Doctor of Health and Social Care Practice

Start date: January

Course length: part time: four years

Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus

This course is available to international students

This course is aimed at a range of health and social care professionals. You should be interested in the development of your practice or the development of clinical or social services. During this course you will have the opportunity to develop a range of relevant skills that will boost your understanding and knowledge across a range of occupations.

You can study the Doctor of Health and Social Care Practice and be awarded in the following specialised fields:

• Art Psychotherapy
• Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy
• Drama Psychotherapy
• Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Nursing
• Occupational Therapy
• Psychodynamic Psychotherapy
• Radiography
• Health and Social Care Practice

You will develop as a clinical and professional leader in your chosen field of practice by enriching your knowledge and understanding of a range of research and enquiry methodologies and skills. The research aspect of doctoral study will enable you to make an original contribution, or application of knowledge, to your specialist field of study.

You will get the opportunity to be taught in small seminar groups whilst also receiving full support from individual tutorials. These will enable you to build a close relationship with your tutors and other students which can really enhance your learning experience. For each module you will receive intensive teaching for three full days per academic semester.

As part of studying on this course, you will become a member and be expected to participate in one of our research groups. This will really enhance your research skills and help you to develop as a research student.

This course is very flexible in that you can study it part time allowing you to fit your studies around your personal commitments and it will take you around four years to complete.

Whichever field you choose to be awarded in, you’ll study the following modules:

Engaging with Study at Doctoral Level (60 credits)
This triple module will build on your academic skills to ensure you are prepared for the requirements of doctoral level study. By researching your own professional practice you will explore the nature of practitioner research, including ethical issues. This module is delivered face to face.

Service and Practice Development (60 credits)
To prepare you for the final independent research stage, you’ll focus on the nature of research and notions of evidence in your area of professional practice. In addition, you’ll carry out a small service or practice development project within your workplace, which could be furtherdeveloped to inform a formal research project in your final independent research study. This triple module is delivered face to face.

Independent Scholarship for Professional Practice and Service Development (420 credits)
During this module you’ll prepare a substantial piece of research or collective works, which will form the thesis of your professional Doctorate. This module is delivered by distance learning (paper based).

Please contact us for details of the fees for this course.

How you're assessed

You will be given assessment opportunities that provide a variety and range of assessment tasks which go beyond the requirements of the conventional academic essay, consistent with the programme's aim of facilitating professionals such as yourself in articulating and disseminating professional expertise.

You will be supported by a director of studies a second supervisor and a subject specialist throughout the course.

It is likely that you will have studied this course as part of your own personal or professional development. Most of our current students are professionals and are interested in developments to theory and practice in their specialist fields. They are keen to advance in their careers and maintain their links to practice. They are interested in developing their practice in clinical or social care services.

"I have recently started the Doctor of Health and Social Care Practice. As an art psychotherapist and having completed the MA level at Derby, it enabled me to continue research at a high level with a group of professionals from diverse backgrounds. This course will enable me to have a voice for my profession and clients through dissemination of research through a variety of mediums."

Anne-Janine Fletcher, current student