Staffordshire University

The course is full-time for three years and attendance at all course components is mandatory. The length of the course cannot be reduced through the accreditation of prior learning or experience: all trainees are required to complete the full course of training in order to qualify.

Time on the course is divided between academic work, research, individual study time and clinical experience.

The first two academic years begin with a mandatory teaching block, plus mandatory NHS Trust training in Year 1, to prepare trainees for safe and effective practice in their supervised clinical work. Planned leave may not be authorised during the Induction Block.

Current modules

• Assessment, Formulation, Intervention and Evaluation 1, 2 & 3
• Leadership and Systemic Organisational Influence 
• Personal and Professional Values and Skills
• Placement 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6
• Professional Research 1, 2 & 3

Academic Teaching

Academic teaching consists of workshops, lectures, seminars, group work and online learning. It covers a broad range of topics in psychology, providing the knowledge base for practice and training in clinical, professional, therapeutic, and research skills.

Teaching in Years 1 and 2 is closely linked with the competences that are assessed on placements, whilst teaching in Year 3 focuses more on specialist skills.

Attendance at all teaching sessions is compulsory.

Teaching is provided by Course staff supported by the Department of Psychology at Staffordshire University, and by Clinical Psychologists and Service Users from the course area and beyond.

The timetable is organised such that trainees attend Staffordshire University for teaching on one day per week, in addition to teaching blocks at the beginning and mid-point of the academic year in Years 1 and 2 of training. Trainees also have one study day allocated most weeks and are required to engage in monthly reflective practice groups.

Clinical Experience

Clinical placements start after induction blocks and take place in a wide range of settings: hospitals, clinics, community services, and independent sector agencies.

Trainees complete two placements each year lasting 5-6 months, 3-4 days per week, working under the supervision of a main clinical supervisor.  Specific pieces of work may also be undertaken with other supervisors.

There is some degree of choice in third year clinical placements.

Each trainee maintains an Individual Learning Portfolio and is assessed by the main supervisor in line with the BPS competencies.

Placements are organised across the Staffordshire and Shropshire geographical patch, and trainees are expected to access placements in an effective manner, which may be through the use of a car. There may be significant travel requirements during training due to the large geographical area and use of community-based placements.

Research

The research component of the course encompasses research methods training (qualitative and quantitative methods) and the process of conducting clinically relevant and ethical research.

Assessed research activities include:

• critical appraisal of literature
• a research proposal
• a research methods examination
• a service evaluation project
• a single-n case study
• a thesis portfolio incorporating a literature review, an empirical paper, and an executive summary report

The literature review and empirical paper should be of publishable standard and at least one paper must be submitted to a nominated journal.

The thesis is initiated early in Year 1 with a literature review paper submitted in Year 2, and empirical paper and executive summary submitted in Year 3.

There is scope for choice of research topic and methodologies, provided that they are in line with national and/or local research priorities and in keeping with course staff interests and methodological expertise.

Research supervision is provided by academics from Staffordshire University and local clinicians, and there is a wide range of University and NHS library and online resources to support research activity.

Assessment

The assessment strategy comprises a system of continuous assessment and examinations designed to sample fully and equally academic, clinical, and research work. 

In addition to the research assignments listed above, trainees will complete across the three years:

• a formulation case study
• a process focused case study
• reflective reports
• a range of presentations

There are formative opportunities available for all assessments to enable trainees to receive developmental feedback on their work. 

The degree of Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology is awarded by Staffordshire University after successful completion of the course. 

There is no Aegrotat award.