Doctor of Professional Studies (DProf) in Health and Social Care

Doctorate

Students complete an advanced, structured and progressive programme of study which faciliitates their engagement in multi-professional collaboration by studying with colleagues from other professional disciplines.

The University of Chester's Riverside buildings
The University of Chester's Riverside buildings
Campus Riverside
Course Doctorate
Length 5-7 years Part-time
Start date August 2011

Why study this course?

This programme aims to facilitate the student to:

• Develop critical skills in advanced research methods, perspectives and theories.

• Engage critically with self directed learning, advanced scholarship and reflection.

• Apply appropriate research methods to professional practice that will inform policy formulation and identify new initiatives.

• Evaluate challenges within professional practice, and justify how various research approaches can be critically applied to the challenges and problems of the workplace.

• Critically integrate prior learning into the programme and build upon existing knowledge.

• Engage in multi-professional collaboration by studying with colleagues from other professional disciplines.

• Develop a high level of expertise in an area which will enhance professional knowledge at individual and organisational levels.

• Create and conduct original research within the professional environment that will make a unique contribution to existing literature through method or findings.

• Successfully complete an advanced, structured and progressive programme of study.

This course leads to the prestigious title of ‘Doctor’ and is aimed at aspiring health and social care professionals who want to be sophisticated leaders and change agents in their field of practice.

Three of the programme modules are shared with colleagues from the Education field and provide a lived focus on inter-professional learning and integrated working. Success with the taught modules leads into a final period of professional research with the support of an academic supervisor.

Features

The programme timetable includes weekend and evening delivery and will take place at the Chester campus sites. Students are also invited to become part of the University’s research community by taking part in the Graduate School training programme and Faculty research seminars.

Next: Modules

Programme Structure

  
Level 7 (Masters level) Level 8 (Doctoral level)

Research Methods for Professional Enquiry

40 CATs

Normally taken in Year 1

Analysing Professional Practice using Social Theories

40 CATs

Normally taken in Year 3

Doctoral Studies in Context

40 CATs

Normally taken in Year 1

Thesis in Context

40 CATs

Normally taken in Year 3

Leadership Development and Change

20 CATs

Normally taken in Year 2

Writing for Publication

40 CATs

Normally taken in Year 3

Policy Analysis for Integrated Services

40 CATs

Normally taken in Year 2

Supervised Research Thesis (commenced on successful completion of all taught modules)

280 CATs

Normally completed in Years 4 – 5

An award of MProf can be awarded to those who have accumulated 180 Level 7 and level 8 credits. Due to the structure of the programme this will usually involve the accumulation of 140 level 7 credits and 40 level 8 credits.

Next: Assessment

Each module will be assessed and the assessment strategy is designed to enable students to meet the module’s learning outcomes in the context of examining their own sphere of professional practice. For example, a social work manager may conduct a critical literature review in their field of child protection, whereas a physiotherapist may examine the role of exercise in mental health promotion.

Next: Careers

The programme is designed to facilitate the achievement of individual student’s career aspirations by enabling further development of their professional knowledge and skills.

Programme graduates will be scholarly professionals who are committed to effective practice development through creative innovation and transformational leadership. They will be active change agents using their skills and knowledge to facilitate better health and social care services.

Next: Entry requirements

Admission to the Professional Doctorate programme will normally require a good Honours degree (or equivalent) and a Masters degree related to their professional discipline (the latter usually completed within the five year period prior to entry), and, normally, at least five years' post-qualification experience in their professional field. Given the wide variety of educational qualifications within the Health and Social Care field, it is intended that these admission requirements are applied flexibly.

It is expected that students will be working within health or social care in a professional post, and intending to continue within such practice.

Students from overseas are most welcome and are required to have achieved the Cambridge IELTS qualification at level 7 or above.

For enquires about admissions and costs

Please contact the Graduate School via Joanne Buckley at joanne.buckley@chester.ac.uk and 01244 511101

For enquiries about course content

Please contact Professor Maureen Deacon at m.deacon@chester.ac.uk or Jenni Templeman at J.Templeman@chester.ac.uk

Beginning: Overview

Who to contact

  • For admission enquiries

    Dr Maureen Deacon, Professor of CPD in Health Care, Department of Professional Development ＆ Allied Health
    Warrington Campus, room WMA111
    T:
    01925 534630
    m.deacon@chester.ac.uk

  • For enquiries about course content

    Jenni Templeman, Lecturer
    Warrington Campus, room WMA102
    T:
    01925 534358
    j.templeman@chester.ac.uk

  • Joanne Buckley, Co-ordinator for PGR Programmes, Research & Knowledge Transfer Office
    Senate House, Chester Campus, Room 208

    CH1 4BJ

    T:
    01244 511101
    joanne.buckley@chester.ac.uk

  • Barb Holliday, Administrative Assistant / Secretary
    Riverside Campus, room CRV355

    CH1 1SL

    T:
    01244 511117
    b.holliday@chester.ac.uk