The Doctorate in Educational Psychology (EdPsyD) is a three year full-time postgraduate training programme.
Based in the School of Education and Lifelong Learning, the programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). Upon successful completion of this three-year, full-time programme, trainees are eligible to apply for HCPC registration and, upon admittance to the Register, practise as an Educational Psychologist. Trainees will also be eligible to apply for Chartered Membership of the BPS.
The newest of only 13 programmes in England, this programme was established to meet demand for qualified Educational Psychologists in the East of England. The training programme supports trainees to develop the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver high quality, evidence-based psychological services to children and young people from birth to 25-years-of age within education, community and children’s services settings. The programme draws upon a broad range of psychological theory which is framed within the principles of evidence informed practice, critical psychology and social justice. We place importance on a reflective/reflexive approach and the promotion of inclusive practice. Trainees develop the ability to critically analyse and synthesise complex psychological and educational information and, through the application of consultation, intervention and assessment models, have a positive impact on the lives of children, young people and their families.
The EdPsyD integrates theory, research and practice. We achieve this through a mixture of taught sessions, experiential groups, problem-based learning, discussion, debates, professional practice placements and research projects. Trainees are supported by a university tutor from within course team and a fieldwork supervisor whilst on placement. Trainees are allocated a primary research supervisor and access additional support from the wider course supervisory team and have access to bespoke research training when undertaking their thesis.
We are proud to work in partnership with a wide range of local, regional and national partners to ensure a high quality, contemporary and relevant training programme. Our partners include Eastern Region local authority psychology services, schools, parents and carers, and the wider educational psychology training community. Our most recent BPS accreditation report commended us on: our creation of a positive environment in which trainees are supported in taking a critical stance and are excited by the challenges on offer; the commitment and speed at which we respond to and act upon student feedback and our own experience; our convening of an active Experts by Experience Group and utilisation of their expertise.
We aim for our programme to be challenging, collaborative and nurturing for our trainees to prepare them to work as creative, reflective/reflexive and ethically responsible practitioners.
For help with making an application for a funded place please contact EPFT@aep.org.uk.