Doctor of Professional Studies in Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies

Program Overview

The Doctor of Professional Studies (DProf) in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Chester University empowers practitioners to generate original knowledge through research. The program combines taught modules on research methodologies and professional debates with a research project, fostering the development of practitioner-researchers who can contribute to practice-based knowledge and advance their careers in therapeutic, academic, and management roles.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Our DProf course recognises the achievements of practitioners in the disciplines of counselling and psychotherapy. The DProf facilitates the generation of original knowledge that comes out of experience and practice and enables a fresh and meaningful contribution to be given to practice-based knowledge and dialogue. There is a vibrant research community at Chester, consisting of both PhD and DProf research students, who meet regularly together, alongside the research staff, to support each other and stimulate new thinking and research ideas. Many of the staff who input on the programme are nationally and internally recognised for their subject contributions.

Outline:

Years 1 & 2 Taught Phase

• You'll be introduced to a range of research methodologies and professional debates to further your research interests.
• You’ll have the opportunity to reflect on your own practice, write for publication and present at conferences, and to conduct dialogue with academic practitioners and researchers at the forefront of the counselling/psychotherapy professions.

Years 3 & 4 Research Phase

• You’ll undertake a research project.
This will involve completing a critical literature review; choosing an appropriate methodology to address the research question; gathering and analysing the data; drawing conclusions in line with the research question and reflecting on the research and its significance, making recommendations for future practice and research.

Teaching

• Learning takes place in four-day blocks at the start of years one and two, and in monthly group tutorials.
• Throughout the course, you will be supported in the monthly group tutorials and in individual tutorials where necessary.
• You will have access to the full range of online library facilities and all the resources within the University.

Assessment

• Assessment is by means of essays, publishable articles, and a research proposal.
• In the research phase, assessment will be by thesis and viva.
• Part-time students are expected to allocate at least 16 hours per week to their studies.

Careers:

• This course assists in the development of practitioner-researchers who, with a doctorate and a research reputation, can go on to fulfil therapeutic, academic and management positions in their chosen areas of work.

Other:

• The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
• Careers and Employability aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
• We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability.
We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

Tuition Fees and Payment Information:

Home Students

The tuition fees for home students studying Doctor of Professional Studies in Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies in 2024/25 are £3,332 per year.

International/EU Students

The tuition fees for international students studying Doctor of Professional Studies in Counselling and Psychotherapy Studies in 2024/25 are £7,322 per year. The University of Chester offers generous international and merit-based scholarships for postgraduate study, providing a significant reduction to the published headline tuition fee. You will automatically be considered for these scholarships when your application is reviewed, and any award given will be stated on your offer letter. For more information, go to our International Fees, Scholarship and Finance section. Irish Nationals living in the UK or ROI are treated as Home students for Tuition Fee Purposes.

Additional Costs

Your course will involve additional costs not covered by your tuition fees. This may include books, printing, photocopying, educational stationery and related materials, attending research conferences and CPD workshops.

Course specific additional costs

Students are expected to fund the cost of any CPD workshops/research conferences and other external researcher development activities in addition to the tuition fees. Online teaching and learning activities are included as part of the course.

Bursaries and Funding

The University of Chester supports fair access for students who may need additional support through a range of bursaries and scholarships. Full details, as well as terms and conditions for all bursaries and scholarships can be found on the Fees & Finance section of our website.