The Doctorate of Applied Social Research (Family Therapy) is for family therapists and systemic practitioners who want to develop as a researcher, complementing existing clinical skills and knowledge.

You will undertake robust research methods training and have the opportunity to complete an advanced piece of research on a topic of most relevance to you and your work.

The course stands apart from other doctorates in family therapy in the depth and breadth of research knowledge, skills and confidence you’ll develop. You will also benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to supervision, support to publish and extensive networks with others undertaking professional doctorates.

Research helps make changes at a structural and systemic level and your doctorate can help transform our social worlds and contribute to better policy, practice and care.

Our Professional Doctorate graduates often use their qualification to advance their careers both within and beyond clinical practice. As a family therapist with a doctorate you will achieve the highest possible level of qualification and professional development. This can help you to gain more senior or varied roles within the profession, such as:

• project development and project management
• bridging from practice into academia
• consultancy roles

Doctoral level education for family therapists also contributes to elevating the standing of the profession, alongside clinical psychologists and psychiatrists. Our doctoral graduates are likely to be publishing their work in prestigious journals and contributing to policy and practice changes.