Professional Doctorate in Systemic Psychotherapy (ref. M10)
This course aims to enable professionals who have qualified or will qualify as family therapists to continue their professional and academic development and to make original contributions to professional knowledge in the field through a substantial research project.
Who is this course for?
This part-time Doctorate research programme is intended for qualified professionals in systemic/family therapy.
Course Tutors Biographies
Charlotte Burck Biography
Bernadette Wren Biography
Reenee Singh Biography
Karen Partridge Biography
Content/Teaching components
Doctorate programme
This comprises of a 2 year taught programme held on a Thursday, followed by a year or more of completing the research and writing the doctoral thesis, with continued research supervision and attendance at research events. Students need to be able to commit at least 1 day per week to their research work.
The first year, which is supported by research teaching, seminars and supervision, leads to the submission of the research proposal which needs to be approved and registered by the University prior to beginning the research study.
The second year continues to be supported by a programme of research seminars and supervision.
The research work is supported by:
1. Research Seminars and Research Supervision Groups
2. Individual Supervision of Research
3. Research Symposiums
4. Invited Researcher Presentations
5. Data Analysis Sessions
6. Departmental and Clinic Events
The third and subsequent year/s comprise of the completion of the research and its writing up, supported by individual supervision and course events.
Assessment
The first year is assessed through the Masters' critique and the research proposal which needs to be approved by the University Registration Board.
The second year includes three assessed pieces of work in support of the research study.
The Doctorate programme is assessed on the basis of the research thesis. This will be examined by a panel appointed by the Assessment Board and will include a viva voce examination.
Thesis
The thesis will be expected to make an original contribution to the field of systemic therapy with families, couples, individuals or organisations. It will normally be based on clinical research in therapeutic settings or organisations, or research with implications for the systemic therapy field.
Download a list of completed Doctoral Theses from 2009
Student feedback
Past and current students consistently report on the relevance of participation in this programme to their thinking and practice in their setting.
Closing date
26 June (late applications may be considered) for the October intake.
Time commitment
The 2 year taught programme is held on a Thursday, fortnightly. The third and subsequent year is spent completing the research and writing up. Students need to be able to commit at least 1 day per week to their research work throughout the programme.
Entry requirement
Applicants who have previously completed their Masters level qualification in Systemic/Family Therapy and are already qualified as family therapists are eligible to apply to enter the Doctorate programme.
Continuation on the programme is conditional upon the research critique being assessed as of Doctoral standard by the Assessment Board and the thesis proposal approved by the University Registration Board.
