Overview

The Doctorate in Health Science (DHealthSci) is a 4-8 year part-time course. In the first two years you would be required to attend the university for taught modules. There are 5 modules in total, each of which is taught in 1-2 day blocks. Around this formal teaching, there are regular opportunities for face to face and e-mail support. In years 3 - 4 (and beyond where necessary) you would work under the guidance and support of a nominated supervisor to produce a 60,000 word thesis.

The programme has been specifically designed for professionals - practitioners, policy-makers, leaders and managers, academics and teachers - at all levels of education, from early childhood through further and higher education, to lifelong learning.

Specifically the DHealthSci aims to:

• Promote an understanding of research evidence and methodologies relevant to professional practitioners
• Develop a critical awareness of the policy context in which professional practice takes place
• Enable participants to undertake a research study of relevance to their professional activities.

Course content

The DHealthSci has one entry point a year, in October.  

The general programme comprises:

• Five units with five associated formative assignments taught in mainly two-day course session events to support the development of your research plan and proposal (years 1 and 2)
• Regular e-supported learning between course sessions
• Research thesis (up to 60,000 words) in years 3 and 4.

Tutors guide participants through the first four modules and associated assignments. You are allocated a supervisor at the stage where you devise your formal research proposal. The proposal is assessed orally and in writing before you can proceed to conduct your thesis.

The Programme Specification for the EdD

Course Content and Assessment

The programme is assessed by four formative assignments, one summative assignment and a Research Thesis. These are attached to the following units:

Module 1 EDU-40116: Introduction to theories and methods as a reflective practioner-researcher 
Assignment: Self-Reflection and Personal Development Plan

Module 2 NUR-40054: Theories and critical perspectives in Healthcare Practice 
Assignment: Theoretical Perspectives on education policy and practice

Module  3 EDU-40117:  Research methods and evaluation 
Assignment: A General Research Methods critique

Module 4 EDU-40105: The  Pilot Study     
Assignment: a commentary and report on a pilot study that will inform the final research proposal for the thesis

Module 5 EDU-50001: Preparing and presenting a thesis proposal 
This is a summative assignment (5,000 words written and 1,000 words oral presentation)

Years 3 and 4+: A Research Thesis 
This will be between up to 60,000 words and will draw from the previous five assignments. It should form a contribution to the knowledge of the subject area and show evidence of originality, either by the discovery of new evidence, or by the exercise of independent critical power. The thesis is examined by the conventional method of the viva voce.

Tutors will guide the participants through their formative assignments and a supervisor will be allocated for the Thesis Proposal and Thesis.

Alternative exit point for the DHealthSci

Upon successful completion of the taught part of the DHealthSci programme and a 15-20,000 word mini-thesis, students may be awarded an MRes (Health Science).

Entry requirements

A candidate for the degree of DHealthSci should::

1. Hold a current first level professional registration with a relevant regulatory body e.g Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) and Health Care Professions Council (HCPC), including those in educational or managerial roles. 
2. Have access to email and the internet for the e-supported parts of the programme.

There is no deadline for applications but you are strongly encouraged to apply before 1st August to secure your place and to receive the preliminary course information.  

Contact details

Contact: PGR Administrator

Telephone: Please contact us via our email below

Email: FMHS_pgradmin@keele.ac.uk