Doctorate in Health and Social Care Practice

Program Overview

The Doctorate in Health and Social Care Practice (DPrac) is a doctoral program designed for health professionals seeking to advance their research and project management skills. The program offers specializations in various healthcare areas, including nursing, psychology, and social work, and emphasizes original research contributions to enhance practice and service development. It is delivered online part-time, allowing participants to balance their studies with their professional commitments.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This Doctorate in Health and Social Care Practice (DPrac) is designed for health professionals, both in practice and academia, as well as leaders in the health and social care professions. The program aims to equip these individuals with advanced research and research project management skills, enabling them to take a leading role in developing practice or services within their specific professional areas. The program aims to:

• Enhance the ability of participants to influence practice.
• Prepare them for more senior roles in nursing, health and social care, or higher education.
• Allow participants to tailor their qualification to their own interests and develop as clinical and professional leaders in their field.
• Improve their knowledge and understanding of a range of research and enquiry methodologies and skills related to their profession.
The program offers specialization in the following research areas:
• Applied Psychology
• Art Psychotherapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy
• Drama Psychotherapy
• Health and Social Care
• Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Podiatry
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• Radiography
The program emphasizes the development of original research contributions or applications of knowledge to the participant's specialist field. This will enable them to lead the development of services and professional practice, directly relevant to their career. The curriculum is closely mapped against the nursing, health and social care sector, ensuring its currency and relevance. However, the program may evolve in response to national changes such as government policy.

Outline:

The DPrac Health and Social Care Practice program is structured into two phases:

Postgraduate Taught (PGT) Phase:

• This phase consists of two 60-credit modules:
• Develop Strategies and Skills for Professional Doctoral Research and Study:
This module focuses on understanding and engaging with doctoral-level education, conducting a comprehensive literature review, and gaining knowledge of the participant's specialist field. It encourages the development of networking relationships with relevant professional associations, special interest research groups, and societies, as well as contributing work to conferences and publications for wider dissemination.

Postgraduate Research (PGR) Phase:

• This phase involves completing a 420-credit Independent Scholarship.
• Participants work closely with their director of studies and supervisor to complete their research project.

Course Schedule:

• The program is only available part-time online and can be completed in four years.
• The maximum registration period is eight years.
• The academic year is divided into three 10-week terms, known as trimesters.
• The postgraduate taught 60-credit modules are taken over the whole academic year.
• The recommended study time is approximately 20 hours per week to complete 20 credits per 10-week trimester.

Assessment:

Assessment methods include:

• Written assignments
• Writing up projects and research
• Formal dissemination of work
• A thesis
• A viva voce assessment

Teaching:

• The program is taught and facilitated by leading academics.
• A variety of flexible learning strategies are employed to help participants reach their full potential.
• The postgraduate taught (PGT) phase is delivered online using the University's virtual learning environment (VLE).
• Activities, peer interaction, and interaction with academic staff are facilitated on the VLE.
• Scheduled webinars are encouraged (though recordings are available for those unable to attend live).
• During the postgraduate research (PGR) phase, participants are assigned a director of studies and a second supervisor, providing ongoing support.
• Participants join one of the University's research groups to develop their research interests and skills, network, and share interests with other professionals in their field.

Careers:

• Completing a professional doctorate helps participants grow professionally and personally.
• They develop skills in research, analysis, critical and strategic thinking, enhancing their work performance.
• Graduates become acknowledged leaders in their field.

Other:

• The program is closely mapped against the nursing, health and social care sector, ensuring its currency and relevance.
• The program may evolve in response to national changes such as government policy.

| Trimester | Payment due | | :--- | :--- | | Autumn | Initial payment up front (25%) £800 | | | 2nd payment (25%) due 1 November £800 | | | 3rd payment (25%) due 1 February £800 | | | 4th payment (25%) due 1 May £800 |

Total:

£3,200