What are professional doctorates? How do they change professional knowledge and improve practice? How can universities organize doctoral programs to facilitate professional learning and development? What is the most appropriate relationship between professional and academic knowledge? This book examines the relationship between advanced study on higher education courses and professional practice. It explores contributions made by research on practice to professional development.The editors document and explain strategies that universities use in recruitment: aims and purposes of the degree; selection of content and focus; assessment procedures; curricular structures; pedagogy; teaching strategies; conditions for learning; support for professionals; and relations with interested bodies and stakeholders. The book uses in-depth case studies of three professional doctorates: the doctorate in business administration (DBA), the engineering doctorate (DEng) and the education doctorate (EdD). ''Examining Professional Doctorates'' makes an important contribution to this neglected area of research.This is an essential reading for policy makers in higher education and anyone interested in professional doctoral study.