This text seeks to elucidate the objectives and strategic position of Professional Master’s Degree Programs in the context of graduate education in Brazil. It provides a critical overview and key definitions and discusses the importance of the professional master’s in integrating professional problems with knowledge generated within the university. The authors conclude presenting methodological and structural issues, indicating a specific concern with respect to the need to clarify questions related to teaching faculty addressed in Directive nº 68, of August 3, 2004.