Key characteristics of a professional degree include:
* Focus on practice: The curriculum is heavily weighted towards practical skills and application of knowledge within a specific field.
* Licensure or certification often required: Many professional degrees are prerequisites for licensure or certification to practice in a regulated profession (e.g., law, medicine, engineering).
* Length of study: They are typically longer than a Master's degree, often requiring several years of study.
* Specialized curriculum: The curriculum is highly specialized and directly relevant to the chosen profession.
* Emphasis on practical experience: Clinical rotations, internships, practicums, or apprenticeships are common components.
Examples of professional degrees include:
* Juris Doctor (J.D.): Law
* Doctor of Medicine (M.D.): Medicine
* Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.): Osteopathic Medicine
* Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm.D.): Pharmacy
* Doctor of Dental Surgery (D.D.S.) / Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.): Dentistry
* Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.): Veterinary Medicine
* Master of Business Administration (MBA): Business Management
* Master of Architecture (M.Arch): Architecture
* Master of Social Work (MSW): Social Work
* Master of Engineering (M.Eng.): Engineering
It's important to note that some degrees, like an MBA, can fall into a grey area. While an MBA is often considered a professional degree because of its focus on business practice, it doesn't always require licensure and some programs heavily emphasize research. The line between professional and academic degrees can be blurred in some instances.