UW System: Opposing the Expansion of Professional Doctorates as the Entry-Level Degree
At their May 5, 2000 meeting the UW System Board of Regents discussed the trend towards expanding the role of professional doctorates as the entry-level degree. The pressure for this trend comes largely from specialized accrediting bodies, which in some cases have specified the degree that must be offered for accreditation and earned for licensure of practitioners.
Excerpted from the May 5, 2000 Board of Regents meeting minutes:
Senior Vice President Ward asked the [Education] Committee to approve the following resolution opposing the expansion of professional doctorates as the entry-level degree in professions such as audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc. He also requested that the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges take a position opposing this practice. Committee members expressed strong opposition to this trend. Regent Brandes moved the adoption of resolution 8136 and it was seconded by Regent Randall and carried unanimously.
Resolution 8136: That the Board of Regents opposes the expansion of professional doctorates as the entry-level degree in professions such as audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy, etc, and asks that the Association of Governing Boards of Universities and Colleges take a position opposing this practice.