DrPH Programs of Study

Also see the DrPH Guidebook Homepage for important information on this degree, and the USF Graduate Catalog, Public Health DrPH section

The DrPH degree offers two concentrations: Advanced Practice Leadership in Public Health, and Public Health and Clinical Laboratory Science and Practice. Each of these has an applied curriculum that develops the student’s skillset in community engagement, leadership and management, communication and education, and evidence-based public health.

Concentrations (Links to Program of Study)

DrPH Concentration	Format	Concentration Lead
Advanced Practice Leadership in Public Health	Online Hybrid	Dr. Fiona Lewis
Public Health and Clinical Laboratory Science and Practice	Online Hybrid	Dr. Jill Roberts

The completion time for this program varies depending on individual circumstances. Several factors may contribute to a student not completing the program within three years, including major life events, leaves of absence, and setbacks in academic progression. After completing the coursework, it typically takes an average of 12 to 18 months to finalize the doctoral project.

General Program Timeline

DrPH Milestones Timeline

Milestone	When Should I Complete This?	What Documents Are Needed?	How Do I Submit To?
Applied Practice Experience (APE)	By the end of the second year	APE Syllabus, Deliverables, Reflection Paper	Syllabus must be sent to the DrPH Director before starting Faculty & Practice Mentor review all completed documents and sign the syllabus Final approved documents sent to DrPH Director
Doctoral Committee Formation	By the Fall semester of the third year	Committee form, CV for External Mentor, Justification statement (explaining how the external mentor aids your research)	The form must be submitted in Archivum. Form must be received a minimum of 8 weeks before the proposed qualifying exam date.
Qualifying Exam	After completion of the second year	Chapters 1-3, Qualifying Exam form, PowerPoint Presentation	Leadership: Committee-approved Chapters 1-3 must be submitted to the DrPH Director a minimum of 4 weeks before the proposed exam date. Lab: Committee-approved Chapters 1-3 must be sent to Dr. Roberts a minimum of 2 weeks before the proposed exam date. QE Form must be submitted in Archivum, with confirmed date/time, a minimm of 2 weeks before the proposed exam date
Doctoral Project/Final Defense	After the qualifying exam and completion of the project	Chapters 1-5, Defense Announcement, Final Defense Form, PowerPoint Presentation	Leadership: Committee-approved Chapters 1-5 must be submitted to the DrPH Director a minimum of 4 weeks before the proposed exam date. Lab: Committee-approved Chapters 1-5 must be sent to Dr. Roberts a minimum of 2 weeks before the proposed exam date. Final Defense Form must be submitted in Archivum, with confirmed date/time, a minimum of 2 weeks before the proposed exam date Announcement must be sent to cophdoctoral@usf.edu no less than 2 weeks before the proposed exam date