The Doctorate in Childhood Studies (DChild) is a partly taught and partly research based Professional Doctorate which has proved to be both successful and convenient for middle and senior managers and other professionals who wish to further their careers by enhancing their academic knowledge and research skills through developing and expanding on their existing expertise.
You can undertake pathways through taught modules that have an emphasis on child care/child protection; children and education; and children/young people and youth justice.
It represents a unique opportunity to pursue an original research project informed by research training and a range of theoretical perspectives on the lives of children and young people. Exploring the experience of childhood across the age spectrum, in different social and political contexts, this research degree places a strong emphasis on the links between social justice, rights, lived experiences and outcomes.
•The modules are delivered in the University's Graduate School.
•This unique programme is delivered by leading international academic experts in specialist fields including sociology, law, social work, psychology and education.
•The Professional Doctorate in Childhood Studies is delivered through interactive and innovative methods including electronic resources, online discussion forums and, in the near future, podcasts.
•Credit Transfer Participants who have completed a Master's degree within the last 10 years that involved a substantive element of educational research methods training, including a research-based dissertation or project, may be eligible to transfer credit (a maximum of one module).
•You can can avail of additional specialist training courses and opportunities for networking that are offered by the Graduate School and other events run at Queen's University Belfast.
The Professional Doctorate provides an excellent opportunity for knowledge transfer into students' professional environments. There is growing support for the course from organisations that work with children and young people.
Students who register on the professional doctorate programme are employed in senior management positions in the fields of social work, social care, social science research, education and youth justice in Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the UK and internationally.
Obtaining the professional doctorate has enabled candidates to secure addional repsonsbiliities in existing posts and to move to new posts. For others the doctorate has been instrumental in securing their permanent postion and/or enhancing their promotion within their organisation.
Applicants should hold a primary degree (normally 2.1 Honours or above) or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University and a Masters degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Evidence of these qualifications must be presented at the time of application.
Performance profiles (grades etc) may also be required to ensure suitability of the applicant for Doctoral study. Applicants will be asked to attend for interview. Applicants will normally be expected to have at least five years' full-time professional experience at a senior level in a field of work related to children, young people and their families. Participants who have been accepted on to the DChild programme will be required to enrol and attend an induction session prior to their first module.
The programme content is delivered intensively through group teaching in two and a half day blocks (usually Thursday-Saturday lunchtime).
Email: k.winter@qub.ac.uk Dr Karen Winter is a qualified social worker. Her research interest arre children and young people known to and in the care of social services.