DIPLOMATES

The 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 2000 hours of knowledge and experience with the subject matter.

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• A Practitioner acquires competence with the subject matter with about 4000 hours of applied knowledge and direct experience with the subject.

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• A Professional achieves proficiency with the subject matter after spending about 6000 hours 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 8000 hours of direct service at the expert level.

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• A Master achieves mastery of a craft within a trade after spending 10000 hours 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.