Higher Education / University Glossary

Professional Degree

What does the academic term Professional Degree mean in higher education?

Professional Degree


Professional Degree definition

Short Definition

Professional Degree is a degree that prepares students for a specific profession, such as law, medicine, or business.


In-depth Overview

Professional Degree

Long definition: A Professional Degree is an advanced academic qualification that prepares individuals for specific careers or professions by providing specialized knowledge, skills and training. Unlike traditional academic degrees, professional degrees are often oriented toward practical applications and are typically required or highly beneficial for entering specific fields, such as medicine, law, engineering or business.

Etymology: The term "professional" originates from the Latin word "professio", which means declaration or avowal. A professional degree signifies a formal declaration or commitment to a particular profession.

Synonyms or related academic terms:

  • Vocational Degree
  • Terminal Degree
  • Practitioner's Degree

Examples of Use:

  • Medical Doctor (M.D.) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degrees are considered professional degrees for individuals pursuing careers in medicine.
  • A Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree is a professional degree required for becoming a licensed attorney in many countries.
  • The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a popular professional degree for those seeking leadership roles in business and management.

Translations:
Spanish: Título Profesional
French: Diplôme Professionnel
German: Berufsabschluss
Italian: Laurea Professionale
Portuguese: Diploma Profissional
Japanese: 専門職学位 (Senmonshoku Gakui)
Chinese (Simplified): 专业学位 (Zhuānyè Xuéwèi)
Hindi: पेशेवर डिग्री (Peshewar Degree)

Visitors can search for this term through the uniRank World Universities Search Engine.


Wikipedia Article

Professional Degree


unirank Glossary Classification

Miscellaneous higher education terms > University degree types



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