ProfD HaSC PROFESSIONAL DOCTORATE IN HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE

What is a Professional Doctorate (ProfD)?
Doctoral level research studies leading to 540 credits at level 8
Some taught modules followed by an independent research project (with supervision) in the workplace.
Part-time study (0.4fte) over 5 (+1) years 
A mutually supportive learning environment of lecturers and fellow students from a wide range of disciplines.  
A Professional Doctorate is defined as an award equivalent in level to a PhD but includes some taught components. Its distinguishing feature is the focus on professional development, rather than research. Therefore the emphasis of learning, teaching and assessment is on application to practice.

Why do a ProfD?
To advance your applied research skills
To demonstrate an original contribution to knowledge and application of that knowledge in your area of practice
To build research capacity in the workplace
To enhance evidence based practice
To get a doctorate that has meaning to your practice, and benefit to service users and your organisation. 

The Aims of the Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care at the UEA
To advance the knowledge and practice of professionals through:

• Critical enquiry and evaluation of current literature, policies and practice
• Critical reflection and evaluation on personal and professional development
• Advanced academic enquiry leading to the generation of new knowledge at the forefront of their practice
• Effective project management
• Original research and advanced autonomous scholarship
• Dissemination of original and creative insights to inform innovation and enhancement of health and social care. 

What does the ProfD look like?
Year 1, Mod 1   Engaging with Study at Doctoral Level
(Oct-Jan)    2 days taught, 286 independent study hrs        30 credits

Year 1, Mod 2   Advancing Professional Practice
(Feb-Jul)    4 days taught, 572 independent study hrs        60 credits

Year 2, Mod 3   Planning New Knowledge 
(Oct-Jul)    6 days taught, 858 independent study hrs        90 credits

Years 3-5 (+1)   Generating New Knowledge
Primary research study (Doctoral thesis)                360 credits

Course enquiries

The ProfD HaSC has a start date every other year. The next start date will be in October 2021.

If you have any queries in relation to an aspect of the ProfD HaSC or would like to discuss your application please email: Prof Nicola Spalding

Entry Requirements

The Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care (ProfD HaSC) is an award at the highest academic level. It is different to the PhD in that it encourages relevant professional development that is applicable to the needs of the individual's professional practice.

You will be expected to hold a Masters degree and evidence of research experience is preferable. You will also be expected to demonstrate experience working as a registered health or social care professional (normally a minimum of 3 years).

How to apply

Please ensure that your application is accompanied by:

• Official transcripts and certificates (in English) of your higher education qualifications.
• A Personal Statement
• A CV detailing your work experience to date.
• One academic reference.
• One letter of support from your line manager.
• An official copy of your English language results (if relevant)
• A Research Proposal of up to 2,000 words

The research proposal

The research proposal submitted with the application is not expected to be a perfect or finished product, as it is likely to undergo changes over the course of the first two years of study, in consultation with your supervisory team. However, it has an important role to play in that it is used to judge both the quality of the proposed project as well as the fit of the topic with the research expertise and supervisory availability within the school.

A successful research proposal should focus on a viable health or social issue of relevance to you as a professional and your organisation. Please provide the following:

Title: Provide a clear and succinct title.
Background and rationale: Set out the context of your project with supporting literature and include a sense of the contribution the research can make to the field.
Aims of the investigation and research questions: Clearly identify the problem to be explored, the aims of the study and the research questions.
Design: Outline your proposed methodology and methods. Provide a rationale for these choices. Include details of who will form your sample and how you will gather your data.
Data Analysis: Demonstrate the principles of organising and interpreting the data to address the research question.
Ethical considerations: Outline how you will adhere to research ethic principles and practice.
Time frame: A reasonable timescale for completion (see the course structure to get a feel for how this might assist you)

Selection to the course will be based on the proposal's quality, applicant's qualifications, interview, as well as on the availability of supervisors with appropriate expertise and interest in your area of research.

Apply now

Begin your application to study the Professional Doctorate in Health and Social Care.

In our course virtual open events, Programme Director Prof Nicola Spalding will give an overview of programme with plenty of opportunities to ask questions.

We are holding these open events on:

• 21 January 2021, 4.30pm
• 18 March 2021, 5pm
• 27 April 2021, 5pm

Contact Christine Sellgren to book your place: c.sellgren@uea.ac.uk.

Once your booking is confirmed you will emailed a link to join the virtual event on Microsoft Teams.