Clinical Research in Optometry - 1747
Program Summary
Faculty: Faculty of Science
Contact: http://www.science.unsw.edu.au
Campus: Sydney
Career: Research
Typical Duration: 4 Years 
Typical UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC Per Semester: 6
Max UOC Per Semester: 24
Min UOC For Award: 144
View program information for previous years
Program Description
This degree is currently being assessed for CRICOS registration and, as such, is not currently available to international applicants wishing to study in Australia. If you are interested in studying this dual degree, please contact sso@unsw.edu.au and we will advise you when the program becomes registered on CRICOS.
The Professional Doctorate of Clinical Research in Optometry is an applied research professional degree that is designed specifically for clinicians in optometry or cognate areas. It provides an opportunity to combine a doctoral thesis with the coursework component of relevant Masters programs. Participation in the DCRO will lead to the presentation of a doctoral thesis. The proposed DCRO is designed as a three year full-time equivalent program (3 years minimum, 4 years expected duration), structured as one-third coursework (equivalent to one year full-time) and two-thirds research (equivalent to two years full-time). The DCRO may be undertaken on either a part-time or full-time basis.
The Professional Doctorate of Clinical Research in Optometry is an applied research professional degree that is designed specifically for clinicians in optometry or cognate areas. It provides an opportunity to combine a doctoral thesis with the coursework component of relevant Masters programs. Participation in the DCRO will lead to the presentation of a doctoral thesis. The proposed DCRO is designed as a three year full-time equivalent program (3 years minimum, 4 years expected duration), structured as one-third coursework (equivalent to one year full-time) and two-thirds research (equivalent to two years full-time). The DCRO may be undertaken on either a part-time or full-time basis.
Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes
Advanced professional practice in clinical disciplines including optometry involves continuous development of knowledge for effective clinical care and professional practice. In the proposed DCRO, in-depth advanced applied study is achieved in the specialised coursework component undertaken, which builds upon the foundational knowledge gained through professional development and practice. This advanced applied practice study provides the basis for a contribution to knowledge in optometry through clinical research. The thesis study component of the program develops the rigorous research and analytical skills necessary for an original and significant contribution to research.
Graduates of this program will have:
Graduates of this program will have:
- Gained a substantial body of knowledge at the frontier of clinical research and practice, including knowledge generated through their own original research in their area of interest.
- Developed substantial knowledge of research principles applicable to their selected field of advanced clinical research.
- Developed intellectual independence to think critically, evaluate existing applied knowledge and undertake systematic investigation of clinical research problems.
- Developed expert technical skills applicable to their professional field of clinical practice.
- Well developed communication skills to clearly explain conceptual and applied knowledge to their professional peers and broader communities of interest within their applied area of research.
- Expert skills to communicate research on emerging and complex clinical problems.
- Gained appropriate skills and experience in effective communication of research findings to a diverse range of audiences including one-on-one interactions with patients and to a group.
- Gained knowledge and developed expert skills in research methods and evidence based practice to plan and execute research within their area of clinical interest and to foster life-long learning, critical analysis and independent enquiry.
- Gained a broader national and global outlook of contemporary issues relevant to research and the practice of optometry.
Program Structure
The DCRO is designed as a three year full-time equivalent program (3 years minimum, 4 years expected duration), structured as one-third coursework and two- thirds research.
Students will undertake 48 UoC of coursework courses selected from relevant programs including the Master of Optometry (8073), or Master of Public Health (9045) or other suitable Level 9 AQF courses.Core courses will include a OPTM7302 Evidence Based Optometry (6 UOC) and an approved statistical training course appropriate for the field of research (6 UOC).
The 2-year research component of the DCRO may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis and may be based in the student's clinical practice or place of work. Similar to the PhD in Optometry and PhD in Vision Science, the research consists of independent study supported by an academic supervisor and successful completion requires that the study constitutes an original and significant contribution to knowledge.
Students will undertake 48 UoC of coursework courses selected from relevant programs including the Master of Optometry (8073), or Master of Public Health (9045) or other suitable Level 9 AQF courses.Core courses will include a OPTM7302 Evidence Based Optometry (6 UOC) and an approved statistical training course appropriate for the field of research (6 UOC).
The 2-year research component of the DCRO may be undertaken on a part-time or full-time basis and may be based in the student's clinical practice or place of work. Similar to the PhD in Optometry and PhD in Vision Science, the research consists of independent study supported by an academic supervisor and successful completion requires that the study constitutes an original and significant contribution to knowledge.
Academic Rules
Academic rules
To qualify for the award of the degree of Doctor of Public Policy and Governance (Research), a student must:
To qualify for the award of the degree of Doctor of Public Policy and Governance (Research), a student must:
- Complete 144 UOC
- Complete 48 UOC coursework
Fees
For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website: UNSW Fee Website.
Admission Requirements
The standard entry pathway is where applicants fulfill all of the admission requirements, including the research training admission requirement, and that of the coursework component undertaken in the first year (equivalent) of the DCRO enrollment.
The admission requirements for this group consist of:
The admission requirements for this group consist of:
- A minimum 1 year post-qualifying professional experience in clinical practice;
- A demonstrated capacity for independent research under the guidance of a supervisor at the doctoral level (as defined by the UNSW Higher Degree Research Admissions and Pathways Guideline Version: 1.0 Effective 15 October 2014); and
- A first or upper-second class (Distinction) Honours degree in Optometry or in a cognate discipline.
The qualifying program Advanced Standing entry pathway is available for applicants who do not meet the research training entry requirements, ie: do not have a research honours qualification within the identified cognate disciplines. The pathway to the program is through completion of a coursework Masters, such as the Master of Optometry (8073). This must contain, in line with AQF requirements, 18 UoC research training, including methodology training and a stand-alone individual project. UNSW currently offers the Master of Optometry (8073), which has two 6 UOC and a 12 UOC research core courses (OPTM7108 Research Skills in Optometry, OPTM7302 Evidence Based Optometry and OPTM7308 Research Project). The coursework results are required to be at a Distinction average (thus, fulfilling the research training requirements of the DCRO).
Students who have completed the Master of Optometry, or who have been awarded a suitable Masters through UNSW or another university, and meet the research training and other entry requirements, may apply for admission to the DCRO with Advanced Standing, with 48 UOC credit for the coursework component of the doctorate. This entry point is consistent with the AQF principle that pathways can facilitate credit for entry into, as well as credit towards, AQF qualifications (AQF Handbook, 2013, p78).
In summary, the admission requirements for Advanced Standing entry pathway consist of:
Students who have completed the Master of Optometry, or who have been awarded a suitable Masters through UNSW or another university, and meet the research training and other entry requirements, may apply for admission to the DCRO with Advanced Standing, with 48 UOC credit for the coursework component of the doctorate. This entry point is consistent with the AQF principle that pathways can facilitate credit for entry into, as well as credit towards, AQF qualifications (AQF Handbook, 2013, p78).
In summary, the admission requirements for Advanced Standing entry pathway consist of:
- A minimum 1 year post-qualifying professional experience in clinical practice;
- A demonstrated capacity for independent research under the guidance of a supervisor at the doctoral level (as defined by the UNSW Higher Degree Research Admissions and Pathways Guideline Version: 1.0 Effective 15 October 2014); and
- A Masters (Coursework) degree with a distinction average and a significant research component, minimum equivalent 18 UOC consisting of methodology training and a stand-alone research project.
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