Practical Theology Doctorate (DPT)

This is a practice-based doctoral level degree. It provides a unique opportunity for practitioners in a wide variety of settings to work with peers from similar and different professional and voluntary contexts to gain a practice-based and relevant research degree by staged part-time work. Throughout the programme you will be supported to: Analyse case studies; Acquire relevant research methods; Identify appropriate research questions; Design research strategies; Develop communication and dissemination skills; Make use of peer/academic support and critique to improve your work.

The programme is designed for your structured research in practical theology. This is suitable for all those actively involved in professional or substantial voluntary work across a range of contexts and institutions, who want to examine the implications of action guiding beliefs, values, and ideologies (‘theologies’) for their practices, and vice versa. A variety of social science and other methodologies can be used to research practice and contexts. You will be supported throughout by regular supervision, seminars, and workshops with peer and academic engagement. There will also be a summer school drawing together professional doctoral students in practical theology from other universities offering this programme.

Students should have a 2:1 degree in a relevant discipline is required for entry. Candidates will also require a suitable base in practice to be accepted on this course.