Health
Suitable for a broad range of healthcare practitioners, the Professional Doctorate in Health (DProf) is an exciting initiative, and will provide you with a high level, vocationally focused award. It’s ideal for nurses, medical/paramedical practitioners, allied health professionals, midwives and health care educators.
Offering an equivalent to PhD level, the DProf provides an opportunity for you to complete an advanced programme of study, focused on your individual needs. The programme builds upon an existing suite of awards for the professional education of practitioners.
The doctorate uses a range of master’s modules for Stage 1. Stage 2 comprises the doctoral research at Level 8 taking you through to your final thesis.
Why study with us
- The two-stage structure (MSc/DProf ) means that you can progressively develop your research in practice part-time culminating in doctoral research.
- You will engage in developing original research that will impact professional practice and policy.
- You will receive one-to-one support from an experienced supervisory team who have expertise in your chosen research topic.
What you'll do
- Depending on the modules chosen, the modes of study may include campus study or e-learning.
- The award of DProf consists of two stages. The first stage is made up of the taught element of the programme. The second stage comprises independent research leading to the submission of a thesis.
Modules
Compulsory modules
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.
- Module code
- NU4025
In this module you will be provided with the research skills that are needed to design and conduct a piece of research within your chosen set of ideas. You will choose between sessions from either or both of the quantitative and qualitative sections to suit your research topic.
- Module code
- NU4026
Optional modules
In this module, you will engage in a critical evaluation of the conceptual and evidence-based framework of the ‘therapeutic relationship’. You will reflect on the current status of this within your own professional practice. You will investigate the dynamic tension between ‘self’ and ‘the self as practitioner’ to better understand your role in patient health outcomes.
- Module code
- NU4085
This module will develop your understanding of statistical concepts so you can study a variety of statistical analysis techniques and apply these methods and techniques in order to interpret the output in a medical context with the ability to communicate these results.
- Module code
- NU4091
This unit of study will give you an understanding of the issues and concepts of the design and analysis of clinical trials.
- Module code
- NU4092
This module aims to provide you with an understanding of a range of systematic review methods. You will find a particular focus on applying these methods within both research and health and social care practice.
- Module code
- NU4094
You will study a range of approaches implemented for improving service delivery, such as scientific findings, EBP guidelines, Co-Design protocols, care processes or best practices.
- Module code
- NU4074
The first aim of the module is to provide a forum to debate and discuss the contemporary issues, policy and initiatives. You will draw upon past experience and knowledge, as well as current thinking, dialogue and debate. You will also develop essential skills for effective teaching at Higher Education level through self-appraisal, reflection and evaluation.
- Module code
- NU4087
In this module, you will develop your knowledge, skills, and behaviours for multi-professional learning, supervision, and the assessment of students in health and social care settings.
- Module code
- NU4096
The module aims to develop your skills, knowledge and understanding in public health and social policy in order to lead professional practice.
- Module code
- NU4124
Examine the philosophical and practical implications of the provision of an integrated healthcare system or service. You'll examine working models and explore contemporary debates. You'll also critically analyse the meaning, challenges and benefits of integrated healthcare.
- Module code
- NU4084
On this module, you'll explore the nature of the typical consultation, deconstructing the consultation process while looking at the tension between 'self' and 'the self as practitioner' to understand your role in patient health outcomes.
- Module code
- NU4141
You will learn how to make effective use of information and associated technology. You'll learn about the significance of technology within the NHS and international healthcare contexts, and how to apply professional concepts. You will learn about the relationship between data entities and how data is used.
- Module code
- HI4001
In this module, you'll evaluate technologies and their constraints within primary and community healthcare. You will examine electronic health records, and evaluate the legal and ethical implications of new technology. You'll also develop a data-sharing app to show your understanding of technology.
- Module code
- HI4006
The aim of the module is to provide you with the opportunity to consider the concept of leadership and the changing approaches, roles and responsibilities of leaders in contemporary and future healthcare organisations.
- Module code
- NU4805
This module will give you an understanding of quality assurance and the ability to apply it to the NHS and other organisations. You'll evaluate initiatives in terms of your ability to deliver quality assurance. You'll also understand the information and limitations of managing quality in healthcare. You will also assess how clinical governance has evolved, to give you a better understanding of how quality assurance works in healthcare.
- Module code
- HI4007
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.
- Module code
- EZ4007
The module covers key aspects of the clinical process (psychopathology, classification, diagnosis, aetiology and prognosis), research and the use of evidence. It applies the concepts and tools of the philosophy of science to the nature of observation in the context of mental health care; the relation or not between the presence of values in psychiatric classification and its validity; the connection between diagnosis and explanation and the question of whether diagnostic skill can be codified; the relation of causal and meaningful explanation and the problem of induction and Evidence Based Medicine.
- Module code
- EZ4008
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.
- Module code
- EZ4009
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.
- Module code
- EZ4010
This double module aims to enhance your knowledge of assessment of clients with personality disorder, the management of risk and various therapeutic approaches to develop individualised programmes of care. We will explore the impact of working with this client group, the recognition of interpersonal and interprofessional issues, and evidence-based approaches to care. This involves a comparative analysis of research and practice in other countries, including USA, Canada and Holland.
- Module code
- NU4015
The aims of this module are to provide you with a theoretical understanding of personality disorder, its classification and the construct of 'personality disorder' as a terminology and diagnosis and enable you to examine your personal, organisational and societal perspectives on personality disorder.
- Module code
- NU4309
This module will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to work independently and produce a substantial piece of academic work. You'll address a complex area of knowledge, including some in the forefront of integrative therapy. You'll also develop the ability to review the literature and research in an area of special interest to you.
- Module code
- CG4001
You'll advance your knowledge base and skills to engage with contemporary social issues. Importantly, the consequences for maternal and child health. You'll also explore the impact of social processes and cultural norms on maternal and child health practices.
- Module code
- MW4035
Learn to critically apply your theoretical insights to midwifery practice for women who are expecting a normal pregnancy. You will work on a range of concepts and you can then have a greater capacity to apply them to practical situations.
- Module code
- MW4052
This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to reflect upon your experiences and advance your knowledge and skills in three key areas. First how psychosocial factors interact and influence access, perceptions and experiences of midwifery and wider perinatal care. Second, the specific interventions and support in place to address psychosocial wellbeing, and finally the wider implications of psychosocial wellbeing on maternal, child and family health.
- Module code
- MW4033
On this module, you will develop to be a practitioner as a leaders and/or a manager who can think critically, strategically and be able to facilitate change and influence policy.
- Module code
- MW4036
This module aims to develop and prepare advanced health and social care educators who can confidently take part in all educational processes, policy development and are able to support the development of competent health and social care professionals within appropriate legal and ethical frameworks.
- Module code
- MW4015
Compulsory modules
In this module you will progress from theory to practice in research within a clear ethical framework. You will be introduced to meta-ethical theories, ethical challenges, and the principles of research governance. During the module, you will develop a real research proposal. The module is also available in an e-learning format.
- Module code
- HP4006
Optional modules
This module aims to develop your cognitive skills and knowledge around the rhetoric and reality of the structures that influence contemporary practice. It aims to explore the myths and ‘sacred cows’ that underpin practice through critical consideration of the issues, tensions and challenges surrounding their practice using different philosophical perspectives. The module will provide a shared platform where you can build a broad appreciation of knowledge and practice issues before focusing on specific issues.
- Module code
- NU4013
In this module, you will engage in a critical evaluation of the conceptual and evidence-based framework of the ‘therapeutic relationship’. You will reflect on the current status of this within your own professional practice. You will investigate the dynamic tension between ‘self’ and ‘the self as practitioner’ to better understand your role in patient health outcomes.
- Module code
- NU4085
This module will develop your understanding of statistical concepts so you can study a variety of statistical analysis techniques and apply these methods and techniques in order to interpret the output in a medical context with the ability to communicate these results.
- Module code
- NU4091
This unit of study will give you an understanding of the issues and concepts of the design and analysis of clinical trials.
- Module code
- NU4092
This module aims to provide health and social care researchers working within a range of different practice settings with necessary knowledge and skills for supporting service users and carers to be involved in all stages of the research process. The module further aims to develop an appreciation of the value of such involvement for enhancing the quality of health and social care research and improving research impact.
- Module code
- NU4093
This module aims to provide you with an understanding of a range of systematic review methods. You will find a particular focus on applying these methods within both research and health and social care practice.
- Module code
- NU4094
You will study a range of approaches implemented for improving service delivery, such as scientific findings, EBP guidelines, Co-Design protocols, care processes or best practices.
- Module code
- NU4074
The first aim of the module is to provide a forum to debate and discuss the contemporary issues, policy and initiatives. You will draw upon past experience and knowledge, as well as current thinking, dialogue and debate. You will also develop essential skills for effective teaching at Higher Education level through self-appraisal, reflection and evaluation.
- Module code
- NU4087
In this module, you will develop your knowledge, skills, and behaviours for multi-professional learning, supervision, and the assessment of students in health and social care settings.
- Module code
- NU4096
This module aims to develop your skills and knowledge base in the practice of homeopathy. You will be able to explore and critically discern the methods which underpin the practice.
- Module code
- NU4080
This module will engage you in a critical evaluation of the concepts and evidence for the clinical practice of herbal medicine. The intention of this debate is to develop a higher level of reasoning in the composition of prescriptions. The emphasis is on the evaluation of the traditional knowledge base for prescribing and treatment strategies in Western herbal medicine. You will also engage with current evidence on the effectiveness, efficacy, quality and safety of herbal medicines.
- Module code
- NU4081
The module aims to develop your skills, knowledge and understanding in public health and social policy in order to lead professional practice.
- Module code
- NU4124
Examine the philosophical and practical implications of the provision of an integrated healthcare system or service. You'll examine working models and explore contemporary debates. You'll also critically analyse the meaning, challenges and benefits of integrated healthcare.
- Module code
- NU4084
On this module, you'll explore the nature of the typical consultation, deconstructing the consultation process while looking at the tension between 'self' and 'the self as practitioner' to understand your role in patient health outcomes.
- Module code
- NU4141
In this module, you will critically appraise the issues, policies and underpinning theory surrounding the safeguarding of children in a multi-disciplinary environment. You will synthesise your findings and consider appropriate strategies to implement procedures and work collaboratively to safeguard children.
- Module code
- NU4021
This module will provide practitioners with a comprehensive understanding of the clinical presentation of chronic cardiac illness and its impact on the patient and carer. It will enable them to critically analyse the evidence base for current practice and the impact of policy on service provision in order to contribute to the development and management of patient focused care for their client group.
- Module code
- NU4153
You will learn how to make effective use of information and associated technology. You'll learn about the significance of technology within the NHS and international healthcare contexts, and how to apply professional concepts. You will learn about the relationship between data entities and how data is used.
- Module code
- HI4001
In this module, you'll evaluate technologies and their constraints within primary and community healthcare. You will examine electronic health records, and evaluate the legal and ethical implications of new technology. You'll also develop a data-sharing app to show your understanding of technology.
- Module code
- HI4006
The aim of the module is to provide you with the opportunity to consider the concept of leadership and the changing approaches, roles and responsibilities of leaders in contemporary and future healthcare organisations.
- Module code
- NU4805
This module will give you an understanding of quality assurance and the ability to apply it to the NHS and other organisations. You'll evaluate initiatives in terms of your ability to deliver quality assurance. You'll also understand the information and limitations of managing quality in healthcare. You will also assess how clinical governance has evolved, to give you a better understanding of how quality assurance works in healthcare.
- Module code
- HI4007
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.
- Module code
- EZ4007
The module covers key aspects of the clinical process (psychopathology, classification, diagnosis, aetiology and prognosis), research and the use of evidence. It applies the concepts and tools of the philosophy of science to the nature of observation in the context of mental health care; the relation or not between the presence of values in psychiatric classification and its validity; the connection between diagnosis and explanation and the question of whether diagnostic skill can be codified; the relation of causal and meaningful explanation and the problem of induction and Evidence Based Medicine.
- Module code
- EZ4008
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.
- Module code
- EZ4009
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.
- Module code
- EZ4010
This double module aims to enhance your knowledge of assessment of clients with personality disorder, the management of risk and various therapeutic approaches to develop individualised programmes of care. We will explore the impact of working with this client group, the recognition of interpersonal and interprofessional issues, and evidence-based approaches to care. This involves a comparative analysis of research and practice in other countries, including USA, Canada and Holland.
- Module code
- NU4015
The aims of this module are to provide you with a theoretical understanding of personality disorder, its classification and the construct of 'personality disorder' as a terminology and diagnosis and enable you to examine your personal, organisational and societal perspectives on personality disorder.
- Module code
- NU4309
This module aims to develop your ability to analyse the relationship between practitioners and clients with complex mental health needs. You will examine the different methods of managing individuals and how to come up with proposals for change.
- Module code
- NU4019
In this module, you will explore and critically evaluate the underlying theory and practical techniques of cognitive behavioural interventions. You will develop enhanced knowledge and skills in cognitive behavioural interventions for anxiety and depression in primary care.
- Module code
- NU4017
This module will give you the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to work independently and produce a substantial piece of academic work. You'll address a complex area of knowledge, including some in the forefront of integrative therapy. You'll also develop the ability to review the literature and research in an area of special interest to you.
- Module code
- CG4001
You'll advance your knowledge base and skills to engage with contemporary social issues. Importantly, the consequences for maternal and child health. You'll also explore the impact of social processes and cultural norms on maternal and child health practices.
- Module code
- MW4035
The module explores maternal, foetal and infant nutrition within a cultural and societal framework. It examines the needs of mothers and their babies from birth to one year of age and explores the nutritional aspects of the causes of outcomes such as low birth weight, low breast milk output, and growth faltering and debates the controversy surrounding specific nutritional interventions to address these problems.
- Module code
- MW4109
This module will develop your knowledge of women using drugs through their pregnancy. You will learn about the importance of holistic care as well as maternal and neonatal issues. You will also learn about the diversity of the cultural and societal frameworks in which we live.
- Module code
- MW4011
Learn to critically apply your theoretical insights to midwifery practice for women who are expecting a normal pregnancy. You will work on a range of concepts and you can then have a greater capacity to apply them to practical situations.
- Module code
- MW4052
This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to reflect upon your experiences and advance your knowledge and skills in three key areas. First how psychosocial factors interact and influence access, perceptions and experiences of midwifery and wider perinatal care. Second, the specific interventions and support in place to address psychosocial wellbeing, and finally the wider implications of psychosocial wellbeing on maternal, child and family health.
- Module code
- MW4033
On this module, you will develop to be a practitioner as a leaders and/or a manager who can think critically, strategically and be able to facilitate change and influence policy.
- Module code
- MW4036
The aim of this module is to critically explore from a global perspective, contraception and sexual reproductive health issues and their impact on midwifery practice.
- Module code
- MW4034
This module aims to provide you with the opportunity to reflect upon your experience and knowledge of infant and family nurturing and synthesise new learning. The objective of the module is to positively influence care delivery and organisation across the range of infant and family care settings. You'll have an emphasis upon fostering greater emotional engagement with and by families.
- Module code
- MW4031
This module aims to develop and prepare advanced health and social care educators who can confidently take part in all educational processes, policy development and are able to support the development of competent health and social care professionals within appropriate legal and ethical frameworks.
- Module code
- MW4015
Compulsory modules
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.
- Module code
- PG5002
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.
How to apply for postgraduate research
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Entry requirements
- There are several entry points onto the Professional Doctorate.
- Students will register for the Professional Doctorate on entry into Stage 1, with at least a first degree in an appropriate subject at 2:1 or above and professional practice experience. Advice and support will be provided by the Course Leader to ensure their profile is appropriate.
- Students identify their wish to enter the Professional Doctorate when they have completed the PG Diploma. They will have completed two healthcare research modules, one research and ethics module and three option modules or their equivalent. Participants will have achieved an overall grade of 60% or over.
- Students will enter the programme having completed an appropriate Masters programme. Participants will have achieved an overall grade of 60% or over, and have completed equivalent of the compulsory research modules.
- Entry by applicants with appropriate postgraduate qualifications will be considered for entry with advanced standing.
- Applicants who meet the criteria for entry will be interviewed providing an opportunity to evaluate potential to benefit and succeed. Interviews will include discussion of the proposed research area to ensure appropriate supervisory team allocation.
Fees and funding
As part of your course there may be additional costs to consider that are not included in your tuition fees. Most of these will be optional, but some courses have essential additional costs. Find out more about additional costs.
As part of your course there may be additional costs to consider that are not included in your tuition fees. Most of these will be optional, but some courses have essential additional costs. Find out more about additional costs.
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.
We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.
Teaching and Learning activities will comprise seminars, workshops, lectures and independent learning. The course will primarily focus on interactive and discursive participant centred activity to ensure you are encouraged to ‘make sense’ and explore your research informed practice development.
You will also be encouraged, through assignments and e-learning, to continue debates and discussions beyond the classroom in the virtual environment, supported by the team where appropriate. Assignments will be especially important as they will be an opportunity for you to progress your research, synthesise and explore your knowledge, and practice critically and reflexively as is appropriate for the researching professional.
To gain the doctorate, candidates need to pass both the ‘taught’ and ‘research’ elements. After completing Stage 1, the Master level, you work toward Stage 2.
The assessment on the DProf has been carefully planned to support and complement your research and learning, and in particular to maximise your ability to progress your individual doctoral research. You will find it is characterised by a requirement to engage in critical reflexivity and interrogation of your own research and that of others and to reflect the research planning and development cycle. Our use of the full calendar year for the award means that you can maximise periods of reduced academic demand for reflection and writing as befits a practitioner-researcher, especially given the way you may make use of your practice to situate and focus your research.
Learning outcome and aims
The Programme Learning Outcomes address the for areas of ‘Knowledge and Understanding’, ‘Subject-specific skills’, ‘Thinking Skills’ and other skills relevant to employment, which characterise the concept of a professional practitioner contributing through research to the advancement of both knowledge and practice. They also comply with the objectives of the Research Skills Council.
By the end of this course you will be able to:
- Create, synthesise, interpret and critique new knowledge through original research and advanced scholarship of a quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of your discipline and merit publication.
- Play a leading role in the promotion, development and support of a research culture within practitioners’ own communities of practice and its wider context.
- Critically appraise and apply techniques for research and advanced academic enquiry.
- Apply critical understanding of how applied research can inform, develop, and impact on professional practice and processes of change.
- Be able to communicate ideas and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences in clinical and research contexts.
- Reflect critically upon the inter-relationship between policy, research and developing professional practice.
This course is delivered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery
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