PhD Proposal and Dissertation

Dissertation Process Overview

Within the College of Public Health, each concentration has specific requirements for the dissertation process. Students are responsible for consulting with their doctoral committee to confirm the style, format, and expectations for their concentration.

Dissertation Proposal and Defense – General Information

Some concentrations require students to prepare a dissertation proposal and present a proposal defense. The proposal typically includes Chapters 1–3 of the dissertation.

For concentrations that require a proposal defense:

Students must be admitted to doctoral candidacy before the defense.
Students must be registered for at least 2 dissertation credits during the semester of the proposal defense.

Required Forms (due at least 4 weeks prior to the proposal defense):

Proposal Defense Form – Submit through Archivum. Students who began prior to 2017 and have not submitted COPH doctoral forms in Archivum should email cophdoctoral@usf.edu for assistance.
PhD Dissertation Proposal Announcement – Email to cophdoctoral@usf.edu four weeks before the defense date. Announcements are posted publicly prior to the scheduled defense.

The Proposal Defense Chair is not required; the Major Professor may serve as Chair. Students should work closely with their (Co-)Major Professor(s) and committee to determine the date and time of the defense.

For official USF policy on dissertations, refer to the USF Catalog.

Dissertation Defense – General Information

Students must submit a draft of the dissertation to their committee at least four weeks before the defense date. Committee members should provide feedback within two weeks. The revised draft must be sent to the committee at least seven days before the defense. No changes should be made to the dissertation until after the defense.

Required Forms (due four weeks prior to the dissertation defense):

Final Defense Form – Submit through Archivum. Students who began prior to 2017 should email cophdoctoral@usf.edu for assistance.
PhD Dissertation Defense Announcement – Email to cophdoctoral@usf.edu. Announcements are posted publicly prior to the scheduled defense.

Students should schedule their defense well in advance, using 25Live, and ensure it meets COPH’s published deadlines. Work with your committee to confirm the date and time.

For official USF policy on doctoral degree requirements, refer to the USF Catalog.

Graduation Checklist

USF Requirements

Complete the Graduation Application by the end of drop/end of the intended graduation semester. The Doctoral Training Office will email a graduation checklist after receiving the graduation application.
Register for Commencement Ceremony (optional).

Graduate Studies Requirements

Complete ETD Online Registration.
Submit required ETD forms to etd@grad.usf.edu.
Attend an ETD Workshop or Help Session (recommended).
Follow ETD Formatting Requirements.
Deadlines vary by semester. Check the Electronic Thesis & Dissertation (ETD) website for details.

COPH Requirements

Submit signed Plan of Study to cophgraduation@usf.edu (only Major Professor signature required). Contact cophdoctoral@usf.edu for assistance.
Make sure all doctoral milestones have been completed and forms submitted.
Complete the COPH Doctoral Alumni Survey (link will be emailed).
Complete Competencies (if admitted prior to Fall 2017).
Complete COPH Graduation Information Survey.
Complete COPH Exit Survey (link will be emailed).