Doctor of Health Science (Optometry)

This award is offered within the Doctor of Health Science programme which is the first-ever such programme in Hong Kong. Unlike PhD programmes that focus primarily on research, the DHSc programme concentrates on the practice of health sciences and care provision as well as research and is intended for experienced health care professionals who are looking to develop their analytical skills for leadership positions within a health care environment.

Programme Aims

• Synthesize knowledge from health sciences and other academic disciplines for application in a substantive specialized practice area of a healthcare profession
• Design, conduct, and direct research studies in the specialized area
• Analyze and evaluate concepts, theories and models related to health practices
• Disseminate knowledge through scholarly publication, formal teaching, and provision of expert mentoring and vision for the substantive specialized area
• Integrate knowledge and use evidence to influence health policy and decision-making through collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts at organizational, local and national levels

Mode and Duration of Study

This is a credit-based mixed mode programme with normal duration of study be 2 years for full-time study and 4 years for part-time study, and maximum duration of study be 8 years.

Programme Structure

The programme covers 8 taught subjects (3 credits for each subject) including 4 compulsory and 4 elective subjects, and a doctoral thesis (24 credits).

The compulsory subjects aim to provide students with a core foundation in health care concept analysis, research and knowledge translation within the reality of the ethical-political-economic contexts of health care provision.

The elective subjects and the doctoral thesis allow students to develop an individualized programme of study for acquiring, appraising, synthesizing and applying knowledge in a substantive specialized area.

To be eligible to graduate in Doctor of Health Science (Optometry), students should complete a thesis related to Optometry plus a 3-credit Optometry subject.  In this case, students are required to select "Independent Study in a Substantive Specialty (HSS6008)" with relevance to Optometry.

For details, please refer to the DHSc page from the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences.