PROGRAM DETAIL


Degree Granted: D.P.S.

Qualification Framework: Level 9

Program Duration: 3 Academic Years

Program Level: Postgraduate

Program Entry: Regular / RPEL

Program Credits: 60 SCU / 60 SCH / 120 ECTS

Mode of Study: Distance Learning

Mode of Learning: Self-Paced with Structured Learning Phases

Mode of Assessment: Coursework, Applied Assignments, Doctoral Project / Dissertation / Publication

Language: English

Location: Asynchronous

Total Tuition Fee: $32.000

Scholarships: Up to 90%

Start Date: Anytime

Student Support: 24/7

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The Doctorate of Professional Studies (DPS) at Enigma Business School is a practice-led, interdisciplinary doctoral program designed for senior professionals who seek to generate doctoral-level knowledge grounded in professional practice, organizational impact, and real-world problem solving.

Unlike discipline-specific doctorates, the DPS recognizes professional practice as a legitimate source of advanced knowledge. The program enables candidates to critically reflect on their professional domain, design and implement applied interventions, and produce original contributions that advance professional standards, policy, and practice across sectors.

Delivered through a flexible distance learning model, the DPS allows experienced professionals to pursue doctoral study while actively engaged in leadership, consulting, education, public service, or industry practice.

 

Program Objectives

The DPS program aims to:

  • Develop doctoral-level capability grounded in professional practice
  • Strengthen reflective, analytical, and strategic professional inquiry
  • Enable candidates to design and evaluate practice-based interventions
  • Generate original contributions to professional fields and applied knowledge
  • Prepare graduates for senior professional, advisory, and thought leadership roles

 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the DPS program, graduates will be able to:

  • Critically analyze complex professional challenges within their field
  • Integrate theory, evidence, and practice in professional inquiry
  • Design, implement, and evaluate applied professional interventions
  • Produce original practice-based doctoral work with demonstrable impact
  • Communicate professional knowledge effectively to diverse stakeholders

 

Candidate Profile

The DPS program is designed for:

  • Senior professionals and practitioners across sectors
  • Consultants, advisors, and industry experts
  • Educators, trainers, and academic practitioners
  • Policy makers and public sector leaders
  • Professionals seeking doctoral recognition of practice expertise

Why Choose This Program?

  • Practice-led doctoral model recognizing professional expertise
  • Interdisciplinary and flexible research focus
  • Multiple doctoral completion pathways
  • Designed for real-world professional impact
  • Flexible self-paced structure for senior professionals
  • International accreditation program
  • ISO-certified institution
  • AI-supported academic learning environment
  • Global recognition and degree verification

Program Structure

The DPS program requires completion of 60 credits, typically over approximately 3 years, structured into progressive Doctoral Learning Phases.

The curriculum is composed of:

  • Core Professional Doctoral Courses (70%) – 42 credits
  • Applied Research and Completion Pathway (30%) – 18 credits

Doctoral Learning Phase Framework

  • Phase 1: Foundations of Professional Doctoral Inquiry
  • Phase 2: Advanced Practice-Based Research and Analysis
  • Phase 3: Applied Intervention and Knowledge Integration
  • Phase 4: Doctoral Completion Pathway

This framework ensures doctoral rigor while preserving flexibility and professional relevance.

Curriculum and Syllabus

Core Professional Doctoral Courses (42 Credits)

Course

Credits

Philosophy of Professional Knowledge and Practice

4

Advanced Professional Inquiry and Reflective Practice

4

Research Methods for Practice-Based Doctorates

4

Systems Thinking and Professional Problem Solving

4

Ethics, Governance, and Professional Responsibility

3

Evidence-Based Practice and Impact Evaluation

3

Strategic Leadership in Professional Contexts

4

Interdisciplinary Analysis and Knowledge Integration

4

Doctoral Seminar in Professional Studies

6

Doctoral Colloquium and Proposal Development

6

Total Core Credits

42

Credit allocation reflects professional complexity, reflective depth, and applied doctoral rigor.

Applied Research and Completion Pathway (18 Credits)

Candidates select one approved doctoral completion pathway:

Option 1: Professional Doctoral Project

  • Professional Project Proposal and Approval – 6 credits
  • Applied Professional Intervention and Evaluation – 12 credits

Option 2: Practice-Based Dissertation

  • Practice-Based Dissertation Proposal – 6 credits
  • Dissertation Writing and Defense – 12 credits

Option 3: Publication and Portfolio-Based Doctorate

  • Research and Publication Strategy – 6 credits
  • Professional Publications and Evidence Portfolio – 12 credits

Specialization Areas

DPS candidates may focus their research on areas such as:

  • Leadership And Organizational Development
  • Education, Training, And Professional Learning
  • Coaching And Mentoring
  • Business Advisory And Consulting
  • Public Policy And Organizational Studies
  • Personal Development
  • Social Engineering
  • Communication

Specializations will allow candidates to deepen scientific competence in a selected applied fields.

Learning Methodology

  • Self-paced doctoral study
  • Practice-led inquiry and reflective research
  • One-on-one supervision and professional mentoring
  • Applied case analysis and intervention design
  • AI-supported research, reflection, and academic writing tools

Entry Requirements

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Master’s degree or equivalent qualification
  • Substantial professional experience
  • Demonstrated capacity for doctoral-level reflective inquiry
  • English proficiency suitable for doctoral academic work
  • Eligibility for equivalency and RPEL assessment may apply

Admissions Process

  • Online doctoral application submission
  • Review of professional portfolio and proposal outline
  • Doctoral readiness and impact assessment
  • Approval by the Academic Council
  • Enrollment and doctoral onboarding

Admissions are conducted through a Rolling Admission System.

Assessment and Evaluation Method

Assessment is based on:

  • Doctoral coursework and seminar performance
  • Professional project or dissertation milestones
  • Final project, dissertation, or publication portfolio
  • Formal evaluation panel or oral defense

All assessments adhere to doctoral-level rigor, integrity, and ethical standards.

Completion Requirements

To be awarded the DPS degree, candidates must:

  • Complete all required coursework and credits
  • Successfully complete one approved doctoral pathway
  • Demonstrate original contribution to professional practice
  • Comply with academic integrity and professional ethics policies

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the DPS program are prepared for roles such as:

  • Chief Learning Officer (CLO)
  • Professional Educator or Practice-Based Faculty
  • Executive Consultant, Advisor, Principal Practitioner
  • Director of Professional Development
  • Senior Policy Strategist
  • Organizational Change Leader
  • Higher Education Administrator
  • Practice Leader (Professional Services)
  • Corporate Strategy Advisor
  • Non-Profit Executive Director
  • Industry Researcher
  • Leadership Development Director
  • Public Administration Consultant
  • Applied Research Director
  • Curriculum Development Lead
  • Policy and Program Development Leader
  • Senior Management Analyst
  • Board of Directors Member
  • Program Evaluation Specialist
  • Strategic Business Partner
  • Clinical/Professional Professor
  • Workforce Transformation Consultant

International Accreditation And Global Recognition

The Doctorate of Professional Studies at Enigma Business School is internationally accredited by SEAAC (South East Asian Accreditation Council), ICDLA (International Commission for Distance Learning Accreditation), EDLC (European Distance Learning Commission), GABDE (Global Accreditation Board for Distance Education), and IAHRM (International Association of Human Resources Management). All of these institutions are highly respected accreditation bodies in ASEAN, EU and the USA.

Program Notes

The Doctorate of Professional Studies at Enigma Business School represents a rigorous and practice-centered doctoral program that empowers experienced professionals to transform practice into knowledge, generate meaningful impact, and contribute original insights to their professional fields at the highest academic level.

Program Director,

Doctorate of Professional Studies (DPS)