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DProf

Professional Practice Community & Social Care: Policy & Practice

Attendance

Campus

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Duration

5-7 years

Start

September 2023

Delivery

Distance Learning

Our unique Doctor of Professional Practice qualification in Community Social Care Policy and Practice is delivered entirely online, offering you a flexible route into doctorate-level study. It’s aimed at current social work, care and community professionals who want to develop advanced research skills which will empower them to have a positive impact on practice and policy.

This course is being reapproved under the University’s normal cycle of review. As such, the course structure and content may be changed to enable the University to deliver a better quality of educational experience to students.

Are you interested in developing the skills you need to make sense of the social world within which your profession operates? This course will equip you with the essential knowledge and skills you need to undertake research in community practice, social work, social care and policy.

It will enable you to make an original contribution to professional knowledge through advanced academic enquiry. You’ll develop an understanding of how applied research can inform, develop and impact upon professional community practice and the development of social policy.

As well as learning how to understand and undertake research, you’ll discover how to appraise and synthesise a substantial body of knowledge at the forefront of your discipline and harness it to bring about positive change in your area of practice .

Why study with us

This is the first course within the UK to deliver totally online doctoral study. Through various interactive online learning opportunities, you’ll develop your own supportive research community.
Because it’s delivered totally online, you can work flexibly and fit the demands of this course around your everyday work and other commitments.

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What you'll do

You’ll benefit from expert support from a selected supervisory team throughout the course. During the course you’ll get to engage with professorial staff who are international experts within their chosen field.

Module overview

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Looking to start your postgraduate journey?

Our range of subjects and study modes can support your goals, take your next step with a postgraduate degree.

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Academic expertise

Future careers

This doctoral qualification could enable you to move into academia or professional research as well as increasing your status and advancing your career within your professional field.

Fees and funding

2022/23

Full-time£5,000 per year (year 1-4), £1,000 per year thereafter

Part-time£2,500 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country and see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

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This course makes use of online tools to create a rich and productive learning environment. The taught element takes place over the first two years and enables you to learn the underpinning knowledge and research skills necessary to complete a doctoral thesis and become an established research professional.

You’ll participate in online lectures, discussion groups and a supportive ‘virtual café’ which will allow you to interact with other students and researchers and support each other’s learning.

The assessments in the first two years are a combination of written assignments and presentations. Once you’ve successfully completed the taught element of the course, you’ll progress onto the thesis.

Through a process of intensive online supervision, you’ll undertake your own piece of original research which you’ll write up as a thesis. Finally, this thesis will be orally examined through a viva voce, which you’ll be required to attend in person.

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This course is based in the School of Social Work, Care and Community located in the Faculty of Allied Health and Wellbeing

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page