Doctor of Professional Studies in Practical Theology Programme Structure

The level 8 modular components are delivered and supported in two-day residentials, three per year, with a Summer school annually with other students in the Consortium; and by supervision, supported by web-based materials and activities.

Sessions in the residentials include work on research skills and methodology, practical exercises in enquiry-based learning and lectures, seminars and student-led discussions. Several recurrent themes appropriate to the students' development and assessment relevant to the student are addressed:

• "Key Voices" - tracing significant themes, approaches and debates within Practical Theology, historical and contemporary. These discussions help students in their work on the Literature Review component.
• "The Reflective Practitioner" - this strand addresses various aspects of the relationship between theory and practice. Guidance on keeping and maintaining a research log and learning journal feature prominently, as well as introductions to the (contested) activity of "theological reflection" in Practical Theology.
• Research Methods - how to design and implement strategies for gathering evidence, particularly qualitative data such as participant-observation, case studies, interviews, etc. This will be of particular relevance for the research proposal, which focuses on the question of methodology. Sessions also focus on questions of research ethics: the protocols for research with human subjects, as well as issues of confidentiality, accountability, dissemination, etc.
• Enquiry-Based Learning - this approach to learning emphasises the importance of learning through doing, through the use of real-life examples. Through exercises such as workshops on analysing and understanding our own research contexts, using case studies and fieldwork, students develop skills of practice-based research.
• Time Management

The Progress Review Board follows the research proposal and other taught elements, and confirms arrangements for supervision of the thesis.

Schedule of assessment

The programme can be represented as having three stages:

1. Research preparation: components at level 7
2. Stage 1: level 8 modular components
3. Stage 2: level 8 Thesis

• Part-time five-year pathway: the commonest model of recruitment is a part-time student with relevant master's degree and updated professional experience which enables a successful credit claim for the research preparation.
• Part-time six-year pathway (starting at level 7): without such certificated learning, a part-time student can achieve the doctorate in six years with modules of research preparation (90 credits at level 7);
• a full-time student would usually have evidence for such a credit claim, but with or without can complete in three years. A full-time pathway may include an intercalated year, individually negotiated, of full-time professional work which is providing a key context for the research.

 The interim award of M.Prof. is available for students achieving at least 180 credits at level 7 & 8 or at level 8 on the programme but not continuing for the D.Prof award. For example: successful completion of modules of the four Research Preparation modules, plus TH8001, TH8002 and TH8003 give a profile of 210 credits; alternatively (after entry with APCL) the five Stage 1 taught modules at level 8 give a profile of 180 credits (not using the credit from the APCL claim).