practitioner Research Programme: In this module, participants design and plan doctoral research projects aimed at developing their capabilities as practitioner-researchers.
This leads to the creation of a Learning Agreement outlining the project, research approach, and expected outcomes.
• Project: This module is the core of the final phase, allowing participants to apply research skills to a project focusing on their evolving role as change leaders within their organization.
The project aims to generate significant outcomes in terms of personal professional development, organizational benefits, and broader relevance to the professional community.

Assessment:

• Assessment methods vary depending on the module.
• Examples include written assignments, research proposals, presentations, and the final project.
• Assessment criteria focus on demonstrating critical thinking, research skills, and the ability to apply knowledge to real-world situations.

Teaching:

• The program is delivered entirely through distance learning using modern communication technologies.
• This includes online resources, discussion forums, email, and video conferencing.
• Each participant receives support from a dedicated academic advisor throughout their studies.

Careers:

• The DProf prepares graduates for senior leadership and management positions in various organizations.
• It equips them with the skills and knowledge to lead change, improve organizational performance, and contribute to their professional communities.
• Graduates can pursue careers in consulting, government, education, or the private sector.

Other:

• The program offers opportunities for participants to network with peers and professionals in their field.
• Participants can choose a subtitle for their doctoral award reflecting their chosen specialism.
• The program aims to equip participants with the skills and knowledge to become effective change leaders and contribute to the advancement of their professions.