Joint Circular No. 30/2003/TTLT-BGDĐT-BYT guides the conversion of diplomas and postgraduate training levels in the healthcare sector.

JOINT CIRCULAR

JOINT CIRCULAR NO. 30/2003/TTLT-BGDĐT-BYT OF THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND TRAINING - MINISTRY OF HEALTH DATED JULY 1, 2003 GUIDING THE TRANSITION BETWEEN CERTIFICATES AND POSTGRADUATE DEGREES IN THE FIELD OF HEALTH CARE

Pursuant to Article 11 of Decree No. 43/2000/NĐ-CP dated August 30, 2000 of the Government detailing and guiding the implementation of certain provisions of the Education Law, the Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Health guide the transition between certificates and postgraduate degrees in the field of health care as follows:

I. APPLICABLE OBJECTS

1. Individuals holding the title or certificate of hospital resident physician, certificate or degree of specialist level I, degree of pharmaceutical specialist level I, degree of specialist level II, degree of pharmaceutical specialist level II in postgraduate education in the field of health care (hereinafter referred to as hospital resident physician, specialist level I degree, specialist level II degree).

2. Individuals holding a master's degree in medicine or a doctorate in medicine, a master's degree in pharmacy or a doctorate in pharmacy.

II. PRINCIPLES FOR TRANSITION

1. The subjects specified in Section I who wish to undergo a transition program shall self-direct and choose an appropriate study program to develop their capabilities in line with their field of work.

2. Encouragement for obtaining multiple certificates is promoted but learners must complete training programs.

3. Learners undergoing transitions must comply with regulations on entrance examinations and complete the transition training programs as stipulated in Section III of this Joint Circular.

III. REGULATIONS ON TRANSITION

1. Transition from specialist level I degree to master's degree in medicine or pharmacy.

Individuals holding a specialist level I degree wishing to obtain a master's degree in medicine or pharmacy must meet the following conditions:

- The specialty of the specialist level I degree must be compatible with the specialty of the desired master's degree in medicine or pharmacy.

- There must be a dispatch letter from the human resource management agency for the transition training.

- They must pass the basic subject and foreign language exams in the annual master's degree entrance examination organized by the postgraduate institution offering the corresponding specialty and be recognized as a graduate student by the educational institution.

- Complete the remaining courses in the master's program and successfully defend a thesis according to the current postgraduate education regulations. The supplementary course program for each specialty is established by the educational institution and approved by the Ministry of Education and Training.

2. Transition from master's degree in medicine or pharmacy to specialist level I degree.

Individuals holding a master's degree in medicine or pharmacy wishing to obtain a specialist level I degree must meet the following conditions:

- The specialty of the master's degree in medicine or pharmacy must be compatible with the specialty of the desired specialist level I degree.

- There must be a dispatch letter from the human resource management agency for the transition training.

- They must pass the required specialized subject exam in the annual specialist level I entrance examination organized by the postgraduate institution and be recognized as qualified by the Ministry of Health.

- Complete the remaining courses in the specialist level I program and pass the practical final examination according to the current specialist level I training regulations of the Ministry of Health. The supplementary course program and practical training for each specialty are established by the educational institution and approved by the Ministry of Health.

3. Transition from hospital resident physician degree to master's degree in medicine.

- Individuals admitted to the hospital resident physician training program will be recognized as graduate students.

- Physicians trained under the hospital resident physician program will supplement the remaining courses in the corresponding master's program according to the current postgraduate education regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training. Upon completion of the hospital resident physician program, the graduate student will be awarded a master's degree in medicine.

4. Transition from specialist level II degree to doctorate in medicine or pharmacy.

Individuals holding a specialist level II degree wishing to obtain a doctorate in medicine or pharmacy must meet the following conditions:

- The specialty of the specialist level II degree must be compatible with the specialty of the desired doctorate in medicine or pharmacy.

- There must be a dispatch letter from the human resource management agency for the transition training.

- They must pass the basic and foundational subject exams and successfully defend a research proposal in the annual doctoral candidate entrance examination organized by the postgraduate institutions offering the corresponding specialty and be recognized as a doctoral candidate by the Ministry of Education and Training.

- Complete the remaining courses in the doctoral program and successfully defend a doctoral dissertation in medicine or pharmacy according to the current postgraduate education regulations of the Ministry of Education and Training. The supplementary course program for each specialty is established by the educational institution and approved by the Ministry of Education and Training.

5. Transition from doctorate in medicine or pharmacy to specialist level II degree.

Individuals holding a doctorate in medicine or pharmacy wishing to obtain a specialist level II degree must meet the following conditions:

- The specialty of the doctorate in medicine or pharmacy must be compatible with the specialty of the desired specialist level II degree.

- There must be a dispatch letter from the human resource management agency for the transition training.

- Complete the practical components and pass the practical final examination according to the current specialist level II training regulations of the Ministry of Health. The supplementary course program and practical training for each specialty are established by the educational institution and approved by the Ministry of Health.

IV. ORGANIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

1. The Ministry of Education and Training and the Ministry of Health shall notify this Joint Circular to postgraduate educational institutions within the national education system, healthcare facilities, and guide the implementation of this Joint Circular.

2. In the process of implementation, if there are any issues, the two Ministries will coordinate to resolve them.

3. This Joint Circular takes effect fifteen days after its publication in the Official Gazette.