Purpose
The Doctorate in Professional Studies (Business Coaching):

• Sets international academic standards for advanced business coaches through a doctoral degree, and clearly identifies these standards for buyers of business coaching
• Provides a fully accredited, rigorous assessment process that recognizes education, professional development and research in business coaching at the doctoral level
• Promotes the highest-caliber research and leadership in business coaching practice for the benefit of the public and coaching clients
• Contributes to the definition, development and self-regulation of the business coaching profession

Overview
The Doctorate in Professional Studies (Business Coaching) is offered in collaboration with Middlesex University in the UK. This fully accredited doctoral degree is open to anyone who holds WABC's Chartered Business Coach (ChBC) designation or Master of Arts in Professional Development (Business Coaching). The ChBC or MA automatically provides a large portion of the credit required for Stage 1 of the doctorate, enabling candidates to rapidly progress to Stage 2, the research project. The DProf in Business Coaching is assessed at the same level as a PhD and is the professional equivalent, requiring research into the candidate’s own practice. Candidates design their own program, select their research area and complete a work-based project of their choosing. After submitting their final research report, they are examined orally by external examiners from the field of business coaching and, if successful, they are awarded the doctorate and can call themselves "Dr."

Granting institution
The DProf in Business Coaching is offered and awarded by Middlesex University, based in the UK. There are no residency requirements for this degree program.

How to obtain the DProf in Business Coaching degree
You are an ideal candidate for the doctorate if you actively practice as an advanced business coach, creating and adapting innovative practices to meet the needs of a varied client base. Specifically, you must meet these general requirements:

• Must be a WABC Full Member in good standing;
• Must hold WABC's ChBC or MA; and
• Must successfully complete the Doctorate in Professional Studies (Business Coaching) program.

How to list the DProf in Business Coaching degree
Graduates of this program may list the degree in full as Doctorate in Professional Studies (Business Coaching). They may list it by initials as DProf or DProf in Business Coaching. Graduates may also use the title "Dr." with their name.

Candidates in this program may list their candidacy as DProf Candidate, DProf in Business Coaching Candidate or Doctoral Student.

Please Note: WABC members who hold any educational degrees, or any professional designations from organizations other than WABC, must have these credentials (now and in the future) verified by WABC if they wish to list them in any materials that display WABC trademarks (e.g., WABC name, logo, designations). This requirement applies to members' own materials (e.g., marketing and promotional material, résumés, business cards, website, email signature block) that contain WABC trademarks as well as to WABC materials (e.g., website, member correspondence). For full details, refer to our Use of Designations Policy, Trademarks and Logo Use Policy and Logos and Guidelines.

How to maintain the DProf in Business Coaching degree
There are no requirements to maintain this degree.

Can the DProf in Business Coaching degree be revoked?
No.

What's your next step?
Learn more. Get more details in the DProf in Business Coaching brochure.
Get in touch. Contact WABC.

More information

*Is Middlesex University accredited?
Yes. Based in the United Kingdom, Middlesex University was created through the amalgamation of a number of long-established colleges. It has approximately 22,000 candidates studying on campus and around the world, and 2500 staff. Middlesex is the largest provider of programs for international candidates in the UK.

All universities in the UK are accredited by the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education. Middlesex University is regularly assessed by this body and must carefully monitor and manage the standards of all its departments, programs and courses.

You can view the QAA review and audit reports on the QAA website.

Other WABC programs
Credentials for Business Coaches

WABC and Middlesex University reserve all rights in connection with the Doctorate in Professional Studies (Business Coaching) degree, including the right to change the requirements of the doctorate and to replace the doctorate.