DST Sports Therapy - Sports Therapy Degree

Program Overview

The DST Sports Therapy Professional Doctorate program is a 5-6 year professional qualification for individuals seeking senior roles in sports therapy, education, or management. The program combines workplace practice with academic study, culminating in a 40,000-word dissertation demonstrating expertise in a specialist area. Graduates gain doctoral preparation that integrates professional expertise and academic rigor, equipping them to contribute significantly to local and national health and social care provision.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

The DST Sports Therapy is a Professional Doctorate, a specialist qualification suitable for individuals in or aspiring to senior professional roles in sports therapy, education, or management. It signifies expertise within 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 the university environment. The program can be completed over 5-6 years, depending on individual circumstances. 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 relevant to sports therapy. Students' interests, experiences, and needs influence the course structure and areas of focus. A key component is a 40,000-word dissertation on a relevant topic, demonstrating expertise in their 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)
• 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 faculty with both clinical experience and academic credibility.
• The School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences provides a supervisor to guide students through the research degree.
• Students have regular one-to-one meetings with their supervisor to discuss research progress.
• Twice a year, students participate in a supervisory board meeting to discuss progress and plan for the next six months.

Careers:

• The program provides doctoral preparation that integrates professional expertise and academic rigor.
• Graduates gain skills to contribute significantly to local and national health and social care provision through critical appraisal of current practice.
• The program facilitates self-development through networking and critical reflection upon practice.
• Graduates can work and lead in complex, multi-professional environments, demonstrating expert decision-making.

Other:

• The program is housed within the Essex Sport Arena, a state-of-the-art facility with a sports hall, dedicated labs for sports therapy training, a sports therapy clinic, and physiotherapy labs.
• The School of Sport, Rehabilitation and Exercise Sciences is well-equipped and centrally resourced by technical staff.

Home/UK fee £2,393 per year International fee £10,750 per year Fees will increase for each academic year of study.