Health Psychology Professional Doctorate

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The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as providing Stage 2 training in Health Psychology.

The course is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) as providing Stage 2 training in Health Psychology.

Students will initially be required to produce an individual learning plan with a Gantt Chart which details the different competences and describes their plans to complete them over the course of the programme. This is submitted to an Assessment Board for approval, in the January after students begin studying on the programme.    

 Once approved, students are able to complete the range of assessments, which including case studies, a consultancy contract, reflective reports, a communication skills evaluation and two journal articles with associated commentaries. All assessments involve real-life contexts and are usually based around opportunities from placement-based learning.  There are two submission dates per year; these are usually in January and June.  At least one piece of work needs to be passed each year, in order to progress. Work on this award is only awarded Pass or Fail. 

At the end of the period of study, and when all assessments have been passed, and approved by a Progress Board, students will be asked to submit a portfolio which contains the work which has been passed and includes an Abstract. Students will then be able to progress to the Viva Examination module.  All students will take part in a viva voce examination, where they will discuss their portfolio with an Internal Examiner and an External Examiner who are registered Health Psychologists usually working in a similar area of research. Students must receive pass marks in all assessments, have attended at least 80% of the supportive programme, and perform successfully at the viva examination in order to receive the Professional Doctorate qualification. 

Students will initially be required to produce an individual learning plan with a Gantt Chart which details the different competences and describes their plans to complete them over the course of the programme. This is submitted to an Assessment Board for approval, in the January after students begin studying on the programme.    

 Once approved, students are able to complete the range of assessments, which including case studies, a consultancy contract, reflective reports, a communication skills evaluation and two journal articles with associated commentaries. All assessments involve real-life contexts and are usually based around opportunities from placement-based learning.  There are two submission dates per year; these are usually in January and June.  At least one piece of work needs to be passed each year, in order to progress. Work on this award is only awarded Pass or Fail. 

At the end of the period of study, and when all assessments have been passed, and approved by a Progress Board, students will be asked to submit a portfolio which contains the work which has been passed and includes an Abstract. Students will then be able to progress to the Viva Examination module.  All students will take part in a viva voce examination, where they will discuss their portfolio with an Internal Examiner and an External Examiner who are registered Health Psychologists usually working in a similar area of research. Students must receive pass marks in all assessments, have attended at least 80% of the supportive programme, and perform successfully at the viva examination in order to receive the Professional Doctorate qualification. 

Throughout the Professional Doctorate programme, students will be supported by individual supervision from their Staffordshire University supervisor(s). Face-to-face meetings with  supervisor(s) tend to be every two weeks in the first year, and then every four weeks in the second year, although students will be expected to keep in regular contact by e-mail.  

 In subsequent years, students are expected to work as independent learners, where they will be working closely with their supervisors and the module leaders.  Supervision sessions may either take the form of a face-to-face meeting, or via MS Teams, however, there must be a minimum of six face-to-face meetings per year.  Continuing students will also be required to attend the Welcome Back programme and Annual Conference, and will be invited to the supportive programme such as the Psychology Department seminars and CPD workshops at the University throughout this time.   

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our Student Inclusion Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

We strongly encourage students to discuss the suitability of their placement (or other) opportunities for each piece of assessment with their supervisors and the relevant module leaders before they engage with them. The module leader will advise on whether the opportunity fits the assessment criteria requirements.     

Formative methods of assessment are also used to provide feedback on progress and to assist in preparation for summative assessments (below). These include examination of 3-page plans (module leaders) and final drafts (supervisors) of pieces of assessed work and eventually the overall portfolio including a mock viva examination.  Formative feedback will be provided for each piece of assessed work through e-mail, face-to-face meetings, and/or MS Teams meetings. 

*Apart from the Advanced Research Methods module where the module leader will also comment on a full draft of your work.

We strongly encourage students to discuss the suitability of their placement (or other) opportunities for each piece of assessment with their supervisors and the relevant module leaders before they engage with them. The module leader will advise on whether the opportunity fits the assessment criteria requirements.     

Formative methods of assessment are also used to provide feedback on progress and to assist in preparation for summative assessments (below). These include examination of 3-page plans (module leaders) and final drafts (supervisors) of pieces of assessed work and eventually the overall portfolio including a mock viva examination.  Formative feedback will be provided for each piece of assessed work through e-mail, face-to-face meetings, and/or MS Teams meetings. 

*Apart from the Advanced Research Methods module where the module leader will also comment on a full draft of your work.

This course is built around you gaining practical experience as you work towards your competencies.

• You’ll be working in a health psychology-related field through the placement you organise prior to commencing your Stage 2 studies. As such, you gain valuable experience in all elements of health psychology work, and you evidence this experience in a portfolio.
• We provide sessions on the programme where we teach you about developing a CV, applying for posts and interview skills.
• You’ll have opportunities to see other health psychologists present their work (including our own graduates), either as guest lecturers or as part of the speaker programme organised by the school.
• We have a range of graduates from our programme, who are able to mentor you, whilst you are applying for posts;
• Finally, we host a conference in July each year, organized by students, at which you’re required to present your work. We also invite workplace supervisors to attend, along with ex-students (many of whom are themselves employers). Speaking at the conference is an opportunity to showcase your work and to advertise your skills.

All of these opportunities, combined with the placement-based learning enhance your employability.

Once you’ve completed the course you can apply to the Health and Care Professions Council to become an accredited practitioner, and for full membership, including Chartered Status, of the British Psychological Society.

See the BPS website for more information about careers.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.