Doctorate in Pharmacy (DPharm)

OVERVIEW

 

The DPharm is a natural extension to the existing postgraduate taught portfolio provided by the School of Pharmacy at Keele, building on our expertise in delivering the Advanced Professional Practice programme and supporting postgraduate research, scholarship and evaluation. The DPharm will provide the opportunity for pharmacists to achieve the highest academic qualification in a progressive way related to their professional and career development.

 

The Professional Doctorate in Pharmacy (DPharm) is a 4-7 year part-time course which will be studied in two parts.

 

Part 1 (Years 1 and 2) is the ‘taught’ element of the programme where you will achieve the key learning outcomes / competencies required for the DPharm programme in relation to advanced professional practice in your chosen area of expert professional practice, leadership, management & professional relationships, education and development, & research & evaluation.

 

Part 2 (Years 3 and 4) once you have successfully completed Part 1 you will undertake research in Part 2 to produce your doctoral thesis for the DPharm.

 

Students work under the guidance and support of a nominated supervisor

 

What are the overall aims of the programme?

 

Keele's DPharm Programme aims to:

 

  • Enable you to acquire & apply the clinical & professional knowledge base & skills that you have identified as necessary to develop your role as an advanced/consultant level practitioner.
  • Enable you to develop & use research skills to become an independent, reflective & competent researcher capable of undertaking doctoral research relevant to your area of professional practice.
  • Enable you to conceptualise, design & implement projects for the generation of significant new knowledge and/or understanding.
  • Develop your ability to make informed judgments on complex issues in your specialist field & adopt an innovative approach to tackling and solving problems.
  • Provide you with a structured learning programme that will enable you to understand & evaluate critically advanced academic work, & that meets your personal professional development needs for career enhancement.
  • Enable you to further develop the self-discipline of private study, self-directed learning & reflective practice that will be continued beyond Keele's Programme in your Continuing Professional Development (CPD). 

 

COURSE CONTENT

 

The DPharm has one entry point a year - in September. The general programme comprises two parts.

 

Part 1 (Years 1 and 2)

The following modules are all core for Part 1:

 

  • Competency Frameworks for the Advanced Practitioner
  • Building Working Relationships for the Advanced Practitioner
  • Leadership and Management for Healthcare Professionals
  • Advanced Practice Development
  • Researching and Evaluating Practice for the Advanced Practitioner
  • DPharm Initial Study

 

You will be able to tailor these to your own area of advanced and specialist practice.

 

Is there an intermediate award?

 

Students who, for any reason, do not to proceed to year 3 may be given the opportunity to submit a dissertation for the MSc in Advanced Professional Practice award.  

 

Part 2 (years 3 and 4)

 

Once you have successfully completed Part 1 you will undertake research in Part 2 to produce your doctoral thesis for the DPharm. You will be supported by a supervisory team, members of which will have completed the University’s training requirements for supervisors of research projects, and further training specific to professional doctorates. You will be assigned to a member of academic staff, according to the general thematic area of your research, who will be your principal supervisor. As well as receiving personal support from your supervisor, you will be able to share and discuss your work with other students and tutors during occasional face-to-face seminars and tutorials at Keele.

 

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

 

A candidate for the Degree of DPharm:

 

  • Must be a pharmacist or pharmacy technician registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC), or equivalent for applicants working overseas, and working full or part-time in an appropriate health care organisation where they are permitted to conduct work-based research and evaluation. In addition, candidates must have a: 
    • Postgraduate Master’s degree in a relevant subject, or
    • MPharm, minimum 2:1, and a postgraduate pharmacy diploma, or
    • Postgraduate pharmacy diploma and evidence of experience of professional practice research or evaluation (e.g. postgraduate Certificate in Research and Evaluation, published papers), at the discretion of the programme manager* or
    • Senior practitioner with evidence of an advanced practice role and/or evidence of experience of pharmacy practice research or evaluation (e.g. postgraduate Certificate in Research and Evaluation, published papers), at the discretion of the programme manager*.

 

*Candidates unable to provide evidence will normally be able to complete relevant research and advanced practice development modules to be eligible for entry if necessary. In any case, please contact the Programme Manager or Programme Co-ordinator for a chat to discuss your options.

 

The deadline for applications is 19th July 2013.  

 

FURTHER INFORMATION

 

  • You will be provided with key information and guidance on structure, content and assessment, including dates for submission of your assessments for your modules, and the dates you have to come to study days at Keele or participate online if relevant. You will also be provided with general guidance on some study skills.
  • You will be supported by an Academic Tutor and an Independent Advisor in line with University PGT Student Support Guidance.
  • You will have access to the Programme Manager, Course/Module Tutors and Programme Co-ordinator by telephone and e-mail during normal office hours on weekdays.
  • You will have access to the Programme Manager and Course/Module Tutors and other Students during study days and online workshops, where applicable.
  • You will be supported by work-based mentors for those modules requiring this type of input.
  • You will have access to Keele's Library Information Services on campus and via the WWW.
  • You will have access to support for IT from School of Pharmacy IT support staff and via Central Services.

 

Learning Resources

 

You will study most elements of the programme at a distance, in your workplace or at home. Most modules for Part 1 are delivered through self-study, open and distance learning materials which comprise both traditional text based resources and a range of electronic resources that can be accessed through Keele Learning Environment (KLE). KLE is also used to enhance student support during the course and provide a forum for exchange of ideas and discussion of issues that arise.  You will have access to support in using KLE from the Pharmacy IT support staff. Keele University Library may also have additional resources for your subject, both on campus and on-line.

 

CONTACT DETAILS

 

Postgraduate Programmes Co-ordinator: Bev Oakden

Telephone: 01782 734207 (direct line)

Email: b.oakden@keele.ac.uk

 

APPLICATION FORM

You can apply for a place on the DPharm programme by completing the University application form available here.