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 programme is intended for qualified professionals in systemic/family therapy.
Content/Teaching components
Preparatory year
- Carry out a critique of your Masters' level research
- Hone your research question
- Prepare you thesis proposal
Doctorate programme
This is a 2 year programme held on a Thursday, during which students undertake their research study and write their thesis.
This research work is supported by a programme of research seminars and research supervision.
Students need to be able to commit at least 1day per week to their research work.
The preparatory year
Research programme:
1. Research Seminars and Research Supervision Groups
2. Supervision of Research
3. Research Symposium
4. Invited Researchers
5. Departmental and Clinic Events
Assessment
The preparatory year is assessed through the Masters' critique and the research proposal which needs to be approved by the University Registration Board.
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.
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
26th June (late applications may be considered).
Time commitment
Preparatory year, followed by a 2 year Doctorate programme held on a Thursday.
Students need to be able to commit at least 1 day per week to their research work.
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 in the prepararatory year.
At the end of this year candidates will be required to:
1. Submit a critique of their Masters dissertation (4,000-6,000 words)
2. Submit their thesis proposal (maximum 10,000 words)
Entry into the research 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.
