Doctor of Sport and Exercise Psychology

Program Overview

The Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology at Liverpool John Moores University equips professionals with the skills and knowledge to become registered Sport and Exercise Psychologists. The program emphasizes professional practice, research, and teaching competencies, preparing graduates for leadership roles in promoting physical and mental well-being in sport and exercise settings. Delivered by expert faculty in world-class facilities, the program aligns with BPS Stage 2 requirements and HCPC registration eligibility.

Program Outline

Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology (DOC) at Liverpool John Moores University

Degree Overview:

The Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology is designed to meet BPS Stage 2 requirements in Sport and Exercise Psychology and eligibility for HCPC registration. The program is underpinned by a strong focus on equipping future Sport and Exercise Psychologists with the competencies required to work in a range of professional practice scenarios.

Objectives:

• To develop the professional skills in teaching and training (education and dissemination), ethics and professional standards, research and consultancy.
• To provide students with the knowledge and skills to work in a range of professional practice scenarios.
• To prepare students for registration as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist with the HCPC.

Description:

• The program is delivered in the award-winning Tom Reilly Building, which provides world-class sport and exercise science facilities.
• Students will work closely with academic staff who are leaders in their research field and experts in training.
• The program is underpinned by high-grade research and practice.
• Students will benefit from quality teaching and supervision provided by experienced sport and exercise psychologists.
• The program offers enhanced career opportunities in Sport and Exercise Psychology professional practice and promotion, as well as education, teaching and research.

Outline:

• The program is available in various durations to suit your circumstances:
• Minimum: 2 years full-time
• Equivalent part-time: 4 years
• Full-time: 3 years
• Part-time: up to 6 years
• All program variants have the same essential structure, with the same taught sessions that occur primarily in the first year.
• The program duration you choose is largely dictated by your work placement(s) and other work-related opportunities you may secure.
• It is also possible to change your study mode e.g.
from full to part-time according to your circumstances.

Course Modules:

• Core Modules:
• Planning Training in Sport and Exercise Psychology (30 credits):
Introduces the program and helps students produce a training plan in line with the competencies required by the British Psychological Society and Health and Care Professions Council. It also helps students reflect on that plan in the form of a SWOT analysis.
• Sport and Exercise Psychology Professional Practice (270 credits): Captures the competences of Professional Skills and Standards (including ethics of applied practice), Consultancy, Research, and Teaching, & Training (education and dissemination) in sport and exercise psychology over the period of training.
• Reflection in Sport and Exercise Psychology (60 credits): Requires students to reflect on their learning experiences as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist by reflecting on their practitioner development and how this informs their future practice.

Teaching:

• All teaching is on Thursdays 10am-12pm and 2pm-4pm, leaving students some time in the day to meet with their supervisor.
• Sessions are formally scheduled from January to June and September to December in year one and on an ad hoc basis in subsequent years.
• Teaching methods include:
• Work-based learning experiences
• Taught sessions on the program
• Extensive supervision
• Students will develop their skills in teaching and training (education and dissemination), research, consultancy and the generic professional skills needed to qualify as a Sport and Exercise Psychologist.

Assessment:

• The Professional Doctorate in Sport and Exercise Psychology program requires a portfolio of work to be completed.
This includes:
• A log and reflective diary of professional practice and consultancy/teaching
• Training case studies
• A systematic literature review
• Two empirical papers of publishable quality

Careers:

• A growing number of Sport and Exercise Psychology graduates work in applied settings as Sport and Exercise Psychology practitioners and promoters, as well as taking up positions in Sport and Exercise Psychology education, teaching and research.
• LJMU has an excellent employability record with 96% (HESA 2018) of its postgraduates in work or further study six months after graduation.

Other:

• The program is designed to meet British Psychological Society (BPS) Stage 2 requirements in Sport and Exercise Psychology and eligibility for Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration.
• The School of Sport and Exercise Sciences is ranked 6th for Sports Science (QS World University Rankings 2024).
• The program is delivered in the City Campus, in the £28 million Tom Reilly Building, which provides world-class sport and exercise science facilities.
• RPL is accepted on this program.

• Home full-time per year: £8,380
• International full-time per year: £18,250