DIPLOMATES

The advanced Dreyfus Model of Skills Acquisition establishes distinct stages that a person grows through as the person learns new skills. According to Dreyfus:

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• A Generalist acquires a basic awareness of the subject matter with about 4000 hours, or 2 years, of knowledge and experience with the subject matter.

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• A Practitioner acquires competence with the subject matter with about 6000 hours, or 3 years, of applied knowledge and direct experience with the subject.

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• A Professional achieves proficiency with the subject matter after spending about 10000 hours, or 5 years, engaging the principles and practices of the specific skill.

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• A Specialist acquires expertise by applying the knowledge and skills of a subject for about 14000 hours, or 7 years, of direct service at the expert level.

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• A Master achieves mastery of a craft within a trade after spending 20000 hours (about 10 years) or more directly applying the knowledge and skillset of a subject matter.

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A diplomate, then, is a subject matter expert that has achieved the master level of skills acquisition within a specific craft of a trade.