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Programme Aims

We aim to prepare healthcare professionals to contribute to the science and practical development of healthcare services. Graduates are expected to be able to:

• Synthesise knowledge from the health sciences and other academic disciplines for application in a substantive specialised practice area of a healthcare profession;
• Design, conduct and direct research studies;
• Analyse and evaluate concepts, theories and models that are related to health practices;
• Disseminate knowledge through scholarly publication, formal teaching and the provision of expert mentoring and vision on future healthcare development;
• Integrate knowledge and use evidence to influence health policy and decision-making through collaborative, interdisciplinary efforts at local and international levels; and
• Exercise leadership skill at all levels and different aspects of health services delivery.

Characteristics

PolyU is the first local university to initiate this professional doctoral programme, which is at the highest level of healthcare education. Unlike many traditional PhD programmes that focus on research, the Doctor of Health Science (DHSc) is a professional doctoral programme with a primary focus on the practice of the profession. The programme prepares experienced healthcare professionals to further develop their competence for leadership roles in advanced professional practice or for clinical-track faculty membership. The DHSc is recognised as a terminal professional degree for the healthcare discipline, and graduates have earned the right to use the title of 'Dr' before their names. The mixed-mode study pattern provides flexibility for students to engage in a full- or part-time study load.

Programme Structure

The programme covers 8 Doctoral Subjects, including 4 Compulsory Subjects and 4 Elective Subjects, and a Doctoral Thesis. The Compulsory Subjects aim to provide students with a core foundation in healthcare concept analysis, research and knowledge translation within the reality of the ethical-sociological-economic context of healthcare provision.

The Elective options and the Doctoral Thesis allow students to develop an individualised programme of study for acquiring, appraising, synthesising and applying knowledge in a substantive specialised area. The mentored research experience serves to strengthen students' skills in the conduct of disciplinary enquiry.

Candidates are required to complete the coursework requirement with a minimum GPA of 2.7* or above and a Doctoral Thesis to be eligible for the award of Doctor of Health Science.

* Subject to approval

Students can choose to graduate with the following awards/specialisms:

• Doctor of Health Science (generic award)
• Doctor of Health Science (Medical Imaging and Radiation Science)
• Doctor of Health Science (Medical Laboratory Science)
• Doctor of Health Science (Nursing)
• Doctor of Health Science (Occupational Therapy)
• Doctor of Health Science (Optometry)
• Doctor of Health Science (Physiotherapy)
• Doctor of Health Science (Prosthetics and Orthotics)