Ph.D. in the study of professional praxis

PhD in the study of professional praxis

​Beyond the PhD thesis itself, the study has an academic training component of 30 ECTS consisting of the following courses:

  • Research Methods (10 ECTS) – compulsory
  • Science Theory and Research Ethics (5 ECTS) –compulsory
  • Practical Knowledge and Professional Praxis (5 ECTS) –compulsory
  • Elective courses – (10 ECTS)

In addition to the compulsory courses, the Faculty of Education and Arts (FLU) and the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences (FSH) offer courses in professional identity, organization and society, and more profession-specific courses aimed at the various professions for which the university educates students. An overview of the times the courses are offered is found on the programme's web pages.

Candidates are encouraged to participate in the courses that are offered by the School of Research for profession-oriented and praxis-based research in the areas of health, welfare and education (PROFRES), the National School of Research for Teacher Education (NAFOL), the Research School for Pharmacy or the Research School for Municipal Health and Care Services (MUNI-HEALTH-CARE).

In consultation with their supervisor, the candidates will work out an individual academic plan indicating which courses are to be completed and the specific semester during which the individual course will be completed. The individual academic training component has to be approved upon admission to the PhD programme in the study of professional praxis. An approved academic plan may be changed only upon approval of a request to do so.

Candidates must have all courses in the academic training component approved to have their PhD thesis assessed. All PhD courses offered by the programme are to be assessed by the PhD Committee and approved by the deans.


Programme description

​Beyond the PhD thesis itself, the study has an academic training component of 30 ECTS consisting of the following courses:

  • Research Methods (10 ECTS) – compulsory
  • Science Theory and Research Ethics (5 ECTS) –compulsory
  • Practical Knowledge and Professional Praxis (5 ECTS) –compulsory
  • Elective courses – (10 ECTS)

In addition to the compulsory courses, the Faculty of Education and Arts (FLU) and the Faculty of Nursing and Health Sciences (FSH) offer courses in professional identity, organization and society, and more profession-specific courses aimed at the various professions for which the university educates students. An overview of the times the courses are offered is found on the programme's web pages.

Candidates are encouraged to participate in the courses that are offered by the School of Research for profession-oriented and praxis-based research in the areas of health, welfare and education (PROFRES), the National School of Research for Teacher Education (NAFOL), the Research School for Pharmacy or the Research School for Municipal Health and Care Services (MUNI-HEALTH-CARE).

In consultation with their supervisor, the candidates will work out an individual academic plan indicating which courses are to be completed and the specific semester during which the individual course will be completed. The individual academic training component has to be approved upon admission to the PhD programme in the study of professional praxis. An approved academic plan may be changed only upon approval of a request to do so.

Candidates must have all courses in the academic training component approved to have their PhD thesis assessed. All PhD courses offered by the programme are to be assessed by the PhD Committee and approved by the deans.


Admission requirements

For admission to the PhD programme, the applicant must normally have a master's degree of 120 credits or the equivalent; cf. descriptions in the second cycle of the qualification framework. For admission to the PhD programme in the study of professional praxis, an average grade of B or better is normally required from the last two years of the master's degree work (corresponding to 120 credits) or equivalent education. See the more detailed description in the Regulations for the degree of Philosophiae doctor (PhD) at Nord University Section 5-1 and the PhD in the study of professional praxis, supplementary provisions to this.

By special assessment, Nord University may approve other equivalent education as a basis for admission.

Study abroad

Measures are required during the course of study that contribute towards internationalization. It is desirable for the individual PhD research fellow to study for a minimum period of 3 months at a foreign academic institution that has a relevant specialist environment, and for this period of study abroad to be included in the progress plan submitted with the application for admission to the study. PhD fellows who for any reason are unable to spend a semester abroad can meet the internationalization requirement by planning to participate in international PhD courses or research school, and/or to give presentations at International academic conferences with peer review. The candidate’s main advisor has a particular responsibility to introduce the candidate to relevant international academic environments.



Application deadline and admission

Application deadline Continuous admission

Application deadline and admission

Application deadline Continuous admission

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