Why do a Professional Doctorate (DProf)?
A professional doctorate is a doctoral level research degree aimed at the ‘researching professional’. It is of particular interest to practitioners and professionals who want to research a question arising from their practice, and through their research to contribute to the community of practice in their own profession or voluntary work. The Cambridge Theological Federation, through its partnership with Anglia Ruskin University, offers a professional doctorate in Practical Theology.
The programme is aimed at those interested in relating theological, ethical and spiritual insights and methods to their own professional and/or voluntary practice. Participants need not necessarily have a faith-commitment but they should be interested in the role of religion, theology and ethics in forging action-directing world views. Recently submitted theses address: family ministry in the Catholic church, bullying amongst Church of England clergy, the ministry of older people in a congregation, practices of levirate union in Kenya, and use of Buddhist meditation by a psychologist working in criminal court settings. You can see some examples of the work of graduates of the programme at: