2026/27 entry

Certificate of Higher Education - CHEF Doctor Professional Practice in Health (DPPH)

The Doctorate in Professional Practice in Health (DPPH) will enhance your understanding of health from a wider context, this will enable you to directly relate your learning to current healthcare practice

Start dates
September, February
Course length
30 weeks PartTime
Location
City campus

Course cost

TBC

Course aim

Course content

This programme is being validated for January start date (instead of September 2024)

Teaching and learning

The teaching and Learning approach for the DPPH will include, lectures, seminars, tutorials and self-directed study. The Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) will support an active blended approach between the face to face delivery and online materials and support.

Coursework will include oral presentations, written reports, reflection, thesis and a viva voce. Below is a breakdown of the programme:

Stage 1: Taught programme

Stage 1 of the DPPH is taught and operates around a seminar model that will incorporate lecture delivery complemented by interactive and discursive methods, including discussion, peer presentation, workshops, masterclasses, book clubs and tutorials.

The taught element of the DPPH offers the distinct advantage that you will form a community of learning that will sustain the group as it progresses through the course. This will be facilitated through face to face and virtual ‘Professional Peer Learning Sets’ (PPLS) providing essential 'touch points' for both the team and students.

Delivery of the DPPH will be through intensive teaching blocks. These will be complemented by masterclasses per module, VLE materials and activities, and the use of the PPLS.

Stages 2 and 3: Independent study

Stages 2 and 3 of the DPPH are independent and you will be supported by a supervision team. You will be assessed by a thesis and a reflective submission. Both of these submissions will be examined through a viva voce (oral examination).

Entry requirements

  • Alternative qualifications considered

    To participate in this level 4 CPD Endoscopy Practice students must be employed as a Health Care Assistant, support worker or an equivalent role within an Endoscopy unit with the NHS or independent  sector.

How to apply

To apply for this programme, you are required to complete an LJMU online application form. You will need to provide details of previous qualifications and a personal statement outlining why you wish to study this programme.

Assessment

  • Professional identity, theory, and practice: This year long module will include two assessments. Critical reflection and 10-year research-related growth plan and Report- which outlines the area of investigation- this outlines the area of practice and provides a rationale for the future study.
  • Planning and designing your research: This year long module will have two  assessments- these include a presentation of literature review findings and the research proposal- this is a detailed outline of the design of the proposed study. Including research question (s), aims and objectives, methodology, ethical considerations, data collection and data analysis.
  • Thesis (60,000-word submission): The thesis element will be managed through a supervision model.
  • Reflection  (5,000 words): In addition to submission of a thesis, you will submit a reflective assessment.

Following assessment of both thesis and reflection the student will be examined through a viva voce.

CPD award