What is the Difference Between Discipline and Profession

The key difference between discipline and profession is that discipline is a branch of knowledge learned at the college or university level, whereas profession refers to any type of work that needs special training or particular skill to perform.

Discipline and professions are terms that are interrelated. To engage in a good profession, one must study well in a particular discipline. For example, to become a medical doctor, students must study in the scientific discipline. In a discipline, students gain knowledge, while in a profession, professionals practically apply this knowledge.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is Discipline 
3. What is Profession
4. Discipline vs Profession in Tabular Form
5. Summary – Discipline vs Profession

What is Discipline?

The word discipline is a part of knowledge. We can define discipline as a branch of knowledge, usually one studied in higher education. Disciplines can be found in academic journals that publish research articles as well as in academic faculties and departments within high schools and universities.

We can categorize discipline in various ways: academic disciplines are traditionally divided into the humanities (languages, cultural studies, etc.), while scientific disciplines include areas like biology, physics, and chemistry. There is a hierarchy that is maintained within disciplines. The latter sections of the hierarchy are sub-disciplines.

What is Profession?

Profession refers to a type of job that requires advanced education or training. An individual needs special training or a set of specific skills to be engaged in a profession. Professions display several characteristics. Firstly, it requires wide training of an intelligent character. The next characteristic is that its services are important and valuable for the society and well-being of the people. Its practitioners have a great degree of independence in deciding to carry out their job. Doctor, accountant, lawyer, teacher, engineer, electrician, nurse, etc., are some common professions.

Professional who engages in a profession must follow a set of ethics that are unique to that profession. In most professions, professionals are required to meet higher ethical standards. They may receive many benefits in their professions. At the same time, qualifications and requirements that are needed in performing a profession can be different from one another. Some professions change with time. But the prestige and the status of the professions remain unchanged.

What is the Difference Between Discipline and Profession?

The key difference between discipline and profession is that discipline is a branch of knowledge, usually studied in higher education, whereas profession refers to any type of work that needs special training or particular skill to perform. Another major difference between discipline between profession is that discipline generates knowledge, and profession applies knowledge to the practical vision. Although profession focuses on the final product, discipline focuses on how the product is being produced.

Mathematics, biology, physics, languages, art, cultural studies, and chemistry are a few disciplines in higher education, while doctor, accountant, lawyer, teacher, engineer, electrician, nurse, etc., are some common professions in society.

Below is a summary of the difference between discipline and profession in tabular form for side by side comparison.

Summary – Discipline vs Profession

The key difference between discipline and profession is that discipline refers to generating of knowledge or a part of knowledge that is used at college or university level, whereas profession refers to any type of job that requires advanced education or training in performing the particular job. Although discipline generates knowledge, profession applies the knowledge into practicality.

Reference:

1. “Academic Discipline.” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
2. “Profession” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
3. “Outline of Academic Disciplines” Wikipedia, Wikimedia Foundation.
4. “What is a Profession.” New Mexico State University.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Disciplines mind map” By Useamuse – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Doctor, Man, Illustration, Hospital, Professions.” (CC0) via Max Pixel

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