Independent Enrollment of Postgraduate Doctoral Degree Program in 2021 of

International College of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Welcome to join the International College of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine!

Approved by the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China in 2020, the International College of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (IOOS) is a non-independent legal person international institute, jointly established by the Shandong University of TCM and Pacific University Oregon, USA. It is the first Chinese-foreign cooperative higher-education institute in the field of optometry, the first Chinese-foreign cooperative institute supported by a Chinese medicine college, and the first Chinese-foreign cooperative institute offering BS-MS-PhD vertical alignment degree training in the Shandong Province. The enrollment of doctoral program of IOOS adopts two forms: national unified enrollment and independent enrollment. In order to meet the needs of society, the doctoral program(PhD in Vision Science) now adopts independent enrollment, and its admission standard is not lower than that of Pacific University in the United States. Students who meet the degree-granting standard will be awarded the Doctor of Philosophy in Vision Science degree certificate by Pacific University.

Pacific University is a private university in Forest Grove, Oregon, USA. Founded in 1849, it was the oldest chartered university in the state with a long and remarkable history. Optometry is its distinctive and advantageous discipline and ranks top in North America. The partnership between the Shandong University of TCM and Pacific University launches the IOOS. Supported by the comprehensive excellence of the two partner institutes, it provides a platform for student-centered education and innovative research and clinical care in the field of optometry and ophthalmology. By introducing high-quality teaching resources from the United States, we seek to promote the optometry profession in China, to create a world-class optometric education center, and to cultivate optometry talents with international vision. Ultimately, we want to enhance the vision care and the general health of our nation.

IOOS prepares engaged learners to be competent practitioners, optometric leaders, and vision scientists through diverse education while advancing professional and ethical eye care, scholarship, and service to the community. The faculty members of the IOOS recognize the value and importance of active learning in the classroom, laboratories, and patient care settings. Our goal is to build:

· An intellectual community that supports collegiality, integrity, scientific inquiry, mutual cooperation, and respect；

· An educational experience that conveys multicultural competence, coupled with an enhanced awareness and appreciation of a diverse and changing society, and a life-long collegial relationship with our alumni.

IOOS will provide diverse educational opportunities in a supportive setting that allow students to acquire a firm foundation in the basic and clinical sciences, together with academic research and practical experiences. The College provides students with opportunities to participate in major research projects, encourages students to actively participate in research in visual science and health care and provides scholarship support. Graduates will have the ability to develop sustainability, and consistently demonstrate a high level of professional competency, scientific research ability, and outstanding leadership. 

This doctoral program is not included in the national unified examination. Students who apply for this program will participate in the independent admission exam organized by the IOOS. After enrollment, the student will register at Pacific University and put on record on the Information Platform for Supervision of Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools of the Ministry of Education. Students who complete the program and meet the requirements of the degree will be conferred the Doctor of Philosophy in Vision Science by Pacific University in Oregon，United States.

I. Major of Doctoral Program

Vision Science

II. Enrollment Plan

This program plans to enroll 10 students in 2021.

III. Conditions for Application

(I) The following conditions shall be met for those who apply for the program:

1. Obey laws and regulations, have good moral character;

2. Have good physical health that meets the national physical standard.

(II) Academic requirements

1. Education and degree requirements: Applicants should have master’s degree recognized by their own country; those who expect to complete their master study in the current academic year should obtain nationally recognized diploma and master’s degree certificate before enrollment, otherwise the admission offer will be rescinded; international students should obtain a master's degree and must be certified by the Service Center for Scholarly Exchange of the Ministry of Education before matriculating this program.

2. Specialty requirements: must have a undergraduate or graduate major in optometry, optometry medicine or related majors, or have completed relevant prerequisite courses at the undergraduate or Master's levels.

Course credits and grade requirements:

3.1 Prerequisite courses are not required for students of Optometry and Optometry Medicine majors.    

3.2 Prerequisite requirements for students of other majors：biology (8.0 credits), physics(8.0), chemistry(8.0), math(3.0), statistics(3.0); grade for these courses must be 75 of 100 points or better.

4. Language requirements: English proficiency should meet one of the following conditions,

a. TOEFL online test :Total score 80 or above.

b. IELTS: Overall 6.5 or above

c. CET-6: A score 520 or above

d. General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score (for applicants who are not Optometry or Optometry Medicine majors).    

IV. Application

Send Email to semjyk@163.com 

(I) Application time:

From today to June 15, 2021, applicants who send the application email after that time may be reviewed.

(II) Application process

1. Visit the official website of International College of Ophthalmology and Optometry: / to download and fill in two forms: Application Form for Independent Admission in 2021 of International College of Ophthalmology and Optometry，Shandong University of TCM,and Application Form of International College of Ophthalmology and Optometry，Shandong University of TCM

2. Prepare "Application Materials" as required;

3. Name the general folder with "Name + Application Materials" and the sub-folders with "Name + Application Form" and "Name + Application Materials", and send the materials to semjyk@163.com.     

(III) Application materials

1. Undergraduate and graduate academic transcripts (both Chinese and English version) with the official seal of the academic affairs office of College or University. Applicants may be asked to provide international credential evaluation of the college transcripts. If so, the evaluation report must be completed before matriculation.

2. Expectant graduates should provide studying certificate affixing with the official seal of the academic affairs office;

3. Provide bachelor degree and master’s degree certificates and diplomas (Chinese and English version) with official seal, if available;

Note: All the materials listed above should pass the certification of World Education Service(WES) before matriculation.

4. Personal ID card (front side and back side) or passport information page;

5. Officially issued proof of English proficiency;

Note: Please scan the original certificate for the above materials

6. Curriculum vitae (both Chinese and English version);

7. An application essay, stating the purpose of applying for the program (both Chinese and English version);

8. Letters of recommendation from two instructors teaching in the field of application discipline (both Chinese and English version). 

9. Other materials that can prove the academic achievement of the applicant, such as published academic papers, important international and domestic academic conference reports, patents, awards, etc. 

(IV) Specific notes

1. Applicants should carefully read the general rules of application and admission and determine whether they are qualified to apply;

2. Please fill in personal information truthfully and accurately.  Information provided in the application should be consistent with that on the “China Higher Education Student Information Network”;

3. Applicants who fail to submit certificates for academic qualifications check shall obtain them from proper authorities in time, and submit the certification report for verification when reporting to IOOS.

4.Applicants must carefully fill out their email address, contact address and contact phone number on the "Application Form", and maintain timing communication. Some important information will be notified to applicants by email or telephone.

V. Entrance Examination

(I) Examination content

The examination will be jointly organized by Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Oregon Pacific University. The examination includes the following steps. All exam will be taken in English.

1. Three minutes of self-introduction in English (focusing on academic background, specialty and academic planning);

2. Response within 2 minutes to an exam question randomly drawn from a question pool.

3. Q&A with interviewers for 5-15 minutes in English.

(II) Examination time

The interview date will be in July 2021. The specific time will be announced later. Please pay attention to communications (email, official WeChat account, official website and other official updates) provided by the International College of Ophthalmology and Optometry of Shandong University of Chinese Medicine for relevant information. 

VI. Admission

(I) Admission

Those who pass the entrance examination and meet the English proficiency requirements will be given a letter of admission.

(II) Conditional admission

Applicants who meet the academic qualifications but fail to provide evidence of English proficiency can be offered conditional admission. Applicants who are offered conditional admission can be officially matriculated when meet the required English proficiency. The conditional admission letter will be valid in two years. After that the admission letter will become invalid and the applicant must reapply for admission.

VII. Curriculum and Degree Granting

Officially admitted students must first report arrival at the International College of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of TCM, complete the registration as full-time students at Pacific University. The curriculum is jointly undertaken by Chinese and American instructors to provide personalized and elitist education.

VIII. Accommodation

IOOS provides accommodation but students should bear their own housing expenses. Students can enjoy the library resources and one-card service of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine at IOOS campus for free.

IX. Relevant Matters

(I) Transfer of household registration and personnel files

This program is an independent enrollment program of Chinese-foreign Cooperation in running school, approved by the Ministry of Education, and does not belong to the unified enrollment of postgraduate students in China. During the period of study, the transfer of collective household registration and transfer of personnel files will not be handled.

(II) Academic and degree certification

According to the information provided by“Information base of certification and registration of overseas academic degree certificates issued by Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools”, the Service Center for Scholarly Exchange of Ministry of Education will conduct authentication of the overseas academic and degree certificates obtained by the students in Chinese-foreign cooperatively-run schools, and issue the corresponding certificates. For specific certification methods and requirements, please see:

Information Platform for Supervision of Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools of the Ministry of Education:

http://www.crs.jsj.edu.cn/index.php/default/news/index/22 ;

The Overseas Academic and Degree Certification System of Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchanges,Ministry of Education: http://zwfw.cscse.edu.cn/

X. Contact Information

Address No.4655, Daxue Road, Changqing District, Jinan City, Shandong Province

Tel 0531-58859692

Email semjyk@163.com

Related Websites

International College of Ophthalmology and Optometry, Shandong University of Chinese Medicine: / 

Website of Graduate Student Office, Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine: https://yjs.sdutcm.edu.cn/

Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine's official website: https://www.sdutcm.edu.cn/index.htm

Oregon Pacific University's official website: https://www.pacificu.edu/

Information Platform for Supervision of Chinese-Foreign Cooperation in Running Schools of the Ministry of Education: http://www.crs.jsj.edu.cn/

Website of Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchanges of Ministry of Education：http://www.cscse.edu.cn/ 

Website of WES evaluation: https://www.wes.org/