Last Updated on 21/08/2019
Assessment on the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology is guided by a number of different frameworks including the Health and Care Professions Council’s (HCPC’s) standards of education and training and standards of proficiency, the British Psychological Society’s (BPS’s) accreditation through partnership framework and Lancaster University’s own guidance for postgraduate students. Links to all relevant documentation are included at the end of this section.
The programme’s assessment strategy is developed and monitored by the Assessment Development and Implementation Group (ADIG). The aims of the ADIG are to monitor and review each academic assignment, and to develop the framework of academic assessment to best fit trainee competencies. Each assignment is reviewed annually by the Assessment Development and Implementation Group. Once results have been ratified by the Exam Board, the coordinator for each assignment submits a report for discussion by the ADIG on the process of the assignment, including feedback from external examiners and other stakeholders. Any proposed changes to assignments are initially discussed at the Assessment Development and Implementation Group, and then brought to the Operational Management Group for approval.
The programme’s assessment strategies are informed by the HCPC’s standards of proficiency for practitioner psychologists and the BPS’s learning outcomes and objectives. For trainees up to the 2017 intake, assignment evidence for specific competencies is collected and rated for each assignment. For the 2018 intake onwards, this system of competencies has been replaced with an updated system of assessment domains. Under both systems, evidence within specific areas is collected and rated for each assignment. This approach to assessment means that each competency or domains (e.g., critical analysis & synthesis) will be assessed repeatedly throughout training but the way trainees are required to demonstrate these will vary according to the specific assignment.
It should be noted that only by successfully completing the Doctorate in Clinical Psychology can trainees become eligible to apply to the HCPC to be registered as a clinical psychologist. Furthermore, only HCPC approved programmes can confer eligibility to apply for HCPC registration. The programme does not offer any other route except to the full award of the doctorate in clinical psychology: no aegrotat award is offered.
The HCPC Standards of Proficiency for practitioner psychologists
HCPC Standards of education and training
BPS Standards for the accreditation of Doctoral programmes in clinical psychology