Comparative Analysis Between the Professional and Research Doctoral Degrees in Mexico

Abstract

The author analyzes the assessment of doctorate programs within the framework of the National Quality Postgraduate Program (PNPC) in order to identify under which criteria the professional doctoral degree is justified by means of a comparison with the research PhD.  Two trends in the definition of doctoral education are identified from the documentary review: one oriented towards harmonization and the other towards the diversification of doctorates.  The PNPC has chosen to stick to this last trend, by proposing a professional doctorate that differs from the research PhD by valuing the learning acquired both in academia and in the workplace; in this way, applied research is promoted for the development of professions and the link between graduates and the productive sector