HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION (PHD)

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Health Professions Education (PhD)

ABOUT

The healthcare industry is an essential cog in the wheels of the nation, fostering the general health of the population, and in the prevention and treatment of disease. Hence, it is important to employ the best teaching methodologies and educational strategies to train the trainers, who in turn, shape and mould competent healthcare professionals of the highest standards.

OVERVIEW

PhD in Health Professions Education

SOAR HIGH WITH DOCTORAL DEGREE IN HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION!

Embark on the exciting journey of a doctoral degree in Health Professions Education and open doors to boundless opportunities and growth. This is your springboard to a fulfilling career and bright future. Set yourself apart in academia, research institutions, healthcare organizations, and beyond. Journey with us as we equip you to be a leader in the advancement of healthcare education, shaping and leading tomorrow’s healthcare professionals to greater heights.

Key Facts

DEGREE

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Professions Education

Commencement

Throughout the year

Total Duration

Full time : 3 to 5 years (6 to 10 semesters)
Part-time: 4 to 6 years (8 to 12 semesters)

Tuition Fees

All IMU alumni who are self-funding their postgraduate studies and meet the eligibility criteria will be eligible for a 15% bursary.

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WHY STUDY HEALTH PROFESSIONS EDUCATION AT IMU

Why Study PhD in Health Professions Education at IMU?

IMU PhD in Health Professions Education provides the opportunities and avenues to upskill and reskill competencies as 21st-century health professions educators at a doctorate level. The opportunities are complemented by a credentialed pool of supervisory committees with diverse areas of expertise in health professions education such as curriculum design, assessment, workplace-based learning, professionalism, faculty development, management, and leadership across global, regional, and local institutions.

Programme Structure

Programme Structure for PhD in HPE by Research (Full Time Mode)

Phase	Programme Structure
Phase 1 Semester 1 & Semester 2	Appointment of Supervisory Committee and Research Proposal Students are required to work on the research proposal based on supervision. Students without HPE backgrounds will be required to attend pre-requisite courses that include Laying the Foundation of Research and Scholarship in Health Professions Education. The courses are assessed based on satisfactory and non-satisfactory completion.
Phase 2 Semester 3	Proposal Defense and Application for International Medical University Joint Committee MUJC Approval Students are required to present and defend the PhD research proposal. After the defense, students are required to apply for IMU IMUJC approval. * Students are only allowed to continue with his/her research to Phase III on passing the defense of his/her proposal and obtaining IMUJC approval
Phase 3 Semester 4 & Semester 5	Data Collection, Dissertation Writing and Submission of Dissertation Students will do the data collection and dissertation writing Students will submit the dissertation once it is completed for examination.
Phase 4 Semester 6	Viva Voce and Final Submission of Dissertation Students will attend viva voce and do the required corrections prior to the final submission.

Phase

Programme Structure

Phase 1

Semester 1 & Semester 2

Appointment of Supervisory Committee and Research Proposal

Students are required to work on the research proposal based on supervision.
Students without HPE backgrounds will be required to attend pre-requisite courses that include Laying the Foundation of Research and Scholarship in Health Professions Education. The courses are assessed based on satisfactory and non-satisfactory completion.

Phase 2

Semester 3

Proposal Defense and Application for International Medical University Joint Committee MUJC Approval

Students are required to present and defend the PhD research proposal.
After the defense, students are required to apply for IMU IMUJC approval.

* Students are only allowed to continue with his/her research to Phase III on passing the defense of his/her proposal and obtaining IMUJC approval

Phase 3

Semester 4 & Semester 5

Data Collection, Dissertation Writing and Submission of Dissertation

Students will do the data collection and dissertation writing
Students will submit the dissertation once it is completed for examination.

Phase 4

Semester 6

Viva Voce and Final Submission of Dissertation

Students will attend viva voce and do the required corrections prior to the final submission.

Programme Structure for PhD in HPE by Research (Part Time Mode)

Phase	Programme Structure
Phase 1 Semester 1 & Semester 2	Appointment of Supervisory Committee and Research Proposal Students are required to work on the research proposal based on supervision Students without HPE backgrounds will be required to attend pre-requisite courses that include Laying the Foundation of Research and Scholarship in Health Professions Education. The courses are assessed
Phase 2 Semester 3	Proposal Defense and Application for IMUJC Approval Students are required to present and defend the PhD research proposal. After the defense, students are required to apply for IMUJC approval. * Students are only allowed to continue with his/her research to Phase III on passing of the defense of his/her proposal and obtain IMUJC approval
Phase 3 Semester 4 & Semester 5	Data Collection, Dissertation Writing and Submission of Dissertation Students will do the data collection and dissertation writing Students will submit the dissertation once it is completed for examination.
Phase 4 Semester 6	Viva Voce and Final Submission of Dissertation Students will attend viva voce and do the required corrections prior to the final submission.

Phase

Programme Structure

Phase 1

Semester 1 & Semester 2

Appointment of Supervisory Committee and Research Proposal

Students are required to work on the research proposal based on supervision
Students without HPE backgrounds will be required to attend pre-requisite courses that include Laying the Foundation of Research and Scholarship in Health Professions Education. The courses are assessed

Phase 2

Semester 3

Proposal Defense and Application for IMUJC Approval

Students are required to present and defend the PhD research proposal.
After the defense, students are required to apply for IMUJC approval.

* Students are only allowed to continue with his/her research to Phase III on passing of the defense of his/her proposal and obtain IMUJC approval

Phase 3

Semester 4 & Semester 5

Data Collection, Dissertation Writing and Submission of Dissertation

Students will do the data collection and dissertation writing
Students will submit the dissertation once it is completed for examination.

Phase 4

Semester 6

Viva Voce and Final Submission of Dissertation

Students will attend viva voce and do the required corrections prior to the final submission.

ENTRY REQUIREMENT

Entry Requirement

A. ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS	B. ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS
Applicants are required to have obtained: A master’s degree in in Health Profession Education or Medical Education or related fields accepted by the HEP Senate or; Other qualifications equivalent to a master’s degree recognised by the Government of Malaysia and; Candidates without a related qualification in the field/s or working experience in Health Professions Education must undergo appropriate prerequisite courses determined by the HEP.	For Malaysian Students Not applicable
For International Students IELTS : Band score 6.0; or TOEFL (PBT): Overall score of 410-413; or TOEFL (iBT) : Overall score of 34; or Cambridge English : Advanced (CAE) : Overall score of 160; or Cambridge English : Proficiency (CPE) : Overall score of 180; or Pearson Test of English (PTE) : Overall score of 36; The following categories of students are exempted from the above requirements: International students from countries in which English is the first language. International students who graduated from any Malaysian or other institutions where the curriculum is delivered in English.

A. ACADEMIC REQUIREMENTS

B. ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants are required to have obtained:

A master’s degree in in Health Profession Education or Medical Education or related fields accepted by the HEP Senate or;
Other qualifications equivalent to a master’s degree recognised by the Government of Malaysia and;
Candidates without a related qualification in the field/s or working experience in Health Professions Education must undergo appropriate prerequisite courses determined by the HEP.

For Malaysian Students
Not applicable

For International Students

IELTS : Band score 6.0; or
TOEFL (PBT): Overall score of 410-413; or
TOEFL (iBT) : Overall score of 34; or
Cambridge English : Advanced (CAE) : Overall score of 160; or
Cambridge English : Proficiency (CPE) : Overall score of 180; or
Pearson Test of English (PTE) : Overall score of 36;

The following categories of students are exempted from the above requirements:

International students from countries in which English
is the first language.
International students who graduated from any Malaysian or other institutions where the curriculum is delivered in English.

Note

Please note that achieving the minimum Entry and English requirements as stated does not guarantee you admission into any of IMU’s programmes.

Please refer to our Student Admissions Policy for more information.

FEE STRUCTURE

Application and Registration Fees

Fee	Malaysian Student (RM)	International Student (RM)
Application Fee	150	500
Registration Fee	1,100	3,400
Refundable Caution Deposit	2,000	2,000
Student Association Fee per Semester	40	40

All IMU alumni who are self-funding their postgraduate studies and meet the eligibility criteria will be eligible for a 15% bursary.
Application fee is payable upon submission of application.
Registration fee and refundable caution deposit is payable upon acceptance of the offer letter issued by the IMU Admissions Office.
Students must adhere to the Policy on Payment of Fees.

malaysian student

Programme		Fee per Semester (RM)	Total Fee (RM)
PhD	Tuition Fee	7,200	14,400
		Total Fee	14,400

International Student

Programme		Fee per Semester (RM)	Total Fee (RM)
PhD	Tuition Fee	14,050	28,100
		Total Fee	28,100

FAQ

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the postgraduate programmes in Health Professions Education offered at IMU?

There are five programmes offered in Postgraduate Programmes in Health Professions Education:

Postgraduate Certificate in Health Professions Education (PGCHPE)
Postgraduate Certificate in Health Professions Education (ODL) (PGCHPEO)
Postgraduate Diploma in Health Professions Education (PGDHPE)
Master in Health Professions Education (MHPE)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Professions Education

How is this programme conducted?

PhD in Health Professions Education is research-based and the degree will be awarded by the IMU on the successful completion of a dissertation. The examination is by assessment of the dissertation, the research on which it is based and a viva voce.

What is the programme content?

The programme content can be referred to the programme structure.

What is the duration of each programme on full-time basis?

PhD

Minimum of 3 years (6 semesters)
Maximum of 5 years (10 semesters)

What is the duration of each programme on part-time basis?

PhD

Minimum of 4 years (8 semesters)
Maximum of 6 years (12 semesters)

How are supervisors selected?

The selection of supervisor(s) will depend very much on the research area and be based on mutual agreement between both parties. The principal supervisor must be engaged within IMU whereas a co-supervisor can be from any established institution. All supervisors are subject to the credentialling guidelines of IMU.

What are the areas of research available at the IMU?

The areas of expertise of the IMU faculty are as follows: IMU academic staff members who supervise the research candidates have well-established reputations nationally and internationally in their areas of expertise. The areas of research include but not limited to:

Teaching and Learning
Curriculum Design
Assessment
Technology-Enhanced Learning
Clinical Skills and Simulations
Leadership and Management
Faculty Development

When Do I Apply?

Throughout the year

What are the Admission Procedures?

Applications for admission are accepted continuously throughout the year.
An interview with the faculty is required and is part of the evaluation process.
The completed application and all supporting materials (transcripts, research proposal) must be on file before the application can be processed and evaluated.
Successful applicants are notified of their acceptance by letter.

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Interested in Applying for One of Our Programmes?

You will need to prepare the following documents for your application:

Verified copies of your academic qualifications
A copy of your MyKad or the identification page of your passport
Evidence of English language proficiency (If applicable)

These supporting documents needs to be attached electronically to your application. Please note that all of our programmes require payment of a non-refundable application fee after the application has been submitted. Application will only be processed once the payment for application fee has been made.

Having Issues with Your Online Application Process?

For the best experience in using our application, we recommend that you use Mozilla Firefox browser (for Windows users) or Safari browser (for macOS users).
IMU Alumni and previous applicants are encouraged to contact us for re-application assistance.

Need Assistance?

If you need assistance, please reach out to IMU Admissions.

+603-2727 7566
[email protected]

We wish you all the best with your application, and hope we will be welcoming you into one of our programmes soon!

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A Word from the Programme Director

NORUL HIDAYAH BINTI MAMAT @ MUHAMMAD

Senior Lecturer and Programme Director, Postgraduate Programmes in Health Professions
BHumSc (IIUM), MEd (USM), PhD (IIUM)

“Health professions education is a growing field and attests to the need for continuing scholarship in healthcare and among healthcare professionals. As a matter of fact, a doctoral degree in health professions is instrumental for the academic careers of health professions educators. A PhD in health professions education presents health profession educators/health professionals with an opportunity to design and implement a creative and impactful study to advance the education of healthcare. Henceforth IMU PhD in Health Professions Education provides opportunities for the pursuit of doctorate training and qualification across diverse health professions education fields of interest. The experience of being trained locally and supervised globally will enrich candidates’ learning experiences.”