College of Public Health Guidebooks
Doctoral FAQs
Full 2025-2026 Doctoral Training Calendar
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 (cophdoctoral@usf.edu) to determine the course of action. See the USF Readmission Policy: Reinstatement and Re-application Policies (on the Admissions page in the USF Graduate Catalog) and the Graduate Major Reinstatement Form.
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 section on Leave of Absence under Enrollment Requirements on the Academic Policies page of the USF Catalog).
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.