Welcome to the PhD Program at the College of Public Health! 

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is granted in recognition of high attainment in a specified field of knowledge. It is a research degree and is not conferred solely upon the earning of credit or the completion of courses. It is granted after the student has shown proficiency and distinctive achievement in a specific field, has demonstrated the ability to do original, independent investigation, and has presented these findings with a high degree of literary skill in a dissertation. This degree requires a minimum of 55 credits post-master’s. The mission of the programs of study for the Doctor of Philosophy degree is to prepare public health professionals to make substantive contributions to public health inquiry and practice.

Students should acquire the skills to create and disseminate knowledge, and also to lead, collaborate with and teach others in various public health academic, research and field settings. Therefore, the foundation of a strong PhD program in public health includes:

• Capable, ethical and scholarly faculty to mentor students in their area of interest,

• The potential for financial assistance/funding of doctoral student research and teaching,

• Availability of courses in students area of interest, Students who have the academic and professional potential to achieve the doctoral competencies,

• Students who are ethical, scholarly representatives of the profession and the school,

• The availability of meaningful professional development activities, and

• Opportunities for students to participate in activities.

• Competencies are met by successfully completing a doctoral committee approved plan of academic study and research, and documented professional and other scholarly experiences.

Admission information can be found on our Graduate Admissions page.

These PhD Guidelines present the USF Office of Graduate Studies policies. The College of Public Health may impose stricter guidelines, policies and procedures as determined by each concentration. It is the responsibility of the student to review and follow the specific guidelines with their concentration chairs, major professor and committee members.

Additional USF policies, not found in these guidelines, may be found at www.grad.usf.edu/policies.php or at www.grad.usf.edu/catalog.php.

 Steps to Success

• Know about USF Student Integrity and related content

• Know the progression policy for the PHD and DRPH

• Review Getting Started

• Learning about registration and where to find course information

• Knowing deadlines and where to find Program of Study, forms, and frequently asked questions

  • Review the Doctoral Training Calendar for additional deadlines

• Keeping your degree on track and in good standing:

  • Keep your degree status active (see continuous enrollment in Enrollment Requirements)

  • Know your degree time limitations

  • Maintain a 3.0 or better Grade Point Average (GPA) or you will be put on probation ( a 3.3 GPA is required to be in doctoral progression at COPH)

• Faculty Advisors and Committees

• Complete the required Doctoral Milestones

• Qualifying Exam

• Proposal and Dissertation

• Learn about Student Organizations

• Meet with the Doctoral Training Office the term before you graduate and review your status

• Early during the semester you plan to graduate you should register for graduation

• Participate in the COPH graduation celebration, the USF Health graduation ceremony, and join our USF and COPH alumni communities

Degree and Concentration Information