The Doctor of Professional Practice within the Cardiff School of Sport and Health Sciences is a research degree programme whereby students function independently at the same level as a traditional PhD (Level 8). The emphasis is on the development of new or advanced approaches to professional practice within the sport industry. It is designed around the concept of developing, facilitating, implementing and/or evaluating change to either an individual’s current practice or that of an organisation as a whole. It is intended for professionals who wish to make a step-change in the way they or their organisation operates. Taught elements sit alongside independent research activities and students are supported by a supervisor and encouraged to consider their own practice through the development of reflective practice skills. Study is in parallel with a candidate’s normal working practice and allows for the development of a greater theoretical understanding of how current work practice has been arrived at, why change may be necessary and how change may be facilitated and its effectiveness assessed.
