In higher education, a distinction has long been made between those who are experts in knowledge creation (PhDs) and those who are experts in the use of knowledge (eg M.D.s and Ph.D.s).
In response to demands from students and employers, higher education institutions have developed professional doctoral degrees such as the Doctor of Business Administration (DBA) and Doctor of Education (EdD).
The essential difference between a doctoral degree and a professional doctorate is that the holder of a doctoral degree has demonstrated the ability to use research skills to create original knowledge that contributes to research and theory in a field, while the holder of a professional doctoral degree has demonstrated the ability to evaluate, synthesize and apply knowledge in any area. Students in professional doctoral programs may write a dissertation equivalent to a doctoral thesis.
