School of Health and Human Performance | Structured Doctoral Pathways 2023-2024
Overview
The School of Health & Human Performance was established in 1999 and has experienced rapid
growth over this period. The School is renowned for both its excellence in teaching and learning
and in research. We currently offer postgraduate research programmes in a number of exercise,
health, physical education and injury-related disciplines in state-of-the-art facilities. Presently we
have 40 postgraduate research students.
The structured doctoral pathway for the School of Health & Human Performance is offered as a
support to students in the completion of their doctoral research, with the focus being the
development of a range of skills and competencies through taught modules and other learning
opportunities. The overall focus of the PhD experience of course remains the completion of a
piece of original research, presented in thesis format.
Selection and Registration
All research students may take a mix of credit bearing modules (Graduate Training Elements or
GTEs), and other non-credited training opportunities such as workshops, seminars and short
courses. The full list of GTE modules that students can avail of are listed on the Faculty’s GTE
webpage. Engagement in these opportunities is an important component of the graduate
researcher experience. Students following a structured pathway typically take between 20 and 40
credits, with the final year focusing solely on the completion of the research thesis.
Students should register for their approved Faculty GTE modules during the online registration
process. However, if you wish to take a non-FSH GTE module you MUST first email the module
coordinator listed to check that you are eligible to register for this module, then email
science@dcu.ie providing:
- confirmation and proof of approval from module coordinator
- module code and title
- student id number
- qualification code
The GTE modules noted on this pathway is only a starting point – students may choose to enroll
on other modules offered by the University that are relevant to their specific discipline area,
regardless of whether they are listed in this document.
Progression
The structured pathway for each individual student must be discussed and agreed with the
supervisor, with progress recorded on the annual PGR2 form. Once approval has been given, the
student can register for their chosen GTEs during the online registration process.
Induction and Training
Students are encouraged to take advantage of centrally-offered non-accredited workshops and
seminars on academic, software or transferable skills which align with their developmental needs.
In year one, all students are required to attend the orientation sessions, the Graduate Studies
Office (GSO) and library-run programme and other relevant induction sessions. GSO communicates details of the training schedule to each student at the beginning of each semester.
Students are further required to take the Online Research Integrity Training Module during Year
One of their studies, however, Professional Doctorate in Elite Performance students take the
Research Integrity Training in Year 3 of their registration.
Core Discipline Specific Modules
- Qualitative Research Methods* MT610 (5 ECTS)
Or/and
- Quantitative Research Methods** MT611 (5 ECTS)
* We recommend students take modules and training in Quantitative research methodologies/statistics when they are available and open to them.
** Where possible, it is recommended that this is taken in the first year of study, or at the earliest opportunity.
Core Transferable Skills Modules
- Strategies for Getting Published PSYC609 (5 ECTS)
Elective Modules
- Research Ethics (TP602) (5 ECTS)
Non-accredited Training, Workshops and Masterclasses
- Graduate Studies Office Orientation Programme
- Online Research Integrity Training Module (non - accredited)
- Students are encouraged to take additional training opportunities offered by the School and GSO as appropriate throughout their PhD.