The Doctor of Professional Practice is designed for experienced practitioners to develop advanced knowledge and skills relevant to their professional context. It equips mature professionals to develop their research competency and their critically reflective practice, and to further develop their theoretical knowledge.
Students undertake advanced coursework and independent supervised research, integrating critical thinking, spiritual awareness, and theological engagement with a body of knowledge and lived experience through enquiry-based research to address complex problems and initiate positive and sustainable change in their professional context. By engaging with theory and practice, candidates contribute in significant ways to the application of knowledge and/or practice within diverse professional contexts.
Students then complete a research project of not more than 65,000 words and submit at least one article or equivalent to a peer-reviewed publication.
Graduates of the program are strategically innovative and collaborative practitioners who integrate understandings of self, profession, systems, and context.
Critically analyse existing knowledge and practice to develop new solutions and concepts for advancing professional practice.
Integrate insights into self, profession, systems and context with theoretical, ethical and theological understanding to empower critically reflective praxis.
Evaluate, design, and justify the choice of appropriate research and investigative approaches to examine and solve issues of professional practice.
Communicate and disseminate research data and findings to peers and diverse professional bodies with sensitivity and spiritual awareness.
Exhibit autonomy, considered judgement, and thought leadership in professional practice.
Course structure
The Doctor of Professional Practice consists of 432 points.
Students must complete Year 1 before proceeding to Year 2. This requires:
successful completion of the eight core units with an average mark of 70%
successful application for confirmation of candidature, including approval of the proposed research project.
Research (Years 2 and 3)
Students complete a research project of not more than 65,000 words (inclusive of all elements except the bibliography) and undergo independent examination by at least two external expert examiners of international standing.
The research project constitutes an advancement of knowledge in the context of professional practice through systematic and critical understanding of a complex field of learning and specialised, independent research skills.
Research projects may be presented in one of the following forms:
a thesis of 65,000 words
an exegeted research project or report
a publication portfolio and meta-analysis
an exegeted non-traditional research output (NTRO).
Students must submit at least one journal article or book chapter or equivalent to a peer-reviewed publication during the period of candidature.
Students who do not complete the course of study within the maximum time and whose candidature lapses in good standing may be permitted to submit a research project for examination within two years of the date on which candidature lapsed.
Duration
The Doctor of Professional Practice is only offered on a part-time basis in 2024 and 2025.
Minimum duration
2 years
Standard full-time
3 years
Maximum part-time
8 years
Admission criteria
Applicants may only be admitted by the School of Graduate Research Committee. Meeting the eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission. The Committee takes into consideration the applicant’s potential to undertake research, quality and feasibility of the research proposal, availability of appropriate supervision, and employer or referee reports.
Minimum Academic Requirements
Applicants for the Doctor of Professional Practice must have:
completed four years of full-time tertiary study or part-time equivalent relevant to their professional practice
five years’ work experience in the chosen field of professional practice
Other Requirements
Applicants are only admitted to the Doctor of Professional Practice if they satisfy the School of Graduate Research Committee that they have the professional and academic experience to undertake research which contributes to knowledge in an area of professional practice.
Admission is by written application and interview with the DPP Coordinator, and one other research active University faculty member designated by the School of Graduate Research Committee.
Applicants must provide:
a brief description of the proposed area of research including a clear statement of its relevance to the professional context;
detailed evidence of professional experience relevant to the proposed area of research;
a substantial piece of writing regarding a complex issue or issues in either a professional or research setting of no less than 6000 words (or equivalent, as approved by the School of Graduate Research Committee);
either a letter of support from an employer or the names of two referees who can provide information in support of their application.
Fee summary
In 2025, the tuition fee for a year of study in the Doctor of Professional Practice is $19,608 (full-time) or $9,804 (part-time).
