Degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology

RESOLUTION

The Degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology is governed by Resolution No. 621 of the University Court which came into effect on 1 September 2010 with provision that:

1.    The Degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) may be awarded by the Senate of the University of Glasgow in the College of Medical, Veterinary and Life Sciences (the College).

2.    The Senate may make Regulations governing the award of the Degree, which are subject to the approval of the University Court. These shall be stated under 'Regulations'.

3.    The early exit awards of Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology and Master of Science (Medical Science) in Applied Psychology are also included in the Regulations.

REGULATIONS

A student admitted to the Programme leading to the award of the Degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology must follow the instructions issued by the relevant School and be aware of the content of the Programme Specification and the Programme Document which will contain further details on the Programme including further requirements associated with the award.

1.     Admission

Before being considered for admission to study for the Degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology, a candidate must normally have obtained a first degree with First Class or Upper Second Class Honours in Psychology, such qualification providing the British Psychological Society’s Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership. 

2.     Duration of Study

The degree programme should normally be completed within three years from the date of first registration but under exceptional circumstances longer periods of study may be permitted (e.g. due to sickness absence, maternity leave, repetition of failed programme elements). Even where evidence of good cause is presented and accepted, the maximum period of study shall be no more than six calendar years from the date of first registration.

3.     Programme Components

3.1   In order to qualify for the award of the degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology a candidate must complete a minimum of 540 credits of which 420 must be at SCQF level 12.

3.2   The programme will consist of taught courses, integrated clinical-taught courses, clinical placements and a substantial piece of independent clinical research presented in thesis form amounting to at least 80 credits.

3.3   The taught courses will normally be undertaken during the academic session (September - June) and are specified in the relevant Programme Document. Clinical courses run throughout the year. The length, nature and content of the research thesis are specified in the relevant Programme Document.

4.     Minimum Requirement for the Award of Credits

Credits for taught courses shall be awarded subject to the fulfilment of required conditions. The minimum requirements for the award of credits are set out in the Code of Assessment at §16.40 – §16.43 in the ‘University Fees and General Information for Students’ section of the University Calendar.

5.     Assessment

5.1  For each academic session, assessment and reassessment are, in so far as not modified by these regulations, governed by the Code of Assessment which is contained in the ‘University Fees and General Information for Students’ section of the University Calendar published for that session.

5.2   The assessment of clinical placements is exempt from the provisions of Schedule B of the Code of Assessment and shall be carried out in relation to a two-point scale: Satisfactory and Unsatisfactory.

6.     Progress

A candidate must achieve a grade D or better in all taught and integrated clinical-taught course components and Satisfactory in all clinical placements in each year in order to progress to a further year of study or research.

7.     Requirements for the Award of Degree of Doctor of Clinical Psychology

A candidate will be eligible for the award of the Degree on obtaining grade D or better in all of the taught and integrated clinical-taught components and Satisfactory on all clinical placements of the programme as specified in §3 and a grade C or better for course 11 (Service-based Evaluation Report). In addition, candidates must complete the independent clinical research thesis, which will be examined by viva voce examination. The possible outcomes from the examination are described at §9.

8.     Examiners

The thesis shall be examined by one or more examiners appointed by the Senate from among the experienced academic staff of the University, and by one or more External Examiners appointed by the University Court on the recommendation of the Senate. No person who has been involved in the direct supervision of the research student may be appointed as an examiner. In the case of a submission by a member of staff or a former member of staff two of the examiners must be external. A thesis may be examined by two external examiners without the appointment of an Internal Examiner, with the approval of the Dean of Graduate School.

9.     Recommendations of the Examiners of the Candidate’s Research Thesis

The examiners of the candidate’s independent clinical research thesis will recommend to the College Higher Degrees Committee one of the following outcomes:

9.1   The thesis is acceptable, with the degree to be awarded unconditionally.

9.2   The thesis is acceptable apart from typographical or other minor corrections which are remedial: corrections to be completed within one month to the satisfaction of the Internal Examiner.

9.3   The thesis is acceptable subject to certain changes of substance in a specific element or elements as recommended by the Examiners. These shall not involve a revision of the whole thesis or a major proportion of it. The changes should be completed within four months to the satisfaction of both Internal and External Examiners.

9.4   The thesis is unacceptable on the grounds of unsatisfactory content but the candidate is permitted to revise it, taking account of criticisms of the Examiners and to resubmit for consideration by both Internal and External Examiners on one occasion only. It will be submitted normally no earlier than four months and no later than 12 months after the viva. A resubmission fee will be charged to cover the examining costs.

9.5   The thesis is not acceptable.

10.    Requirements for the Exit awards of Master of Science (Medical Science) Applied Psychology and Postgraduate Diploma in Applied Psychology

10.1  A candidate will be eligible for the award of the Degree of Master of Science (Medical Science) on obtaining a grade point average[1] of 12 (equivalent to C3) or above in 180 credits referred to at §3.