Find out more about studying Health Psychology Professional Doctorate at University of Staffordshire? We've gathered all the key details, entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
Professional Doctorate
Stoke-on-Trent Campus
Full Time
Jan 2027
3 Year
The Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology at University of Staffordshire offers a unique opportunity to experience and develop your professional skills in Health Psychology, under the guidance of highly qualified and committed staff. Our Professional Doctorate has been delivered since 2002 and was the first Stage 2 health psychology training programme to be accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS). It remains one of the few accredited programmes in the UK, currently attracting students who are working in different placements throughout the UK. This course is accredited by the British Psychological Society. When you’re awarded the degree you’ll gain Stage 2 accreditation towards becoming a Chartered Psychologist and be eligible to apply to register as a Health Psychologist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The programme offers learning and teaching opportunities in health psychology to allow students to demonstrate Level 8 (Doctoral Level) competences in research, psychological interventions, consultancy, aspects of professional practice, and teaching. The focus of the Doctorate is on the acquisition of professional skills through placement learning, with an emphasis on reflection, professional competence, and accountability in professional practice. The programme is a research degree, and therefore also places an emphasis on research. Students will be taught in both quantitative and qualitative methods, and will be guided in supervision sessions to conduct a systematic review and empirical study. Both will be of publishable standard and will be written up as journal articles. University of Staffordshire has a thriving Health Psychology research culture with an excellent national and international reputation. Several of our trainees have published research they conducted as part of the programme. The Health Psychology Programmes at University of Staffordshire have nine commendations from the BPS (2018). The Programme staff team are committed to principles of equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI) promoting diversity in Health Psychology. This is demonstrated across various aspects of the Programme, including selection and recruitment, and while students are training on the course.
This module takes you through the process of developing, conducting and evaluating psychological interventions. Sessions will be interactive in nature and will incorporate reflective practice. Content will cover: Assessment and formulation, developing, maintaining and ending a therapeutic relationship, intervention techniques, communication skills, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and disseminating interventions.
This module is designed to enable you to develop skills in all aspects of teaching, including self-reflection and evaluation. The interactive seminars will guide you through the process of teaching and evaluation, from the assessment of needs and construction of effective teaching plans, through to ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion within teaching, and finally the development of student and peer evaluations of teaching performance. You will learn how to be reflective in your teaching practice, and how to build upon your experiences.
The module is designed to guide you through the process of carrying out research in Health Psychology, with a view to advancing existing models, theories, instruments, methods, and practice in health psychology through empirical study and through systematic review. The Empirical Study will require you to apply for ethical approval, design and conduct the research, analyse the resulting data, and write up the data. The two reports produced should be of publishable quality. The Systematic Review includes defining topic and search parameters, conducting a search using appropriate databases and sources, and summarising findings from the review. The completed review should be of publishable quality.
The module is designed to guide you through the process of carrying out research in Health Psychology. Sessions will lead you through the processes of applying for ethical approval, designing the research, conducting the research, analysing the resulting data, and writing up the data for publication.
This module is designed to teach you about how to conduct and write up a systematic review. This includes defining topic and search parameters, conducting a search using appropriate databases and sources, and summarising findings from the review. The completed review will be written up as a journal article.
In this module you will reflect on your development as a health psychologist. Sessions will be interactive in¿nature, and¿you will get the opportunity to share reflective practice within the sessions as well as guided reflection on real life situations. Content includes: development and maintenance of systems for legal, ethical and professional standards in health psychology; working effectively in teams; communication skills in different contexts; reflections on your development as a health psychologist and career development. There will also be sessions run by registered health psychologists working in different settings.
You will be examined on your full portfolio of work which will include all assessments from all modules, but it is likely that the main focus will be on the work undertaken for the Advanced Research Methods in Health Psychology module. The viva voce examination provides an opportunity for you to discuss the work you have undertaken during your time on the Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology with two Registered Health Psychologists, at least one of whom will be working in the general area of your portfolio.
