Programme summary for D. App. Ed. Ch. Psy Applied Educational and Child Psychology

This programme is no longer recruiting.

About the programme

This doctorate is designed to make a significant contribution to the advanced professional and academic development of qualified educational psychologists. It enables you to engage at an advanced level with a wide range of issues in educational psychology and allied professions, and to develop research skills. Independent research contributing to professional knowledge or practice is encouraged, and our paramount aim is to integrate theory and practice into all aspects of the programme.

Programme structure

Introduction

The programme is structured in that students are required to attend nine study days per year, and a research weekend. These cover a research methods programme, tutorials, seminars, workshops and student research study groups. Students are also required to attend tutorials with their supervisory team on a regular basis. The programme academic requirements include a Portfolio and Research Thesis.

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.

Career opportunities

Students who undertake this professional doctorate are normally already working and are on a career path. A number of previous students have obtained promotion to senior posts on successful completion of the programme. The selection of an overarching topic area may also lead students to be regarded as specialists in a specific area.

Support

We offer:

individual tutorial support entitlement of up to 9 guaranteed hours per academic year
access to UEL study support learning resources
peer based learning opportunities
negotiated learning
maximum choice of areas to be studied
an annual review of individual progress

Research methods training is offered via:

individual specialist tutor support
group seminars on specific research methods, data collection/analysis
paper-based and web resources

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

Eligibility

Candidates who are able to demonstrate that they have already successfully completed a recognised postgraduate professional training in educational psychology and are currently practising in this capacity are eligible to apply for the programme. A command of the English language is also required.

Applications

All candidates will complete and submit the standard university postgraduate application form which includes a requirement for two referees. Candidates will be asked to prepare a supporting paper of 1000-1500 words giving their reasons for wanting to join the programme, citing relevant evidence that they believe supports their ability to study at doctorate level and indicating the level of support available from their employing organisations.

Scrutiny of Applications

The following criteria will be used to evaluate applications for shortlisting for interview and as part of the process of deciding whether a place will be offered:

that the candidate meets all minimum requirements for eligibility
the candidate’s ability to achieve an academic standard appropriate to a professional doctorate programme
the candidate’s commitment to the programme and motivation, including the likelihood of meeting attendance and study deadlines
the candidate’s likely contribution to the cohort of students by virtue of background and experience
the availability of an appropriate level of support from the candidate’s employing organisation to enable them to complete work place assignments

Interviewing and selection

Following scrutiny of application forms short listed applicants will be invited for an interview. This is intended to be an opportunity for candidates to learn more about the programme as well as a means of selection. At the interview, candidates will have the opportunity to discuss their ideas and plans in more detail.

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 8.0 points (or equivalent) is required with a minimum of 6.5 points being achieved at each language level. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education postgraduate programmes