Regulations for professional doctorates

Transcription

1 THE UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON GRADUATE SCHOOL Regulations for professional doctorates Introductory notes The university currently has two professional doctorates in validation in Counselling Psychology and Biomedical Science. Others are currently being planned. Professional doctorates were included in the postgraduate taught programme regulations in The relevant parts are sections 2 (Programmes and Awards), 4 (Doctoral programmes excluding Doctor of Philosophy), 7 (Assessment) and appendix 3 (Assessment in Doctor of Practice programmes). These regulations are due for revision in and the decision has been taken to update and confirm the regulations for professional doctorates in a separate document. Where appropriate, cross-reference is made between these Regulations, the Regulations for the award of MPhil and PhD degrees (2005) and the Institution s Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes. Background Professional doctorates are validated programmes within the PGT modular system, characterised by credit accumulation and the use of Subject and Award assessment boards to confirm grades. External examiners oversee student progression on the structured theory/professional practice modules through Subject assessment boards (as Subject examiners) and at Award assessment boards (as Award examiners). There are other aspects of these programmes that mirror the experience of traditional research students and follow URC procedures, including the submission of a research thesis and the appointment of internal and external examiners specifically to examine the research thesis. The examiners submit a preliminary written report on the thesis and students undergo a viva voce examination with these examiners in the presence of an independent chair. The external examiner for the thesis is normally distinct from the subject and award examiners and is selected for her/his expertise in the research area. Contents 1. General principles 2. Programme structure 3. Achievement of doctoral outcomes 4. Assessment in professional doctorate programmes 5. Assessment of professional doctorate theses 6. Assessment and Progression Boards 7. Accreditation of prior learning and Compensation 8. Appendices Presentation and assessment of professional doctorate research theses Appendix 1 - The thesis Appendix 2 - Presentation of the thesis Appendix 3 Professional doctorate research supervision and examination arrangements Appendix 4 Doctoral level qualifications Appendix 5 Summary of thesis approval and assessment process Appendix 6 Procedural arrangements for the thesis phase Page 1 of 13

2 1. General principles i. Professional doctorates are structured doctoral programmes that address substantial aspects of theory, practice and research. ii. Except where students are admitted with Advanced Standing, the minimum duration of study for a professional doctorate (full time) is three years (144 weeks). The maximum permitted duration (full-time) is 4 years. These periods are extended prorata for part-time students (6 years and 8 years respectively). iii. Subject to approval, students may apply for leave of absence of up to four semesters by negotiation with their Award Leader. All requests must be justified. iv. Professional doctorates are equivalent in time, intellectual demand and academic outcomes to those of a traditional PhD. The admissions requirements are as for MPhil or PhD programmes as shown in the Institutional Code of Practice for research degree programmes. v. Each programme will be assessed in relation to level "D" outcomes as defined in the Higher Education Qualifications Framework. vi. All aspects of the programme should be integrated and assessed in a doctoral thesis. The thesis normally represents a major proportion of the doctoral phase of each professional doctorate programme. vii. The research thesis phase of all professional doctorate programmes is subject to the Institutional Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes. This includes those aspects covering research supervision, the student s presentation of the thesis and its assessment. 2. Programme structure i. Professional doctorates are credit rated and modular, with an emphasis on professionally-relevant and practice-oriented independent learning and research that together make an original contribution to knowledge. As for other research degree programmes, each student is involved in the identification of individual targets and outcomes. ii. At validation, an interim award(s) will be identified for all professional doctorate programmes. This will normally be a defined Masters level award or, where appropriate, a professional qualification. iii. Entry qualifications should stipulate that students who lack the discipline specific background at Masters level would need to undertake a full three year, 540 credit programme. iv. Professional doctorate programmes have a credit rating of 540 credits of which a maximum of 180 credits may be at level 4 ( M level). A minimum 360 credits are at level 5 (Doctoral or D level), with assessment reflecting the QAA doctoral outcomes as indicated in the Higher Education Qualifications Framework. v. Professional doctorate programmes are normally organised into three stages, each comprising 180 credits, with progression determined on completion of each stage of the programme. vi. Within the constraints of the overall credit limits, the majority of stage 1 is level 4 (minimum 120 credits) with the introduction of some level 5 modules. Stage 2 typically includes some level 4 (maximum 60 credits), but is largely level 5 (minimum 120 credits). Stage 3 (180 credits) is entirely level 5. vii. Professional doctorate programmes may incorporate the possibility for early transfer to MPhil or PhD. Where this is agreed transfer is restricted to the early stage of the research degree programme ie before completion of the Confirmation stage (MPhil and PhD Regulations 2005). Upon transfer, students become subject to the research degree Regulations then in force. Page 2 of 13

3 viii. Pre-requisites will normally be defined for all level 4 and level 5 modules. These may be general pre-requisites (eg eligibility for admission to the programme) or may refer to specific pre-requisite modules at level 3, 4 or 5. To ensure appropriate sequencing it often desirable to identify pre-requisite modules at the same academic level. ix. Formal research training modules will contribute to all professional doctorate programmes and should be supplemented by additional research skills development as students progress through the programme. All students should be provided with access to the University s generic skills development programme for research students. x. Within the overall 540 credits, up to 360 credits will normally be derived from modules assessing structured or professional aspects of the programme, including the creation and interpretation of new knowledge in professional contexts. xi. Typically, at least one third of the programme (usually credits, and subject to a minimum of 150 credits) will be based on an individually negotiated investigative research project. xii. Professional doctorate programmes will incorporate a means of integration between the structured and independent parts of the programme. This should incorporate the development and assessment of reflective practice, the extension to boundaries of practice, the identification of new knowledge and the initiation of change. 3. Achievement of doctoral outcomes i. Learning outcomes are described for each professional doctorate at the time of validation. These must relate to the QAA Higher Education Qualifications Framework descriptors for the award of doctoral degrees, including: the creation and interpretation of new knowledge through research or other advanced scholarship, and of sufficient quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline and merit publication; the systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge at the forefront of an academic discipline or an area of professional practice; the ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, application and understanding at the forefront of the discipline; and a detailed understanding of research techniques and advanced academic enquiry. ii. A substantial research report, normally in the form of a thesis, will form the final stage of all professional doctorate programmes. Where stipulated at validation, a portfolio of evidence is an appropriate alternative format for the development of doctoral level professional outcomes, and may be assessed alongside the thesis. iii. Examination arrangements will include a viva voce examination of the thesis and related professional aspects to determine that the overall achievement is at an appropriate level. The research presented must represent an independent and original contribution to knowledge, understanding or practice in the field of study. iv. On completion of a doctoral programme students will be awarded a degree with a specialist title approved at validation (eg Doctor of Counselling Psychology, Doctor of Biomedical Science). The generic title Doctor of Practice may be used where a student has achieved the generic outcomes of a validated programme, including doctoral outcomes as defined by QAA, but does not qualify for the specialist award. v. Distinction grades will be available for all modules comprising a doctoral programme with the exception of the doctoral thesis and, where awarded, will appear on the University transcript. However, there is no provision for the award of a professional doctorate with Distinction. vi. The doctoral thesis will report a significant body of research work and will normally represent at least half the credits available at level 5. For the purposes of validation 150 credits is the minimum credit volume associated with the thesis. Page 3 of 13

4 4. Assessment in Professional Doctorate programmes general principles. i. At validation of a Masters or Doctoral programme, a range of assessment methods will be determined. Assessment tasks will be linked to the demonstration of module learning outcomes derived from the designated programme outcomes. ii. Unless specifically exempted, all modules contributing to the University s postgraduate taught programmes with the exception of the doctoral thesis will comply with the postgraduate 6 point grade scheme. This will be the form in which all results are confirmed by assessment boards and published to students. iii. Explicit criteria will be used to determine (as a minimum) the threshold performance, and other grades of performance within the overall postgraduate grade scheme. The credit tariff for each module will normally indicate the assessment volume (quantity), and assessment criteria linked to grades, will determine the expected quality of students work. iv. The intellectual demand of an assessment task is indicated by the "level" assigned to the module. The majority of modules and assessment tasks are set at level 4 (or level M) for postgraduate programmes up to Master s level, and at level 5 (level D) for doctoral programmes. v. To achieve a Doctorate, students must be awarded 540 credits with no compensation permitted. The nature of doctoral study is often predominantly independent in nature, and this is one indicator of study at this level. Despite the fact that doctoral programmes are structured within the modular framework, a significant proportion of the credit awarded may reflect substantial individually negotiated study, much of which is practice-based. vi. Where the learning outcomes for an assignment are not met at the first attempt, the assignment (or other assessment component) may be attempted on one further occasion only. If on re-assessment the outcomes are still not met, the student may retake the relevant module in full, and will then be assessed again (for each component) on one occasion only. If the student fails to meet the outcomes on repetition of the module, and extenuating circumstances have not been accepted, an Award/Progression Board may then determine that the student should not proceed and, where appropriate, may confer an interim award. vii. Any assignment not submitted by the due date, without prior agreement, will be subject to the normal arrangements for retrieval of failed assignments. If the assignment is subsequently submitted and meets the learning outcomes, the maximum grade to be awarded will be a bare pass (ie a D grade on the postgraduate six point scale). viii. The doctoral thesis will not be assessed using the 6 point scheme. The thesis will be graded as follows: Pass; Pass with minor amendments; Retrievable Fail (permitting resubmission); Fail (see also section 5vii). Viva voce examinations will form part of the assessment of all Professional Doctorates. ix. Repetition of a module, or (where Award regulations permit) substitution of a failed elective module will be permitted to a maximum of 60 credits only. The research thesis may normally be reassessed on only one occasion ie on resubmission (see section 5). There is no provision for the repetition of a thesis module. 5. Assessment of Professional Doctorate theses. i. Doctoral thesis topics will be approved by the Student Management Board (SMB) of an appropriate Research Institute or Research Centre, using a research proposal form. The approval process will take account of the rigour of the project proposal and the experience of the supervisors at doctoral level. Page 4 of 13

5 ii. All professional doctorate theses will be examined by at least one external and one internal examiner. The internal examiner(s) may not have had any input to the research being examined and may not be one of the supervisors. Additional examiners will be appointed when the candidate is a member of staff (in which case a second external examiner will be appointed) and where it is necessary to ensure full coverage of the discipline being examined (in which case there may be an additional internal or external examiner). iii. Examiners for the doctoral thesis will be considered initially by SMBs before submission to the University Research Committee (URC s/c) using the appropriate University nomination form for examiners of research degrees. Thesis external examiners must be able to demonstrate independence from the University, they may examine a maximum of four theses in any one year and they will not, under normal circumstances, undertake doctoral thesis examining for the University of Wolverhampton in consecutive years. To preserve the independence of the Award External Examiner, doctoral thesis examiners may not normally concurrently be appointed as Award examiners. iv. URC s/c will appoint an independent Chair for all thesis viva voce examinations. The examination panel will consist of a Chair, an internal examiner and at least one external examiner. The student s supervisor may, with the student s permission, be present as an observer. Where the candidate is a member of staff, two external examiners will normally be required. v. A preliminary written examiners report(s) will be followed, if appropriate, by a viva voce examination, assessed on a four point scale: Pass, Pass with minor amendments, Retrievable Fail (requiring resubmission), Fail. vi. In the case of the examiners determining at viva voce examination that a thesis be graded as Retrievable Fail, the student must revise the thesis and submit for reexamination within 12 months. At the time of the first examination, the examiners may determine that the student be exempt from further viva voce examination or may require that the student undergo a further viva voce examination following the resubmission. Where the thesis is graded as Retrievable Fail the examiners must provide the student with written feedback as to the deficiencies of the thesis, within 2 weeks of the oral examination. vii. In exceptional cases, where the examiners judge that the thesis is so unsatisfactory that no useful purpose will be served by conducting an oral examination they may award grade E ie Retrievable Fail. This would require resubmission of the thesis within 12 months at which time the resubmitted thesis would be assessed and a viva voce examination would then take place. The examiners must provide, within two weeks of their preliminary assessment, written feedback to the student as to the deficiencies of the thesis. viii. A thesis being assessed on resubmission may only be graded as follows: Pass; Pass with minor amendments; Fail. To remain eligible for the award, a revised thesis must be resubmitted within 12 months. ix. A candidate cannot be failed outright without the opportunity to defend his/her thesis in a viva voce examination. In the event of failure of a resubmitted thesis, there is no option for further resubmission. x. In the event of failure of the thesis where the examiners have determined that resubmission is not permitted, an Award assessment board may consider a candidate for an interim award within the programme, including a Masters award. In this event, candidates must fulfil all the requirements for the alternate award, including submission of a satisfactory research project/dissertation. 6. Assessment and Progression Boards general principles Page 5 of 13

6 i. Module grades will be confirmed at Subject assessment boards and published to students. Eligibility for a final (or intermediate) award will be determined at an Award assessment board. An Award assessment board will determine eligibility for the award of Distinction (at Masters level). ii. Progression within a postgraduate programme, to the Masters stage and beyond, will be determined at Progression and/or Award assessment boards. Mitigation will be considered at School-wide (or Subject) extenuating circumstances boards. iii. External examiners will be appointed at Subject (ie module) and Award (ie Programme) levels. In arriving at decisions about performance at Programme level, the Award External Examiner will have access to all assessed work, including the thesis and the Thesis External Examiner s report. However, the formal approval of all grades is the responsibility of the Subject examiner (for the "taught" modules) and the thesis examiners (in the case of the thesis). The award External Examiner has overall responsibility for confirming standards on the programme as a whole (as for Masters programmes). iv. Thesis external examiners may examine up to two professional doctorate theses in any single year if the research in each falls within their area of expertise. Thesis examiners are not normally also appointed as Award external examiners in the same year(s). v. In the interests of efficiency it may be appropriate to combine postgraduate Subject and Award boards - where this occurs or if the Boards run in close succession, they may be convened and minuted as one board. In this case module grades must be confirmed before moving on to consider progression and award conferment. A combined board must include External Examiner input at subject and award levels as appropriate. 7. Accreditation of Prior Learning and Compensation i. Credits awarded for prior learning undertaken elsewhere, may be "imported" and allocated notional credit provided there are clear "APA" procedures in place to ensure that the prior learning is of an appropriate level and volume, and that the intended learning outcomes of the module or modules from which the student is exempt are met by the prior achievement. ii. A minimum of 50% of the total credits required for the award must be studied with the University of Wolverhampton. This must include the substantive research aspects of the award, including the thesis. iii. The University of Wolverhampton does not permit compensation between modules at postgraduate level. This implies that the learning outcomes must be fully met in all modules that comprise a Postgraduate Diploma, Masters or Doctoral programme. iv. Compensation may be permitted within modules for the marginal failure of an assessment element, providing the overall learning outcomes of the module are met. If the module team takes the view at validation that students should be required to pass all the assessments for a module, then the assessments should be designated as components rather than elements. 8. Appendices Presentation and assessment of professional doctorate research theses Note that the appendices cover procedural aspects that may be subject to changes in detail (for example the names of forms).such changes will be incorporated into working practices in line with the Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes. Regulations submitted for approval to Regulatory Review Focus Group and University Research Committee, March 2006 Page 6 of 13

7 THE UNIVERSITY OF WOLVERHAMPTON GRADUATE SCHOOL Regulations for professional doctorates Appendices Presentation and assessment of professional doctorate research theses Note that the appendices cover procedural aspects that may be subject to changes in detail (for example the names of forms).such changes will be incorporated into working practices in line with the Code of Practice for Research Degree Programmes. Appendix 1 - The thesis i. All candidates must present a written thesis on the subject of their research, for examination by a team of examiners appointed in accordance with the Institutional Code of Practice. ii. iii. The thesis shall be presented in English. Unless indicated otherwise by Award-specific regulations, the text of the thesis should normally not exceed the maximum length of words, which includes endnotes and bibliography but excludes essential ancillary data. iv. Essential ancillary data should not normally exceed 20% of the length of the thesis. Where such data exceeds 20% of the length of the thesis, the consent of the examiners will be sought. v. The thesis may contain work previously published by the candidate, in which case reference to such publication shall be made in the thesis. Where publications are jointly authored by the candidate and others, the candidate s contribution to the publication must be specified. vi. The thesis may not contain work that has been previously submitted for another award at this or any other Higher Education Institution. vii. The decision to submit the thesis for examination rests with the candidate, within the regulations governing minimum and maximum periods of registration and subject to the following requirements: (i) that the candidate has fulfilled the requirements as to study, training, and research under supervision or guidance approved by the relevant committee, and (ii) where the programme of study includes a substantial taught element towards the Professional Doctorate, the candidate has satisfied the examiners in the assessed modules in the remainder of the programme. viii. The thesis, both at the time of submission for examination and in its final, bound, form, shall conform to the presentation standards set out below. ix. Candidates shall submit the thesis to the Graduate School in a secure, temporarily bound form with one copy for each examiner. Upon submission, the thesis must be in its intended final form except for binding. x. Following a successful thesis examination, and the completion of any amendments to the satisfaction of the examiners, the candidate shall submit one final copy of the thesis, bound in accordance with the requirements set out below. xi. Candidates whose thesis was supported by formal collaboration with another agency must make a further bound copy of the thesis available to that agency. xii. The copies of the thesis submitted for examination and the final, bound copy of the thesis shall remain the property of the University but the copyright of the thesis shall be vested in the candidate. xiii. The University s copy of the bound thesis shall be lodged in the Learning Centre unless an application for confidentiality has been received (and approved) by the relevant committee at the time the examiners were approved. Page 7 of 13

8 xiv. An application for confidentiality may be made to the relevant committee on the following grounds: to enable a patent application to be lodged or to protect material that is sensitive commercially or personally, or due to its relation to questions of national security. Approval for confidentiality must be sought and granted no later than the time at which examination arrangements are approved. The normal maximum period of confidentiality is two years. Where an application for confidentiality has been granted, the thesis will be retained by the University on restricted access and will only be made available to those directly involved with the project. Appendix 2 - Presentation of the thesis i. There shall be a table of contents and associated page numbers bound into the front of the thesis. ii. There shall be a one page abstract of approximately 300 words bound into the thesis which shall provide a synopsis of the thesis stating the nature and scope of the work undertaken and of the contribution made to the knowledge of the subject treated. iii. Theses shall normally be in A4 format. Exceptionally the University Research Committee may give permission for a thesis to be submitted in another format where it is satisfied that the contents of the thesis can be better expressed in that format; a candidate using a format larger than A4 should note that the production of microfiche copies and full-size enlargements may not be feasible; iv. Copies of the thesis shall be presented in a permanent and legible form either in typescript or print; where copies are produced by photocopying, these shall be of a permanent nature; where word processor and printers are used, the printer shall be capable of producing test of a satisfactory quality; the size of character used in the main text, including displayed matter and notes, shall not be less than 2.0mm for capitals and 1.5mm for x-height (that is, the height of lower-case x). v. The thesis may be printed on one or both sides of the paper which shall normally be white, of good quality and sufficiently opaque to avoid show-through; vi. The margin at the binding edge of the page shall not be less than 40mm; other margins shall not be less than 15mm; vii. Spacing of typescript should be consistent with clarity; viii. Pages shall be numbered consecutively through the main text including photographs and/or diagrams included as whole pages; ix. The title page shall give the following information (see specimen overleaf): The full title of the thesis; The full name and qualifications of the author; That the degree is awarded by the University; The award for which the thesis is submitted in partial fulfilment of its requirements; The Collaborating Establishment(s), if any; The month and year of submission; and A statement of copyright. Theses may be submitted for examination either in a permanently bound form or a secure temporarily bound form. The final thesis should be bound as below. The University Learning Centre copy shall be bound as follows: Page 8 of 13

9 the binding shall be of a fixed type so that leaves cannot be removed or replaced; the front and rear boards shall have sufficient rigidity to support the weight of the work when standing upright; and in at least 24pt type the outside front board shall be embossed with the title of the work, the name and initials of the candidate, the qualification (eg Doctor of Counselling Psychology), and the year of submission; the same information (excluding the title of the work) shall be shown on the spine of the work, reading downwards. Page 9 of 13

10 [Specimen thesis title page] THE IMPACT OF THE INTRODUCTION OF COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY SERVICES TO ADDICTION CLINICS IN WESSEX JOHN SMITH BSc, MA A thesis submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of the University of Wolverhampton for the degree of Doctor of Counselling Psychology This research programme was carried out in collaboration with xxxxxxxxxxxx NHS Trust July 2005 This work or any part thereof has not previously been presented in any form to the University or to any other body whether for the purposes of assessment, publication or for any other purpose (unless otherwise indicated). Save for any express acknowledgments, references and/or bibliographies cited in the work, I confirm that the intellectual content of the work is the result of my own efforts and of no other person. The right of John Smith to be identified as author of this work is asserted in accordance with ss.77 and 78 of the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act At this date copyright is owned by the author. Signature.. Date.. Page 10 of 13

11 Appendix 3 Professional doctorate research supervision and examination arrangements i. To assure the quality of the research experience, students will be managed through the research phase of their doctoral programme by the Student Management Board of a designated Research Institute (RI) or Research Centre (RC). ii. All decisions relating to student progression during this phase will be taken by the RI/RC Student Management Board (SMB) or equivalent. iii. Students will be admitted to the doctoral research phase by means of a standard Research Proposal form addressing the scope and level of the research project and the ethical and resource requirements, but modified if necessary to reflect the particular doctoral programme in validation. iv. Students will have full access to the student support and management systems in the Research Institute or Research Centre associated with the programme. v. The nature and scope of the research project will be approved and monitored using the relevant URC-approved forms for research degree programmes, taking account of the nature of professional doctorates. In practice an approved doctoral topic may be similar in range, scope and word-length to those of an MPhil thesis but with the academic challenge and depth of a traditional PhD. The creation and/or interpretation of new knowledge and the demonstration of an original contribution to practice will be identified in the Research Proposal. vi. Examiners will be nominated using standard URC forms and considered by the SMB, who will also appoint an independent chair from a non-cognate subject area. These decisions will be subject to the approval of URC. vii. Dedicated versions of the preliminary examiners report form for research degree programmes and viva voce examination report form will be used to record the outcomes of the examination. A satisfactory preliminary report should be received before progressing to the viva voce stage. The options differ from those on the standard MPhil/PhD Res 12 and 13 and the dedicated forms must, therefore, be used when examining professional doctorates. viii. The completed examiners forms will be presented to the next scheduled URC subcommittee for consideration and ratification. The appropriate minute recording the decision of the URC sub-committee will be forwarded to the Subject and Award assessment board for the relevant doctoral programme. Grades are recorded on SITS and feed into the UQC assessment board systems. ix. Thesis examiners may be co-opted to the Subject assessment board to comment on performance in the thesis examination, but there is no requirement for them to attend. As for other programmes, once approved at the Subject assessment board, grades are forwarded to the Award assessment board. Appendix 4 Doctoral level qualifications The QAA Qualifications Framework for Higher Education has identified a series of descriptors for the award of doctoral degrees. These include (our italics): i. The creation and interpretation of new knowledge through research or other advanced scholarship, and of sufficient quality to satisfy peer review, extend the forefront of the discipline and merit publication. ii. The systematic acquisition and understanding of a substantial body of knowledge at the forefront of an academic discipline or an area of professional practice. iii. The ability to conceptualise, design and implement a project for the generation of new knowledge, application and understanding at the forefront of the discipline. iv. A detailed understanding of research techniques and advanced academic enquiry. Page 11 of 13

12 Appendix 5 Summary of thesis approval and assessment process Authorised by: PVC (Academic) URC, through its sub-committee has endorsed the principle that professional doctorate students in the research thesis phase of their programme should be managed within Research Institutes (RIs) or Research Centres (RCs) using procedures established for (other) research degree programmes. This paper summarises the stages within this process and shows the relevant URC/Graduate School forms to be used at each stage. RI/RC Student Management Boards should consider adopting a student tracking form to ensure that progress can be effectively monitored. Professional doctorate stage Received (Rec) and/or approved (App) by: Relevant URC or GS form Initial registration of doctoral project Award Team (project approval process) and Locally derived registration form RI SMB for approval Detailed research proposal RI SMB (App) Research proposal form Annual monitoring RI SMB (App) Res 15 or Annual Progress Review form Approval of Examiners URC s/c (App) Res 4PD Appointment of Independent Chair for viva URC s/c (App) Res 4PD Preliminary Examiners reports Graduate School and Res 12PD Post-viva recommendations and student/examiners final declaration Confirmation of credit/sits entry Confirmation of final award viva Independent Chair URC s/c (rec), then to Subject Assessment Board (for action) Subject Assessment Board (for action) Award Assessment Board Res 13PD Res 14PD - - Notes RI SMB =Research Institute/Centre Student Management Board URC s/c = University Research Committee sub-committee Independent Chairs will follow the standard guidelines and will complete the same notes as for MPhil/PhD examinations. These will from part of the record held by the Graduate School. The GS guidelines for MPhil and PhD internal examiners will be used by professional doctorate viva voce internal examiners. Definitions of minor amendments are the same. Modified forms (with the suffix PD have been prepared to reflect the specific requirements of professional doctorate programmes and should be used in place of the standard Graduate School forms. Page 12 of 13

13 Appendix 6 Procedural arrangements for the thesis phase These arrangements apply to the two currently validated professional doctorates - in Counselling Psychology and Biomedical Science, both owned and located in SAS. The early taught or structured phases of these programmes are managed by SAS, approval and monitoring of the research phase is by RIHS, with the thesis submission and examination managed under the usual GS/URC procedures. i. The form to approve the examiners is submitted to RIHS for initial approval, then to URC s/c for final approval. URC s/c appoints an independent chair. ii. On approval of the examiners, an appointment letter is sent to the external examiner and the internal examiner and chair are notified in the same way as for MPhil and PhD examinations. iii. The student submits the thesis to the GS in a temporary binding. A thesis is only recognised as submitted if there are sufficient copies for the number of approved examiners, the examining team has been formally approved and the presentation of the thesis conforms to University requirements. iv. The GS sends thesis to examiners with covering letter, expenses form, Res12PD, Professional doctorate regulations and thesis assessment guidelines. The assessment guidelines are summarised in the relevant module guide. v. The internal examiner liaises with the external examiner, chair and candidate to arrange viva voce examination. Notifies GS of these arrangements in good time. vi. GS notifies candidate, examiners and chair in writing. vii. Examiners return Res12PD form to GS 1 week before the viva voce examination. viii. GS compiles paperwork for chair - including provisional reports, expenses forms, Res13PD, Res14PD, chair s guidelines etc ix. After the viva voce examination the outcomes are recorded on the Res13PD - these are Pass, Pass with minor amendments, Resubmit within 1 year or Fail. x. Form Res14PD is used as the final submission form in the case of minor amendments. xi. On receipt of the bound thesis the Res13PD and Res14PD signed by all parties is presented to URC s/c. After approval by URC s/c the relevant SAS Award Board (Counselling Psychology or Biomedical Science) is notified of the outcome. If all other award requirements have been fulfilled the award can then be conferred. xii. If, on assessment of the thesis, the examiners decide not to proceed to a viva voce examination the candidate must be informed and provided with sufficient feedback to enable him or her to make the necessary revisions. To remain eligible for the award, a revised thesis must be submitted within 12 months. This will be treated as a resubmitted thesis for which the examiners options are Pass, Pass with minor amendments, Fail. There is no option for further resubmission at this stage. A candidate cannot be failed outright without the opportunity to defend his/her thesis in an oral examination. Regulations and appendices submitted for approval to Regulatory Review Focus Group and University Research Committee, March 2006 Page 13 of 13