(Professional Doctorate) Professional Doctorate
Psychodynamic Counselling
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies
Colchester Campus
Doctorate
Part-time
DOCTC89P36
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
None
Admission criteria
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
External Examiners for research degrees are appointed student by student due to the highly specialised nature of the awards. The names and institutions of External Examiners for research degrees are therefore not published on the programme specification. Supervisors discuss with students appropriate External Examiners and nominees are appointed in accordance with the University’s Ordinances. More information can be found in the Principal Regulations for Research Degrees and the accompanying Code of Practice.
External examiners
Dr Judith Trowell
Private psychiatrist and psychotherapist
None
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
This degree constitutes the academic and research top-up for graduates with a substantial at least masters-level training in psychodynamic counselling of at least 3 years’ duration. It will also support students towards personal BACP accreditation.
The course aims to provide students with relevant knowledge and skills so that they can conduct a rigorous piece of original research in the field of psychodynamic counselling. This could be theoretical/literature-based or empirical, employing qualitative or quantitative methodologies.
The aim of the first year is to enable graduates of MA/MSc Psychodynamic trainings to make the transition from practitioner to researcher. Thereafter they will be supported in conducting their individual doctoral research projects.
There are few professional doctorates in counselling. Exeter/BPF run a similar doctorate in psychodynamic psychotherapy. Other doctoral programmes exist which include the training component. This course enables those who have already completed a full relevant training to add the academic and research component to progress and contribute to the field.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Knowledge of research literature in their field and an understanding of how this knowledge relates to their research question
A2: Knowledge of the range of available research approaches and an understanding of how this knowledge relates to their chosen area of research
A3: Knowledge of different research methodologies and an understanding of how this knowledge relates to their chosen area of research
A4: In-depth knowledge of chosen topic.
Learning methods
Lectures, seminars, workshops.
Assessment methods
Essays in the first year, thesis at the end of the programme.
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Ability to choose relevant methodology
B2: Understanding of ethical issues involved in research
B3: Ability to understand applications of research to depth psychotherapy
Learning methods
Lectures, seminars, workshops
Assessment methods
Essays in the first year, thesis at the end of the programme
C: Practical skills
C1: Ability to conduct rigorous literature review
C2: Ability to adopt and apply research methodology
C3: Ability to write an effective research proposal
C4: Ability to write effective application for ethical approval for project
C5: Ability to write an extended thesis on topic of research
C6: Advanced ability to conduct effective psychodynamic counselling
C7: Capacity for reflective awareness as a researcher
Learning methods
Clinical seminars, lectures, seminars, workshops, reflective groups
Assessment methods
Case study, essays, thesis, successful approval application where relevant
D: Key skills
Learning methods
Clinical seminars, lectures, seminars, workshops, reflective groups, and individual supervision
Assessment methods
Case Study, Essays, Thesis