Programme Specification
Programme Specification
A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be
registered.
All programmes of the University are subject to the University’s Quality Assurance
and Enhancement processes as set out in the DASA Policies and Procedures Manual.
Programme Title
Programme Code
Doctorate in Clinical
Psychology
P34320
(PSYDOCCP)
Criteria for Admissions
(Please see General Regulations)
UCAS
Code
(exit route if applicable for
Postgraduate Taught
Programmes)
N/A
JACS
Doctorate in Clinical
Psychology
(D.Clin.Psych.)
C800
Code
Applicants must possess, or expect to possess by admission to
the course, at least a second class Honours degree (first
division), or equivalent, which has been accredited by the
British Psychological Society as conferring the Graduate Basis
for Chartered Membership (GBC). Applicants with less than a
2.1 degree may apply if they also possess a higher degree with
distinct relevance to clinical psychology. Published shortlisting
and selection procedures then apply as ratio of applications to
commissioned / salaried places is 20:1.
Mode of Study (Full-time, Part-time, other)
Type of
Programme
Final Award
Single Subject
Awarding Institution/Body
Full-time
Length of
Programme
3 years
Queen’s University Belfast
Teaching Institution
School/Department
School of Psychology
Framework for Higher Education
Qualification Level
Level 8: Doctorate Degree
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/publications/informationan
dguidance
48
Total
Credits for
Programme
540
postgradua
te CATs
Programme Specification
QAA Benchmark Group
Benchmark Statement for Clinical Psychology. Quality Assurance
Agency for Higher Education (2004).
http://www.qaa.ac.uk/assuringstandardsandqualit
y/subject-guidance/pages/subject-benchmarkstatements
Collaborative Organisation and form of
Collaboration (if applicable)
Accreditations
(PSRB)
The Health Care
Professions Council
(HCPC) and the
British Psychological
Society (BPS)
Date of next
scheduled
accreditation visit
British psychological Society
is due an accreditation visit
during 2016-17 academic
session.
HCPC monitors the course
annually but only a major
change would trigger visit.
ATAS Clearance
External Examiner Name:
External Examiner Institution/Organisation
Prof Frances Blumenfeld
University of Essex
Prof Eugene Mullan
University of Exeter
Dr Tom Patterson
Coventry University
Dr Charlotte Wilson
Trinity College, Dublin
Does the Programme have any approved
exemptions from the University General
Regulations
Yes
(Please see General Regulations)
Programme Specific Regulations
□
No
x
(If yes, please state here any exemptions to regulations which have
been approved for this programme)
To be awarded the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology
students must pass ALL modules.
Students will be offered a second opportunity to retake
failed modules and / or associated coursework for a
maximum of 50%. Where a placement module is failed it
must be retaken and passed. However, the Board of
Examiners may alternatively require the student to
demonstrate and pass the failed competencies in the next
placement module. If these competencies are failed again
in subsequent placements, a further attempt to pass the
competencies will not usually be allowed unless
exceptional circumstances are approved by the Board of
Examiners and the module will be deemed to have been
failed. The trainee will be required to leave the programme.
If the placement failure occurs on the final placement,
retaking the full module in another placement setting will
be required.
At the end of level 3, students must present TWO bound
theses in the format of research portfolios for assessment.
The first volume must contain the previously assessed
clinical reports and service-related research. This is to
enable the external examiner to review the student’s work
over the three years but this volume will not normally
examined. The second volume should contain the
systematic literature review and the empirical paper related
to the Applied Research 3 module and will be directly
49
Programme Specification
examined by the external examiner who will be a subject
specialist in the area of applied psychological research.
Candidates who do not pass Applied Research 3 with either
a “pass”, “pass with minor corrections” or “pass with
minor revisions” may be graded as either “revise and
resubmit” (in which case they will have up to 12 months to
resubmit), “M.Phil. degree awarded” or “no degree
awarded”. Further details of these possible outcomes are
outlined in the Research Handbook.
1.1.
Exit award – Masters awards
Should students not pass sufficient modules to be awarded
the Doctorate, a Masters in Applied Psychology may be
awarded depending on the number of modules passed and
CATs points accrued. At least 180 CATs points must be
accrued in this instance. This award will be at the discretion
of the University and does NOT confer eligibility to apply
for HCPC registration.
If a student fails to be awarded the Doctorate due to his or
her major piece of research failing to reach doctoral quality,
an M.Phil may be awarded. The award of an M.Phil will be
at the discretion of the university and the Board of
Examiners. Such an award would not confer eligibility to
join the HCPC Register.
Students may only be awarded ONE of these fall back
awards depending on modules examined and stage of exit.
Students with protected characteristics
.
Are students subject to Fitness to Practise
Regulations
Please indicate Yes
(Please see General Regulations)
Length of Programme
Fitness to Practise programmes are those which permit students to
enter a profession which is itself subject to Fitness to Practise rules
The minimum period of full-time study is three
years and the maximum four years, excluding
periods of suspended study. Accreditation of
Prior Learning (APL) regulations will apply at
the discretion of the institution. If gaps in training
occur of two years or more (e.g. through
extended leave or stepping off after Year 1), the
student may be required to repeat modules or take
contemporaneous modules from the live
programme at the discretion of the Board of
Examiners.
50
Programme Specification
Educational Aims of Programme On completion of the programme the student will be able to:
Please list below the overarching aims and objectives of the programme.
a. To train students to the standards required by the HCPC Standards of Proficiency and BPS Committee for Training in Clinical Psychology accreditation
criteria and the requirements for registration as Clinical Psychologist with the HCPC, and Chartered Psychologist with the BPS, for professional practice
in the NHS and other health and social care settings.
b.
To promote clinical psychology knowledge and skills, and related research skills, to doctoral level standards, which equip graduates to work effectively
with a range of clients, across the lifespan - with a range of acute and enduring, functional and organic, presentations - and in a range of settings from
primary care to tertiary and residential services.
c. To promote essential skills in psychological assessment utilising psychometric, neuropsychological, clinical interview and observational methods with
individuals, families and groups.
d. To promote competence through academic learning and placement experience in at least two formal models of psychological interventions, one of which
must come from the Cognitive Behavioural school. Graduates of the programme should also be able to draw from and integrate interventions from a
range of intervention knowledge bases as appropriate.
e. To promote a reflective, scientist-practitioner, approach to psychological assessment, formulation, intervention and evaluation. An ethos pervades the
course of integrating psychological theory with practice, drawing from the evidence base and service user positions to inform practice and research
activities.
f.
To promote knowledge and skills of consultation, leadership and multidisciplinary working which foster the capacity for indirect work to promote health
and well-being.
g. To promote doctoral level research knowledge and skills which will enable the graduate to critically engage with the evidence base of the profession as a
contributor, as well as a consumer.
h. To promote personal awareness and development, in particular with respect to how personal and interpersonal factors and diversity of cultural and subcultural contexts, impact on therapeutic processes and professional practice.
i.
To foster the highest calibre of ethical practice in clinical work and research activities, in accordance with the HCPC Guidance on Conduct and Ethics,
BPS Code of Conduct, professional practice and statutory guidelines at national and regional levels.
51
Programme Specification
Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills
On the completion of this course successful students will
be able to:
CS1
Select and synthesise prior knowledge and experience in order
to apply this critically and creatively in complex and novel
clinical and research situations.
CS2
Think in a critical, reflective and evaluative way in order to
make informed judgements on complex issues and in specialist
fields, often in the absence of complete information.
Think critically and reflectively with regards to personal and
professional development.
CS3
Teaching/Learning Methods and
Strategies
Lectures
Seminars and tutorials
Workshops
Directed and self-directed reading –
textbooks and journals
Problem based and experiential learning
exercises
Video analysis and role-plays
Clinical practice and supervision
Research activity and supervision
Personal mentoring
Reflective practice and personal awareness
groups
As above
As above
52
Methods of Assessment
Critical and systematic literature
reviews
Reports of clinical activity including
case studies, single participant
experimental designs, process
analysis and reports of psychological
assessment and formulation
Reflective practice assignments
Class test
In vivo assessment of the application
of knowledge to clinical practice.
Clinical and research supervisor
ratings of specified clinical and
research competencies
demonstrated on placement and
through research activity
Service-related research report
Research proposal
Research portfolio of two papers in
format for publication
Programme Specification
Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills
On the completion of this course successful students will
be able to:
Teaching/Learning Methods and
Strategies
Methods of Assessment
TS1
Exercise personal responsibility and largely autonomous
initiative in complex and unpredictable situations in
professional practice.
Lectures
Seminars and tutorials
Workshops
Directed and self-directed reading –
textbooks and journals
Problem based and experiential learning
exercises
Video analysis and role-plays
Clinical practice and supervision
Research activity and supervision
Personal mentoring
Reflective practice and personal awareness
groups
TS2
Communicate psychologically-informed ideas and conclusions
to specialist and non-specialist audiences
Manifest doctoral level research skills – critical appraisal of
knowledge base; form research partnerships; conduct service
related applicable research; conduct conceptual and
generalisable applied research to a level which merits
publication; disseminate and report in appropriate research
outputs.
Adapt practice to a range of organisational contexts; provide
appropriate levels of supervision and leadership.
As above
Critical and systematic literature
reviews
Reports of clinical activity including
case studies, single participant
experimental designs, process
analysis and reports of psychological
assessment and formulation
Reflective practice assignments
Class test
In vivo assessment of the application
of knowledge to clinical practice.
Clinical and research supervisor
ratings of specified clinical and
research competencies
demonstrated on placement and
through research activity
Service-related research report
Research proposal
Research portfolio of two papers in
format for publication
As above
As above
As above
As above
As above
TS3
TS4
53
Programme Specification
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge and Understanding
On the completion of this course successful students will
be able to:
KU1 Psychological theory and evidence, related to the clinical
presentations of various specialist client groups, and across
the lifespan, which underpins clinical practice.
KU2 At least two formal models of psychological interventions,
their evidence base, protocols and implications for
psychological assessment, formulation, intervention and
evaluation
KU3 Research design and analysis, application and evaluation
KU4 Personal, professional and ethical issues as they pertain to
the practice of clinical psychology.
Teaching/Learning Methods and
Strategies
Methods of Assessment
Lectures
Seminars and tutorials
Workshops
Directed and self-directed reading –
textbooks and journals
Problem based and experiential learning
exercises
Video analysis and role-plays
Clinical practice and supervision
Research activity and supervision
Personal mentoring
Reflective practice and personal awareness
groups
As above
Critical and systematic literature
reviews
Reports of clinical activity including
case studies, single participant
experimental designs, process
analysis and reports of psychological
assessment and formulation
Reflective practice assignments
Class test
In vivo assessment of the application
of knowledge to clinical practice.
Clinical and research supervisor
ratings of specified clinical and
research competencies
demonstrated on placement and
through research activity
Service-related research report
Research proposal
Research portfolio of two papers in
format for publication
As above
As above
As above
As above
As above
54
Programme Specification
Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific Skills
On the completion of this course successful students will
be able to
Teaching/Learning Methods and
Strategies
Methods of Assessment
Critical and systematic literature
reviews
Reports of clinical activity including
case studies, single participant
experimental designs, process
analysis and reports of psychological
assessment and formulation
Reflective practice assignments
Class test
In vivo assessment of the application
of knowledge to clinical practice.
Clinical and research supervisor
ratings of specified clinical and
research competencies
demonstrated on placement and
through research activity
Service-related research report
Research proposal
Research portfolio of two papers in
format for publication
As above
SS1
Psychological assessment – development of working
alliances; capacity to choose, use and interpret findings
from a broad range of assessment protocols including
interview, psychometric and observational methods;
conduct appropriate risk assessment; assess within sociocultural contexts.
Lectures
Seminars and tutorials
Workshops
Directed and self-directed reading –
textbooks and journals
Problem based and experiential learning
exercises
Video analysis and role-plays
Clinical practice and supervision
Research activity and supervision
Personal mentoring
Reflective practice and personal awareness
groups
SS2
Psychological formulation – create a psychological
formulation of presenting problems which integrates
information from assessment, utilising a coherent
theoretical framework and incorporating interpersonal,
socio-cultural and biological factors; communicate to
clients and relevant others in a way which is helpful and
assists with planning interventions; capacity to revise in
light of intervention outcomes and new information.
As above
55
Programme Specification
SS3
As above
Psychological intervention – implement a formulation
based plan of intervention in appropriate collaboration with
clients, carers, services; utilise as appropriate at least two
formal models of psychological therapy from the cognitive
behavioural school and one other; carry out such
interventions when working with key clinical presentations
of adulthood (e.g. depression, anxiety, trauma, psychosis),
childhood (e.g. mood, conduct, developmental) and
specialist populations (e.g. neurological, dementia,
challenging behaviours, forensic); promote therapeutic
programmes through indirect working (e.g. with families,
carers, multidisciplinary teams).
As above
SS4
Evaluation of psychological intervention – capacity to select
appropriate methods to evaluate effectiveness, acceptability
and broader impact of interventions; skills in formal and
informal audit procedures.
Working in a critically reflective and self-aware way – capacity
to reflect on how personal processes impact on professional
practice; formulate personal and professional development
plans; use supervision and critical feedback to reflect on
practice; develop strategies to handle the emotional impact of
practice with awareness of boundary issues.
Ethical decision making in complex clinical and research
contexts with the capacity to ensure informed consent
underpins engagement with clients and research participants.
Communication and teaching of psychological skills and opinion
– adapting to different recipient needs; providing expert
opinion in formal and informal settings; providing appropriate
level of supervision, training and leadership.
As above
As above
As above
As above
As above
As above
As above
As above
SS5
SS6
SS7
56
Programme Specification
Programme Requirements
Module Title
Module
Code
Level/
stage
Credits
15
Availability
S1
S2
X
X
Clinical Presentations
of Adulthood
PSY90
11
1
Psychological
Assessment and
Formulation
Psychological
Therapies 1
PSY90
12
1
PSY90
13
1
Personal and
Professional
Development 1
Applied Research 1
PSY90
14
1
15
X
X
PSY90
15
1
60
X
X
Placement 1–
Foundations of
Psychological Therapy
PSY90
16
1
60
X
X
Specialist Clinical
Presentations
PSY90
17
2
10
X
X
Advanced
Psychological
Assessment
Psychological
Therapies 2
PSY90
18
2
PSY90
19
2
Personal and
Professional
PSY90
20
2
10
20
15
20
15
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
Duration
Pre-requisite
Assessment
Core
Option
Coursework %
Over 3
semester
s
Over 3
semester
s
None
Over 3
semester
s
Over 3
semester
s
None
None
Yes
50% and 50%
Practice
Evaluations
Over 3
semester
s
Over
entire
Year 1
None
Yes
100%
None
Yes
Practice
Evaluations
Over 3
semester
s
Over 3
semester
s
PSY90119016
Yes
PSY90119016
Yes
Over 3
semester
s
Over 3
semester
s
PSY90119016
Yes
PSY90119016
Yes
57
Examination %
Yes
100%
None
Yes
50%
50%
Yes
100%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50%
50% and 50%
Practice
Programme Specification
Development 2
Applied Research 2
PSY90
21
2
PSY90
22
PSY90
23
Advanced
Psychological
Interventions
Personal and
Professional
Development 3
Applied Research 3
Placement 4 –
Specialist Services 1
Placement 5 –
Specialist Services 2
Placement 2
Placement 3
20
X
X
Over 3
semester
s
Over 6
months
2
50
X
X
2
50
X
X
Over 6
months
PSY90
24
3
10
X
X
PSY90
25
3
10
X
PSY90
26
3
60
PSY90
27
PSY90
28
3
3
PSY90119016
PSY90119016
PSY90119016
Yes
Practice
Evaluations
Yes
Practice
Evaluations
Over 2
semester
s
PSY90119023
Yes
X
Over 3
semester
s
PSY90119023
Yes
50% and 50%
Practice
Evaluations
X
X
PSY90119023
Yes
Thesis
50
X
X
Over 3
semester
s
Over 6
months
Yes
Practice
Evaluations
50
X
X
PSY90119023
PSY90119023
Yes
Practice
Evaluations
Over 6
months
100%
Approved by Director of Education:
Print Name: Peter Hepper
Evaluations
Supervisor
Rating
Yes
Date: 17th August 2015
Signature:
58