DSPC Sport Performance and Coaching - Sport Performance and Coaching Degree

Program Overview

This Professional Doctorate in Sports Therapy combines academic rigor with professional expertise, providing expertise in research methods and enhancing critical thinking skills. Through a blend of workplace practice and university learning, students develop portfolios showcasing their expert practice and engage in a 40,000-word dissertation to demonstrate proficiency in a specialized area. The program prepares graduates for senior roles in sports therapy and empowers them to contribute significantly to the healthcare field.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This is a Professional Doctorate, a specialist qualification suitable for those in or aspiring to senior professional appointments in practice, education, or management in sports therapy. It demonstrates expertise in the field of sports therapy. The program aims to provide a unified approach to theory and practice within a professional context. Learning is structured to develop skills both in the workplace and within the university environment. The program can be completed over 5-6 years, depending on individual circumstances. During this time, students prepare two portfolios chronicling their development of expert practice in their workplace. They also study taught modules at the University of Essex, gaining expertise in qualitative, statistical, and other research methods required for researching sport performance and coaching. Students' interests, experiences, and needs shape the course structure and areas of focus. A key component is a 40,000-word dissertation on a relevant topic, demonstrating expertise in the specialist area.

Outline:

Year 1:

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS
• SE738-7-FY or SE747-7-FY (30 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
• Professional Practice Portfolio 1 (30 CREDITS)

Year 2:

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY WITH OPTIONS
• Research module equivalent to 30 credits (30 CREDITS)
• COMPONENT 02: COMPULSORY
• Professional Practice Portfolio 2 (30 CREDITS)

Final Year:

• COMPONENT 01: COMPULSORY

Teaching:

• The program is taught by staff with both clinical experience and academic credibility.
• The School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences provides a supervisor to guide students through the different stages of their research degree.
• Students have regular one-to-one meetings with their supervisor to discuss research progress.
• Twice a year, students attend a supervisory board meeting to discuss progress and agree on plans for the next six months.

Careers:

• The program provides doctoral preparation that integrates professional expertise and academic rigor.
• Graduates gain the skills necessary to make significant contributions to local and national health and social care provision through critical appraisal of current practice.
• The networks developed during the program facilitate self-development.
• Graduates engage in critical reflection upon practice, work, and lead within complex, multi-professional environments where they can demonstrate expert decision-making.

Other:

• The program is based at the Colchester Campus.
• The Essex Sport Arena, a state-of-the-art facility, houses the program.
• The School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences is well-equipped and centrally resourced by technical staff.
• The Human Performance Unit (HPU) provides educational and coaching services, health-related exercise programs, and athlete testing.
• The University will endeavor to keep changes to a minimum and will keep students informed appropriately by updating program specifications.
• The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

| -------- | -------- | | Home/UK fee | £2,393 per year | | International fee | £10,750 per year |