Doctoral Deadlines and FAQs

Doctoral Training Calendar 2025-2026

FALL 2025
OCTOBER
3^rd	Fall 2025 graduation application submission deadline	All programs
24^th	Last day to submit final Dissertation defense form (announcement must be sent to the Doctoral Training Office)	PhD only
NOVEMBER
4^th	Last day for a final Dissertation defense	PhD only
7^th	ETD Dissertation deadline	PhD only
11^th	Last day to submit final Doctoral Project or Project Proposal (for qualifying exam) documents to the DrPH Director for review and approval	DrPH only
25^th	Last day to submit the Doctoral Project defense form in Archivum and announcement to the Doctoral Training Office	DrPH only
DECEMBER
1^st	Last day to submit Admission to Candidacy paperwork to Doctoral Training Office	PhD only
9^th	Last day for a Doctoral Project defense or Qualifying exam	DrPH only
10^th	Last day for a Dissertation Proposal defense	PhD only
	Fall Commencement (date tentative)	All programs
SPRING 2026
FEBRUARY
20^th	Spring 2026 graduation application submission deadline	DrPH only
24^th	Last day to submit final Dissertation defense form, (announcement must be sent to the Doctoral Training Office)	PhD only
MARCH
24^th	Last day for a final Dissertation defense	PhD only
27^th	ETD Dissertation deadline	PhD only
APRIL
7^th	Last day to submit final Doctoral Project or Project Proposal (for qualifying exam) documents to the DrPH Director for review and approval	DrPH only
8^th	Last day to submit the Proposal defense form (announcement must be sent to the Doctoral Training Office)	PhD only
14^th	Last day to submit the Doctoral Project defense form in Archivum and announcement to the Doctoral Training Office	DrPH only
MAY
4^th	Last day to submit Admission to Candidacy paperwork to the Doctoral Training Office	PhD only
5^th	Last day for a Doctoral Project defense or Qualifying exam	DrPH only
6^th	Last day for a Dissertation Proposal defense	PhD only
	Spring 2026 Commencement (date TBD)	All programs
SUMMER 2026
JUNE
26^th	Last day to submit final Dissertation defense form, (announcement must be sent to the Doctoral Training Office)	PhD only
JUNE
9^th	Last day to submit final Dissertation defense form, (announcement must be sent to the Doctoral Training Office)	PhD only
23^rd	Last day for a final Dissertation defense	PhD only
25^th	Last day to submit final Doctoral Project or Project Proposal (for qualifying exam) documents to the DrPH Director for review and approval	DrPH only
25^th	Last day to submit the Proposal defense form (announcement must be sent to the Doctoral Training Office)	PhD only
26^th	Summer 2026 graduation application submission deadline	DrPH only
26^th	ETD Dissertation deadline	PhD only
JULY
8^th	Last day to submit final Doctoral Project defense form in Archivum and announcement to Doctoral Training Office	DrPH only
20^th	Last day to submit Admission to Candidacy paperwork to the Doctoral Training Office	PhD only
22^nd	Last day for a Doctoral Project defense or Qualifying exam	DrPH only
23^rd	Last day for a Dissertation Proposal defense	PhD only
AUGUST
	Summer 2026 Commencement (date TBD)	All programs

Full 2025-2026 Doctoral Training Calendar

All defense forms and announcements must be submitted no later than 2 weeks before the proposed defense date.

DrPH Students who have not completed the Qualifying Exam must submit their Doctoral Project Proposal to the DrPH Director by the posted deadlines to be eligible for approval to register for PHC 7919 in the following semester.

Additional Academic and University Deadlines

Additional Academic and University Deadlines

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change my committee member?
- Students should discuss any change to their program with their faculty mentor before requesting a change. Change of Faculty Mentor requests may be made through the Archivum system, which is an online process.
Can I miss a semester of taking classes?
- Yes. But be careful of the time to the degree. Doctoral degrees must be completed within seven (7) years from the student's original date of admission for doctoral study. All courses applied to the doctoral degree must be completed within ten (10) years, including courses taken:
  - Prior to admission to the USF doctoral program
  - taken as non-degree seeking
  - transferred in from other institutions
I stopped attending my program, but I would like to start again. What do I need to do?
- Students who do not meet the enrollment requirements will become inactive. Once inactive, a student must be readmitted or reinstated. Students should contact the Office of Doctoral Training to determine the course of action. See the USF readmission policy: Reinstatement and Re-application for Admission Policies.

Time Limit Extensions
If a student nears the end of the time limit as specified above but needs more time to complete the degree, the student may submit a request for an extension using the Time Limit Extension Request Form, available on the Office of Graduate Studies Forms website.

Requests must include:

the reasons for the delay in completion,
the anticipated time needed for completion (two years maximum)
endorsements from the faculty advisor, graduate program, and College Dean or designee,
a detailed plan of study and timeline for the remaining requirements for the degree

Only one time limit extension request is permitted. Students who are temporarily unable to continue the program should submit a Leave of Absence Request, which extends the time limit for the duration of the approved Leave (see the Leave of Absence section in the Enrollment Requirements).

Note: Time Limit Extensions are valid for a maximum of two (2) years from the date of request. For more information and guidance, contact the Doctoral Training Office at cophdoctoral@usf.edu.