Professional Doctorate in Social Work and Emotional Wellbeing
Gain an advanced, specialised training in social work practice, management and/or education.
Who is this course for?
You need at least two years post-qualifying work experience in social work, a recognised social work qualification (or equivalent), and usually a good honours degree (or equivalent).
Aims
Develop your capacities and skills to the highest level within modern social care, NHS and educational settings.
Apply psychodynamic concepts to enhance understanding of your practice, management or teaching within a wide range of organisational contexts.
Understand the emotional impact of social work practice on the practitioner, manager and educator.
Develop understanding of the individual and social dynamics of exclusion, marginalisation and change processes in individual therapeutic, group and organisational settings.
Content/Teaching components
Part 1 of the course, leading to the relevant advanced level GSCC Award (taken over three years part time study, one day a week) consists of a number of taught elements including a programme of structured work discussion.
All students take a 'major' pathway over two years.
The GSCC award pathways:
- Children and young people, their families and carers
- Social work with adults
- Social work in mental health services
- Leadership, management
- Practice education
The Doctoral Thesis
The academic standard of this Professional Doctorate is equivalent to a conventional PhD, but it enables advanced and intensive learning and research to be rooted in professional practice.
Closing date
End of August 2011 (late applications may be considered).
Selection procedure
The application form for the programme will ask candidates to provide an extended discussion of their reasons for applying for the integrated Doctorate at this stage in their professional careers and to articulate their choice of proposed major pathway and how they propose to make use of the kinds of learning opportunity afforded by the programme and the Tavistock Centre.
Time commitment
Participants will be expected to attend the Tavistock Centre for seminars during part 1 of the programme.
For years 1and 2, these will normally be held on Tuesdays. In year 3, they are held on Thursdays.
Students undertaking clinical work or receiving supervision at the Tavistock Centre may need to be able to attend at other times as well.
Year 4 attendance is usually on Thursday, fortnightly.
Entry requirement
Minimum entry requirements to the programme are:
- 2 years post qualifying experience in social work, with a recognised social work qualification (DipSW/CQSW/CSS/Social Work Degree or equivalent).
- A good (First or Second class) honours degree (or equivalent).
- Employment within social work.
- Evidence of suitability for practice and of a commitment to learning from experience, and deploying psychoanalytic concepts for professional understanding .
- There is provision for entry with advanced standing, subject to fulfilling other entry criteria. In exceptional cases, the Registration Board may consider an application for direct entry to Part 2.
