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DProf

Psychotherapy Studies

Attendance

Location

Start

Duration

5-7 Years

Start

September 2024

Delivery

Distance Learning

Our Professional Doctorate in Psychotherapy Studies is designed for experienced psychotherapists or health professionals who wish to contribute to research and the advancement of knowledge and practice in this field.

This programme is only available as an online distance learning course, which provides high quality learning and teaching combined with flexible study.

This innovative online doctoral programme is equivalent in status and challenge to a PhD. We welcome applications from experienced psychotherapists and other health professionals who have an advanced research interest.

The course focuses on your development as a professional and your ability to lead and contribute to research in this field. As such, this award is about career, professional and personal development and expertise.

All learning will take place online. Meetings with your tutor will take place either via video conferencing tools or in person if convenient for you. You’ll engage in interactive discussions and debates in a virtual environment, giving you opportunities to explore and advance your knowledge and engage in critical reflection.

Why study with us

This course is delivered entirely online, so you can work flexibly and combine personal development with your everyday professional practice.
You’ll be supported and encouraged to communicate your research findings in peer reviewed journals, enabling you to make a contribution to both theory and practice in psychotherapy.

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What you'll do

As a student on this course you’ll be part of an experienced research-active team and get to immerse yourself in our lively research culture through conferences, events, access to external speakers and opportunities to share your work in progress.

Module overview

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Stage 1

Compulsory modules

NU4025: Introduction to Postgraduate Research
NU4086: Applying Methods in Health Research
HP4006: Research, Ethics and Governance
EZ4007: A Philosophical History of Psychopathology
EZ4009: Values, Ethics and Mental Health
EZ4010: Philosophy of Mind and Mental Health
NU4053: Dissertation

NU4025: Introduction to Postgraduate Research

This module aims to develop your understanding of research within health and social care. You will be presented with a broad overview of the principles of research beginning with ethical, epistemological and theoretical perspectives, and moving through qualitative and quantitative research designs, and synthesis.

EZ4007: A Philosophical History of Psychopathology

The aim of the module is to examine the philosophical history of the core concepts of mental disorder and psychopathology both amongst the originators of modern psychopathology and the influences on them of prior philosophical phenomenology. In addressing this aim, emphasis will be placed on looking at the continuity between this history and modern developments. The key figure is Karl Jaspers the inventor of modern psychopathology, his debt to Husserl, and the connection between his ideas of empathy and modern views.

EZ4009: Values, Ethics and Mental Health

The module examines the broader range of conceptual tools required for assessing the role of values in mental as opposed to physical health. It begins by using practical cases to explore the kind of reasoning skills needed in the case of mental health; the history of the tradition of bio-ethics applied, mainly, to physical health; an introduction to some of the legal concepts used in physical and mental health especially capacity and consent; the relation between ethics and values; the developing tools of Values Based Practice.

EZ4010: Philosophy of Mind and Mental Health

The module aims to examine a series of key topics from the philosophy of mind which impacts on conceptual issues from psychiatry, mental health care, psychopathology and neuroscience. These include brain imaging and the mind body problem; cognitive neuropsychiatry and reductionist accounts of mental content; discursive psychology and anti-reductionist accounts of mental content; agency, freedom and neuropsychiatry; delusions.

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Stage 2

Compulsory modules

PG5002: Professional Doctorate Dissertation

PG5002: Professional Doctorate Dissertation

The dissertation will form a major component of your programme of study. You will be expected to take responsibility for designing, conducting, analysing and interpreting the results of a substantial investigation relevant to an area of your professional practice, which will make a contribution to your particular professional discipline.

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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Gill is an Adult and Mental Health Nurse, Integrative Counsellor and BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist. She is currently discipline lead for Counselling and Psychotherapy at UCLan. She has over 20 years of Academic experience and leadership in Higher Educatio...

Future Careers

This course has been specially designed to advance your career development as a psychotherapy professional who is engaged in research which will advance knowledge and professional practice within the field. This will lead to associated benefits for your employer, patients, clients and the wider profession.

Fees and funding

2023/24

Distance Part-time£2,500 per year

International

Distance Part-time£2,500 per year

2024/25

Distance Part-time£2,500 per year

International

Distance Part-time£2,500 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

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

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

Select your country/region

Alumni Loyalty Discount
UK students with a previous award from us will receive 20% tuition fee discount.
Find out more about Alumni Loyalty Discount

There are two distinct stages to this course. Stage 1 involves completing several taught modules, while Stage 2 involves completing an extended thesis.

Teaching and learning activities will comprise online lectures, workshops and independent study. All taught modules will be delivered through e-learning. You’ll engage in regular discussions and debates with your peers, giving you opportunities to advance your knowledge, progress your research and reflect critically on your professional practice.

Assessment on this course has been carefully planned to support and complement your research and learning, particularly with a view to progressing your individual doctoral research.

After completing the doctoral thesis and oral exam, the examiners may recommend:

that the candidate pass the research element of the award
that the candidate pass the research element of the award subject to minor amendments being made to the thesis to the satisfaction of the internal examiner
that the candidate be referred and be permitted to resubmit the thesis for re-examination without a further oral examination
that the candidate be referred and be permitted to resubmit the thesis for re-examination and undergo a further oral examination.

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This course is based in the School of Health, Social Work and Sport

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

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Psychotherapy Studies

Why study with us

What you'll do

Module overview

Stage 1

NU4025: Introduction to Postgraduate Research

NU4086: Applying Methods in Health Research

HP4006: Research, Ethics and Governance

EZ4007: A Philosophical History of Psychopathology

EZ4009: Values, Ethics and Mental Health

EZ4010: Philosophy of Mind and Mental Health

NU4053: Dissertation

Stage 2

PG5002: Professional Doctorate Dissertation

Looking to start your postgraduate journey?

Academic expertise

Future Careers

Fees and funding

Course Specific Optional Costs

Course Specific Optional Costs

Scholarships and bursaries

Alumni Loyalty Discount

Learning and assessment

Further information