Doctorate in Health Sciences

DHSci

Why this course?

This is a research degree for senior practitioners who wish to study at doctoral level and develop research skills appropriate for conducting research into practice. The DHSci is an inter-professional doctoral course where students from disciplines across the allied health professions study together in the pursuit of knowledge applied to practice.

Why this course?

The DHSci enables you to:

Engage in a programme of research in your practice area
Develop as an expert practitioner in your practice area
Develop inter-professional working in your practice area
Develop leadership and management expertise including the ability to influence and inform policy making in the context of your practice area.

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Programme summary

Mode(s): Part-time
Location(s): Leicester City Campus/ Charles Frears Campus
Duration: Four to six years (maximum). First semester: Wednesday PM. Second semester: Wednesday AM. In the second year mainly distance learning apart from induction sessions and years four, five and six independent research with supervision.
From prospectus: Postgraduate and Professional Prospectus 2010

Why not come and visit DMU for an Open Day?

This course is offered by the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Entry requirements

Honours degree, normally 2:1 or equivalent
Senior level in relevant clinical practice
You will be invited to attend an interview day as part of the application process

Career opportunities

The Doctorate in Health Science is a research degree culminating in an independent research study examined at doctoral level. As such it is the highest award a university can confer, equivalent to a PhD. This course enables senior practitioners to further enhance their careers in the areas of research, management, and education.

Clinical practitioners holding the DHSci will be equipped with the highest level of research skills and will be enabled to apply research to their own practice. The Doctorate in Health Science enables senior practitioners to enhance knowledge and understanding of the practice discipline and to be at the forefront of policy making for the future benefit of patients and clients. The DHSci has been developed with senior practitioners across all health trusts and has the support of the Healthcare Workforce Deanery, who, along with the Department of Health, recognise professional doctorates as the preferred mode of doctoral study for senior practitioners who wish to remain at the forefront of clinical practice.

Programme

The DHSci is structured in two phases. Phase one consists of taught research modules totalling 120 level 5 credits. These modules may be taken over a period of two-four years, but must be completed before phase two begins, the modules are:

Research Designs in Health
Research Dilemmas and Strategies
Qualitative and Quantitative Methods
Research into Practice.

The research modules are designed to enable you to gain a complete understanding of research design, methodology, and methods, as a prerequisite to undertaking an independent research study applied to a particular practice discipline. You must achieve 60 per cent in each taught module in order to progress to phase two. If you choose to step off the course during phase one you may be eligible for the award of Certificate in Health Science Research (60 credits) or Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science Research (120 credits) depending on achievement of the appropriate number of credits.

Phase two consists of an independent research study leading to a thesis of 50,000 words and examined at doctoral level, in part by viva voce (oral examination). Phase two builds on the work undertaken in phase one and leads to the production of original work of publishable quality. Phase two will take a minimum of two years to complete. If you step off the course or cannot complete the DHSci you may be eligible for the award of Master of Science (MSc) Health Science Research.

Teaching/assessment

Learning and teaching within the DHSci aims to develop independent researchers who are able to integrate theoretical knowledge of research into professional practice. You will be actively engaged in the pursuit of original knowledge in your professional field. Assessment in phase one is via a number of different methods including assignments and presentations. In addition you will develop and maintain a scholarly portfolio supported by your supervisory team. Assessment in phase two is via examination of a doctoral thesis of 50,000 words and defence of the thesis at viva voice (oral examination).

Further information

Open Days

We hold regular Postgraduate/Career Development open days and recommend that you visit us to get a feel for DMU. For more information visit dmu.ac.uk/openday

Staff

All staff who support students on the Doctorate of Health Science are professionally qualified in the Allied Health Professions (Nursing, Midwifery, Speech and Language Therapy, Audiology, and Biomedical Science). Teaching staff have expertise in a variety of research methodologies and methods appropriate to health service research.

Fee information

Phase 1 (120 credits) Research modules
£1,042 per 30 credits taken - total of £4,168 for phase one.

Phase 2 (420 credits) Independent Research study
£521 per 30 credits taken, total cost per year of phase two as follows:

Year one of phase two: £3,647
Year two of phase two: £3,647

Fees shown are for the 2009/10 academic session and may change slightly for future sessions.

If you extend beyond this you are then charged the regular continuation fee per annum until completion. There are a number of funded places available through the East Midlands Workforce Deanery if you are working in the local NHS, please seek further information.

Contact us

T: +44 (0)116 257 7700
E: hls@dmu.ac.uk
W: dmu.ac.uk/hls

How to apply

Please contact the Admissions Team for an application pack.