Professional Doctorate DProf

Explore the link between issues in the professional practice with relevant academic theory, and apply this to the critical investigation of problems, the creation of solutions, and the introduction of change in the workplace. Develop pragmatic solutions by gaining a wider perspective on issues in the professional role, and draw theory from different academic disciplines to synthesise diverse ideas.

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Overview

Equal but fundamentally different to a traditional Doctorate of Philosophy degree pathway, our Professional Doctorate pathways, incorporating our generic Professional Doctorate, Doctorate of Business Administration, and Doctorate of Education degrees offer the opportunity for professionals to impact on the world of practice-based research.

The multi-disciplinary programme delivery is designed specifically for professionals from any academic discipline to join a cohort where differences and commonalities in professional practice can be used to drive active dialogue and shared learning opportunities in developing knowledge and skills, which are fundamental to research design and methodology, and project management.

Three taught modules form the initial part of the programme. Over the first academic year in the taught element, you will study an array of core topics including, research ontology, philosophy and epistemology, framing professional identity, critical reflection and reflexivity, and researcher positionality.

In addition to this you will be facilitated in developing skills of critical synthesis and analysis in terms of doctoral academic writing. This will be consolidated by teaching advanced research methodologies, which you will use to justify and consolidate your doctoral research protocol.

The course has two block attendance modules in October and April, in the first academic year, which are supplemented by online tutorials and seminars. As well as having the support of Module Leaders, you will be designated a Director of Studies and Co-Supervisor who will support you in developing and refining your doctoral research in preparation for formal submission and your Viva voce examination.

Why us?

A doctorate is one of the most internationally transferable qualifications
The first 12 months of the programme has a taught element and is designed to prepare you for working and thinking at a doctoral level

The remainder of the programme is research only based where you will work with a supervisory team of academic staff (research phase)

Course structure

Doctoral candidates attend two block study sessions in the program's initial year, which incorporate the three taught modules, Contextualisation and Planning, Critical Debate in Professional Practice and Practice-Based Research.

Following successful completion of all three modules, candidates will work independently on your chosen research topic with support from your academic supervisors. During this phase of the programme, you can attend a series of optional study days that cover various topics to help you with your studies.

Doctoral candidates are formally assessed via a variety of assessment methods, including written reports, oral presentations, and essays.

The final submission for the Professional Doctorate is either a report together with a portfolio of supporting evidence (totalling 80,000 words) or a thesis which will normally be around 80,000 words. The exact nature of the candidates submission is decided in discussion with the Director of Studies. All candidates must also undergo a viva voce examination.

Modules include:

1 to 6 months:

Planning and Contextualisation (60 credits)

Establish, justify, and formulate a robust piece of research design and methodology. Identify your own potentially unique contribution to your field of research and professional practice. Focus on the processes of formal instrumentation, measurement, and data collection, which characterises robust research practice. Gain an insight into project management and portfolio construction. Develop critical appraisal skills and the need to be flexibly responsive to critical appraisal. Consider the potential impact and dissemination opportunities of your research.

7 to 12 months:

Critical Debate in Professional Practice (30 credits)

Develop critical thinking and writing skills in preparation for study at doctoral level. Engage critically and dialogically with current issues and debates in your specialist field of professional practice, raising awareness of the subjectivity of knowledge and building confidence and ability to make valued judgments.

Select an issue of strategic importance at the leading edge of your chosen specialist field and conduct in-depth research on the current debates affecting that issue. Review the various viewpoints offered by specialist researchers and commentators. Consider the conceptual and theoretical stances supporting the various viewpoints, identify possible implications of those different viewpoints for the professional community of practice, and reach (and justify) your own personal stance on the issue.

Practice-Based Research 2 (30 credits)

Reflect on how your own and alternative modes of engagement influence your understanding of events and processes within practice-based research. Consider the various approaches to the study of epistemology to enable you to select the approach best suited to your own research, which will include positivism, constructivism, and critical theory. Develop an understanding of the methodology of research and the approach that would reflect the epistemology of the research project undertaken. Explore theoretical debates surrounding the use of qualitative and quantitative research methods and develop an understanding of how philosophical issues will affect the relationship between data and theory, the overall design of the research, and the validity, authenticity, and trustworthiness of the research outcomes. Develop an awareness of the ethical issues and debates within research.

13 to 72 months – research phase

Professional Doctorate (360 credits)

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.

The normal entry requirement for a research degree is a UK honours degree (first or upper second class) or a UK masters degree or a qualification that is regarded as equivalent.

If English is not your first language, you will need an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) overall score of 6.5, with at least 6.0 in each component: reading, writing, listening and speaking (or equivalent).

We will assess your application and research proposal to make a decision on whether to offer you a place using the following criteria:

Professional Doctorate research proposal

You will be asked to write a 2-3 page proposal that specifies the:

Aims of your doctoral project
Project's relevance to your workplace and profession
Proposed methodology and techniques for analysis
Outline of a potential research plan
Personal statement

You must write your personal statement (included in the application form) addressing the following points:

Your professional experience and standing
The recognition by your peers as a leading professional in your field
The level at which you are operating within your organisation or profession and the extent to which you can provide significant influence or drive substantial change
The opportunity that you have to make a significant contribution to professional practice and/or how you exhibit your powers of creativity and innovation

Along with your application form, you must upload the following documents:

Research proposal
Qualification certificates
IELTS certificates, if applicable
Two references, one of which must be academic

Without all of the above documents, we will not be able make you an offer on this programme.

Fees and finance

Fees are:

£5,000 if you are from the UK/Ireland/EU settled/pre-settled

Please note, this course is not available to international students.

View our scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Related courses

Contact

All applicants are encouraged to contact the Programme Leader, Professor Catherine Hayes catherine.hayes@sunderland.ac.uk, in the first instance, who can provide specific advice on programme content and any issues pertaining to the outline research protocol submission.

Administrative issues are handled by our PGR Administrator for Professional Doctorates, Julie Little DProf-Research@sunderland.ac.uk.

Page last updated: 17 September 2024

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.