DrPH Qualifying Exam

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DrPH Qualifying Examination

Overview

Before beginning the doctoral project, students must pass the Qualifying Examination, which confirms readiness to complete the final phase of the program.

The Doctoral Project is a field-based initiative designed to influence programs, policies, or systems in public health practice. It must include:

• At least three high-quality, evidence-based deliverables

• One written product minimum

• Demonstrated synthesis of DrPH competencies across all curriculum domains in the student’s concentration

For the USF policy, please refer to the USF Catalog.

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Doctoral Project Plan

The qualifying exam consists of:

1. Written Doctoral Project Plan (Chapters 1–3)

2. Oral Examination

Doctoral Project Plan Description & Guidelines

Tip: Begin planning your doctoral project early with your Major Professor to avoid delays.

✅ Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the exam, students must:

• Have an approved committee form in Archivum (submit at least 10 weeks before the proposed exam date)

• Maintain a GPA of 3.30 or higher

• Have no “I” or “M” grades (including IF/MF)

• Complete and submit the Applied Practice Experience (APE)

• Be enrolled in at least two credit hours during the exam semester

• Complete Chapters 1–3 of the Doctoral Project

• Students must work with their committee to determine the date of the exam

• Submit the Qualifying Exam form in Archivum

  • Form must be submitted no later than 2 weeks before the proposed exam date

  • Retroactive submission of the qualifying exam form will not be allowed

Approval must be obtained from the following to take the qualifying exam:

• Doctoral Committee

• Advanced Practice Leadership concentration: Submit committee-approved plan to DrPH Director no later than 4 weeks before oral exam

• Clinical Laboratory Science and Practice concentration: Submit committee-approved plan to Lab Concentration Director no later than 2 weeks before oral exam

✍️ Written Component of the Exam

• Submit Doctoral Project Plan (Chapters 1–3)

• Plan must follow the Doctoral Project Plan Guidelines and will be evaluated using the Doctoral Project Plan Rubric

• Work closely with your Major Professor and committee to develop and refine your plan

• Notify committee members and schedule an oral exam once the plan is approved

• Submit final draft to the committee at least 2 weeks before the oral exam

🗣️ Oral Component of the Exam

• Once the Qualifying Exam form is approved, the Office of Doctoral Training will send the oral exam meeting invite

• Presentation of written Doctoral Project Plan (max 35 minutes)

• The major professor chairs the session

• The committee conducts multiple rounds of questions

• Note: The qualifying exam is not open to the public

• Focus areas:

  • Community Engagement: Impact and involvement

  • Leadership & Management: Skill development

  • Communication & Education: Contribution to public health transformation

  • Evidence-Based Approach: Research and best practices

Committee deliberates and may require modifications—even if the student passes.

Recommended Registration

• It is recommended that students register for PHC 7908 Specialized Study during the semesters they write and take their qualifying exam

• Students may register for PHC 7919 Doctoral Project after passing the qualifying exam

• Students who submit committee-approved Chapters 1–3 by prior semester deadlines may register during the exam semester (pending DrPH Director approval)