The programme is designed to allow qualified practicing Occupational Psychologists to develop their professional competence through significant academic research. In association with the research component there is a structured programme of continuing professional development that aims to develop broader research skills

• Is one of only two such programmes within the UK and presently the only programme that offers a full-time option
• Is specially designed for working practitioners
• Has a professional practice focus both in the research and Continued Professional Development (CPD) components
• Has previously been described by an external examiner as having ‘a broader research base that has an average PhD and a more thorough grounding on appropriate research methodology’
• Attracts individuals from a wide range of organisational backgrounds - previous and continuing students work for organisations such as Ford Europe, UBS, The London Fire Brigade, or are independent practitioners
• Monthly seminars and study days for CPD
• Encourages the dissemination and publication of practitioner research

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.

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.

The programme involves a structured and supportive environment which includes seminars and workshops alongside individual research supervision during stages 2 and 3.

The learning outcomes are achieved through:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Practice based workshops
• Web-based learning
• Individual tutorials
• Group tutorials
• Research activities

There are three strands of assessment that are assessed in the final year (stage 3):

• Professional Practice - assessed through a reflective log book
• Academic level (Doctorate) and research - assessed through the research thesis

The programme provides high level continuing professional development through academic reflection on professional practice. It aims to develop both the practitioner and the profession.

The programme is designed to inject more rigour into practitioner research. It involves the solution of real problems in real organisations. It gives students the opportunity to develop one’s own ideas, work in groups and research specialised organisational topics.

Registration of the research component can only take place following a recommendation from the relevant School Research Degrees Sub-Committee to the university PGR Review Sub-Committee of the suitability of the candidate to undertake research, of the programme of research, of the supervision arrangements and of the research environment. These approvals require appropriate academic judgement to be brought to bear on the viability of each research proposal.

Candidates for a Professional Doctorate must, prior to the submission of the research derived assessment, successfully complete all assessed elements from the taught part of the programme.

Once the research stage of the programme is reached progression will be formally reviewed annually by a Panel comprised of staff with appropriate academic and professional expertise who are independent of the candidate’s supervisory team. The School’s Research Degrees Sub-Committee and the PGR Review Sub-Committee monitor the reports from these Panels.

The examination of the research component of the Professional Doctorate has two stages: firstly the submission and preliminary assessment of the research; and secondly its defence by oral examination.

• Individual development and support
• All tutors are practising Occupational Psychologists
• Opportunity to learn and enhance organisational consultancy skills
• Challenge to professional practice

Successful students can work as Occupational Psychologists in a wide range of organisational contexts. They can progress to senior management or take up specialist positions for organisational projects. Students will be able to use their research dissertations as evidence for both level 2 and level 3 areas of chartership which will lead to full membership of the DOP as laid down by the BPS.

• 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.