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Faculty of Science & Health

School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health | Structured Doctoral Pathways 2023-2024

Overview

The School of Nursing, Psychotherapy and Community Health (SNPCH) comprises a thriving
research community led by experienced, internationally recognised, researchers creating
opportunities for postgraduates to complete Masters or PhD-level research and make significant
contributions to knowledge and service delivery in the Health, Human and Social Sciences.

This document details the Structured PhD Programme for the School. This is an umbrella
programme providing a structured, multi-disciplinary fourth level education system. The core
component of the PhD programme is the completion of original research presented in thesis
format. In addition, during the registration period, the research-based education received by the
Student will be augmented by activities that support the acquisition of a range of relevant
specialist and generic skills.

Selection and Registration

As part of the structured PhD offered by SNPCH students will typically take a minimum of 20
credits of Graduate Training Elements (GTEs). It should be noted that a maximum of 90 credits
may be taken by any student across their registration period. Normally, it would be recommended
that students take 20 credits across years 1-3, with year 4, if appropriate, focused exclusively on their research. Subject to the availability of GTEs, this document provides examples of discipline specific, transferable and elective GTEs. Moreover, students will be encouraged to avail of other non-accredited education 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.
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
Progression

The Structured Pathway work plan for each student should be discussed and agreed in the first
instance with the Supervisor and progress (including confirmation of completion of modules)
recorded on the annual PGR2 form.

Induction and Training

Research students are also encouraged to take advantage of additional training opportunities
offered by the Graduate Studies Office (GSO) as appropriate throughout their period of study. In
year one, at the time of initial registration, new students are expected to attend orientation
sessions, the GSO- and library-run programme and other relevant induction sessions. Students
are further required to take the Online Research Integrity Training Module during year one of their
studies, however, Doctorate in Psychotherapy students undertake the Research Integrity Training
in Year 3.

Core Discipline Specific Modules | Years One to Three 
  • Qualitative Research Summer School (NS5055) (Limited places. Students must also register for summer school sessions separately.)
  • Ethnography Winter School (ANT862) (Delivered in NUIM, department of Anthropology)
  • Engaged Research (CM602)
  • Integrative Psychotherapy 1 (NS582)
  • Research Inquiry (NS587)
  • Humanistic Approaches: Theory & Practice (NS5025)
  • Person-Centred Dementia Care (NS568)
  • Cognitive and Behavioural Approaches (NS584)
  • Biosafety and Laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (BE550)
  • Psychodynamic Approaches Theory & Practice (NS572)

 

Core Transferable Skills Modules | Year One
  • Strategies for Academic Writing (GS608BS)
  • Qualitative Research Methods (MT610)
  • Research Ethics (TP602)
Core Transferable Skills Modules | Years Two to Three 
  • Strategies for Getting Published (PSYC609)
  • Postgraduate Tutoring Principles and Practice (GS602)

 

Elective Modules | Years Two to Three 
  • Personal, Professional Planning and Development (HR610) – delivered every second year
  • English for Academic Purposes (LC600)
  • Intellectual Property & Commercilisation (GS601)

 

Non-accredited Training, Workshops and Masterclasses | Year One
  • Graduate Studies Office Orientation Programme
  • Online Research Integrity Training Module – Biomedical Stream or Social and Behavioural Science Stream (non - accredited)
  • Grant Writing (HR Workshop)
Non-accredited Training, Workshops and Masterclasses | Years Two to Three 
  • Grant Writing (HR Workshops)
  • Students are encouraged to apply for SNHS Research Support Bursaries offered for additional training, travel, equipment, etc.
  • Students are encouraged to take additional training opportunities offered by the School and GSO as appropriate throughout their PhD.

 

Approval Date