Programme summary for D. Occ. Psych. Occupational Psychology
Overview | Content | Assessment | Progression | Staff | Further Information
About the programme
Our professional doctorate is an applied research degree, based on a similar model to that of the PhD. It is based on a ‘workplace challenge’ framework in which the challenges embedded within your professional practice and day-to-day work form an essential component of the learning, development and research process. As well as allowing you to use current work as a substrate for a research-based doctoral qualification, the programme also fulfils the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements of the British Psychological Society.
Professional qualifications
Research dissertations can be used as evidence for areas of Chartership, which will lead to full membership of the DOP as laid down by the British Psychological Society.
Programme structure
Professional doctorate programmes can be either ‘taught’ or ‘research’ in their emphasis (that is, when measured by student effort). Both have equal status and share the same learning outcomes. You should check with the relevant school to find out where the emphasis is for this particular programme.
The programme is offered on a full-time basis and on a part-time basis. The programme comprises university based learning and teaching, self directed learning and research in an organisational setting. Stage 1 of the acquisition of the QOccPsych (which is not part of this programme) is the pre-requisite to entry. Students who have met the entry requirements will be entered onto stage 2 of the programme.
- Stage 2 - Students who are not already employed in an occupational setting will be required to seek an appointment as a practitioner-in-trainer. During this stage students will undertake research methodology training, personal learning and a piece of research under the guidance of their university supervisor
- Stage 3 - Students will attend monthly seminars that will focus on completing their research dissertations and continued CPD
Students will be solely responsible for seeking employment at Stage 2. Whilst the university will assist applicants it cannot accept any responsibility whatsoever for the success or otherwise of the application.
Career opportunities
Successful students can work as occupational psychologists in a wide range of organisational contexts. You can progress to senior management or take up specialist positions for organisational projects.
Support
- There are small tutor group/sessions
- Supervisory team for research
- Research methods training
- Specialist tutoring for research design
- Web based learning
- Carefully structured and staged programme
- Individual feedback on all assessed work
- Linked specialist librarian to the programme
The Graduate School is responsible for providing a focus to the support of our postgraduate research students and for our institution’s research and scholarly strategy.
Professional Doctorate students will have at least two and not normally more than three supervisors, who together demonstrate an appropriate range of academic and professional experience. One supervisor shall be the Director of Studies with responsibility to supervise the candidate on a regular and frequent basis.
Admission
The programme is open to those students who hold a postgraduate (MSc) qualification in Occupational Psychology or who have completed the new Qualification in Occupational Psychology (QOccPsych Stage 1 Examinations). Students who enter with advance standing must have experienced working as an Occupational Psychologist and have obtained or be near to obtaining full membership of the Division of Occupational Psychology (DOP).
The main criteria for entry will include:
- A research proposal which will have the capacity to advance the discipline and profession of occupational psychology
- Access to practice as an Occupational Psychologist - for advanced level standing the research should be part of the person’s daily work as a practitioner
- Admission will be via application, and interview panel
At least two members of academic staff will review each application before a decision is made.
Applicants with either prior-certified learning or prior-experiential learning that closely matches the specified learning outcomes of the taught part of the programme may be able to claim exemption via agreed university procedures. No exemption can be claimed against the research part of the programme or in situations where a professional body excludes it.
In the case of applicants whose first language is not English then IELTS 6.5 is required (or equivalent. International qualification will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes.
Key facts
You can start many programmes in either September or February and applications are simple to make. Click below to:
Apply online Occupational Psychology (D. Occ. Psych.)
View full specification Occupational Psychology (D. Occ. Psych.)
Tuition Fees - 2013/14
Home/EU Fees
- Part Time - Annual Fee: £3,670
- Full Time - Annual Fee: £5,940
International Fees
- Part Time - Annual Fee: N/A
- Full Time - Annual Fee: N/A
Fees based on 30 credit modules (unless otherwise indicated) For further information regarding postgraduate fees please refer to www.uel.ac.uk/fees/
