Doctor of Professional Practice

You create knowledge that advances practice using advanced research skills, creativity, critical thinking, advanced problem-solving and knowledge translation skills, along with analytical and conceptual abilities.

The concept of professional practice is an overarching term that defines all occupations that involve actions rooted in context; actions that are underpinned by education and a body of knowledge. This course fosters innovation and creativity, providing you with the opportunity to critically analyse, synthesise and enhance concepts, meanings and intentions that underpin the theoretical dimensions of actions relating to your professional practice or discipline. The DrPP facilitates you to independently add to and enhance the body of knowledge that determines and defines your professional focus on practice. The professional focus of the DrPP is defined by a piece of advanced independent work specific to your area of professional practice.

The DrPP course contains three Level 8 taught modules (totaling 120 credits) and an independent research project (300 credits) that is assessed by a viva voce examination. You can complete this course as a full-time or part-time student taking advantage of flexible modes of learning accessible through attendance, distance learning or a combination of both. The course structure is dependent on whether your mode of study is full-time or part-time.

Full-time route
The full-time route lasts a minimum of three years. The three taught modules are delivered in Year 1 of the course. The Advanced Independent Work Preparation and Management module prepares you for undertaking the final piece of advanced independent work. It also includes support with academic writing and the key skills necessary for studying at doctorate level. In semester 1, you also commence the Project Specific Negotiated Learning module. This module spans across semesters 1 and 2 to spread the work-load and assessments across the first year. The Promoting Scholarship by Writing for Publication module commences in Semester 2. You start to work on a piece of advanced independent work in the Professional Practice Advanced Independent Work module to develop areas of interest leading to an article for publication that relates to the piece of advanced independent work. In Year' 2 and 3, as a full-time student, you continue with the piece of advanced independent work to submit a robust doctoral-level advanced independent research project.

Part-time route
The part-time route lasts a minimum of four years. The taught component is delivered across Years 1 and 2. The Advanced Independent Work Preparation and Management module prepares you for undertaking the final piece of advanced independent work. You also receive support with academic writing and the key skills necessary for studying at doctorate level. The Promoting Scholarship by Writing for Publication module commences in Year 1, Semester 2, at the same time as you start to work on a piece of advanced independent work in the Professional Practice Advanced Independent Work module. This provides you with an opportunity to develop areas of particular interest leading to the development of an article for publication that relates to the piece of advanced independent work. The Project Specific Negotiated Learning module begins in Year 2, Semester 1, and spans into Semester 2, to spread the work-load and assessments across the academic year. In Years 3 and 4, as a part-time student, you continue with your piece of advanced independent work in the module Professional Practice Advanced Independent Work, to submit a robust doctoral-level piece of advanced independent work.

The DrPP course modules enable professionals from a wide range of professions to develop advanced research skills, critical thinking, advanced problem-solving skills, knowledge translation skills, analytical skills, and the conceptual abilities necessary for a dynamic, contemporary, professional practice environment.

The Advanced Independent Work Preparation and Management module enables you to build advanced skills and knowledge in research methods and project management. The key focus of this module includes extending your advanced understanding of theoretical paradigms underpinning research, advanced project management, data collection and analysis, research ethics and governance with an emphasis on the application to your specific professional practice or discipline.

The Project Specific Negotiated Learning module offers you the opportunity to explore a negotiated topic in your specific area of practice and study it in-depth, critically evaluating relevant theory and research and linking such theory to practice. The content of this module is dependent upon your negotiated learning contract developed at the beginning of the semester by you and your allocated supervising tutor. Support is provided for you on using the virtual learning environment (VLE).

The Promoting Scholarship by Writing for Publication module equips you with the skills to disseminate knowledge through publication; focusing on writing and submitting an article to a peer-reviewed journal. You develop key skills including clarifying appropriate knowledge for dissemination, understanding impact factors, preparing a journal article for publication, and negotiating the journal submission process.

The Professional Practice Advanced Independent Work module helps you to consolidate your learning experiences through the development of a self-initiated advanced independent research project. The module enables you to act independently and with originality to implement a research project for the generation of new knowledge application or by enhancing understanding at the forefront of your specific area of practice.