Doctor of Professional Studies (DProf) in Theology and Religious Studies DProf

Program Overview

Course overview

Our DProf in Theology and Religious Studies is an exciting opportunity to pursue research rooted in an area of your profession or organisation. Explore the ethical, theological, religious, cultural and spiritual dimensions of your practice or work. Use practice-based research to question the ethos, world-views, religious cultures and values of your context.

Theology and Religious Studies Postgraduate ‘Find Out More’ Events

A Theology and Religious Studies ‘Find Out More’ event gives you the chance to meet members of the Department, both staff and students, in an informal and friendly atmosphere. You will find out more about us, our MAs and Doctoral courses and the nature of postgraduate studies with us. There will also be plenty of opportunity to ask any questions that you may have.

Book Your Place

Why study this course with us?

Theology and Religious Studies at Chester is an internationally renowned centre of excellence for practice-based and qualitative research in religions and theology. We have a longstanding track record of interdisciplinary expertise in teaching, research, and supervision in the field. Since 2009, we have enabled students to enhance and transform their professional or organisational context through a range of approaches and methods for practice-based and work-based research.

Whether you are working in a faith-based or secular community or setting, our staff have a range of expertise in Christianity, Buddhism, Islam, Biblical Studies, contemporary spiritualities and religious movements, and Christian theology. We can support you to deepen your critical reflection on the values, ethics, worldviews embedded in your professional or organisational context and its practices, and to develop your thinking about cultural and religious literacy, equality and diversity in relation to your employed or volunteer work or vocation.

Program Outline

Teaching methods

Our DProf course is flexible, and you learn through face-to-face, online, blended, or hybrid residentials (three times a year). The residentials include workshops, seminars, and training with your fellow researchers. You will also learn through independent study and one-to-one supervision (on site on online) and a yearly summer school.

You will also have access to specially-designed resources on Moodle, our comprehensive online learning environment, and electronic and hard-copy resources in the library.

For the part-time course we recommend that you spend between 18 and 20 hours studying per week.

Assessment

At Stage 1, you will take doctoral level modules and produce coursework – essays, reflections, presentations, research proposal – to prepare you for your thesis.

At Stage 2, you will be examined on your thesis and a

viva voce

Job prospects

This course supports practitioner-researchers who, with a doctorate and a research profile, can go on to achieve their personal and professional aspirations, and make a difference to their context.

Careers service

The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.

Careers and Employability - Student Services aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.

We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.

Students and graduates of the University of Chester can use our services free of charge for up to two years after graduating.

The location

The campus is close to the city centre of Chester, a city like no other and an amazing place to live as a student. While it is undoubtedly beautiful and packed with history, Chester is also a bustling 21st-century city balancing big-name shopping, eating and living with a thriving independent scene.