1. Dr Josette Bettany-Saltikov Professor Rob Mcsherry
Do structured doctorates enhance the student`s learning and progression and facilitate successful completion?
Dr Josette Bettany-Saltikov
Professor Rob Mcsherry

2. Globally the popularity, development and diversity of professional doctorates (PD) continues to rapidly expand.
They are not only confined to Health and Social care but, engineering (EngD), business (DBA) and education (EdD) (McKenna 2005, Melles 2009).
Background

3. What do we mean by the term Professional Doctorate?
A PD is described as :
an advanced study and research which,
whilst satisfying the university criteria for the award of a doctorate,
is designed to meet the specific needs of a professional group external to the university and
which develops the capability of individuals within a professional context (United Kingdom Council for Graduate Education 2002 p31)”
What do we mean by the term Professional Doctorate?

4. Sounds easy enough. what`s the challenge?
The challenge facing many universities is in designing structured programmes
which complement educational regulators requirements like;
The Quality Assurance Agency alongside
Organisational necessities such as the United Kingdom National Health Services and
Professional disciplines e.g the Health and Care Professions Council (2014), NMC, social care?
Sounds easy enough. what`s the challenge?

5. Challenging and difficult in practice
Accommodating these
wide ranging,
Diverse and often disparate stakeholders
along with designing programmes which are student-centred
is both challenging and difficult to achieve in practice.
Challenging and difficult in practice

6. Diverse stakeholders This is because of several factors such as:
University Regs
QAA
HCPC
NMC
Social Work
This is because of several factors such as:
developing a shared vision
with specific aims and objectives
which accommodate the various stakeholders needs and requirements.
Diverse stakeholders

7. Aims The round table discussion (RTD) will Reflect, share and discuss
the challenges and opportunities
from 9 years of our experiences of supporting a variety and diversity of students on a Doctor of Health and Social Care Programme
And enquire about your own experiences of these issues
Aims

8. Do you agree with the operational definition of a structured doctoral programme on page 2?
Why do you think this type of approach is appealing to many students?
How do you think that this approach impacts:
a. on the students learning experience?
b. support ?
c. and outcomes? .
Key issues to debate

9. What do you believe are the impacts of the structured Doctorate on:
student identity?
Expectations?
Timelines?
Deadlines?
support through the cohort
Key issues 2

10. Finally, we recommend the importance of having a well-defined structured (and step-by-step approach) in the design and delivery of Doctorate programmes.
Conclusions