Page Comparison

Doctoral students successfully completing a program of study in the Department of Community and Family Health (CFH) will possess a defined set of competencies in four areas.  These competencies should be used as a guidepost for the student and academic advisory committee in planning a program of study.  Competencies can be met through previous academic or work experience, or they can be fulfilled through a combination of planned course work and other scholarly experience.  

In addition to the overall Doctor of Philosophy degree competencies, a graduate from the Community & Family Health Doctoral program will be able to perform the following competencies:

Domain 1: Scientific Knowledge and Theory

1. Defend the importance of theoretical frameworks in planning, implementation, and evaluation of community and family health interventions.
2. Describe significant public health achievements, changing paradigms, and continuing challenges.
3. Analyze research traditions in community and family health from the standpoint of the philosophy of science.

Domain 2: Research

1. Critically analyze research literature;
2. Identify models for guiding independent research;
3. Formulate research questions and testable hypotheses that will impact community and family health;
4. Align research questions with appropriate methods of inquiry;
5. Describe techniques and methods for community-based participatory research;
6. Assess appropriateness of existing data sets to answer research questions;
7. Analyze research data;
8. Interpret research findings;
9. Demonstrate appropriate methods of data collection and analysis for innovative;
10. Apply ethical standards of public health in the conduct and dissemination of research;
11. Work as an effective research team member;
12. Prepare scholarly publications and deliver oral presentations; and
13. Recognize appropriate funding sources for research.

Domain 3: Teaching

1. Demonstrate ability to teach a university level course using current pedagogical techniques; and
2. Align teaching methods to learner needs.

 Domain 4: Practice

1. Identify the practice and policy implications of specific research;
2. Describe techniques and methods for including community members in planning, implementing, and evaluating public health programs;
3. Disseminate knowledge across targeted audiences in practice, policy, and community settings;
4. Demonstrate proficiency in writing audience-centered technical reports; and
5. Advocate for public health issues in community and family health.

Entering a doctoral degree program is a serious endeavor for both students and faculty. Since students bring a broad spectrum of academic and professional experiences and interests, they are encouraged to shape their doctoral program to meet their individual needs, goals and desires. At the same time the faculty views doctoral study as an endeavor that must meet strict standards to achieve ideals for scholarship and intellectual discipline. It is expected that doctoral students will devote at least two consecutive semesters, preferably in the first year, to full time study.

The degree offered is the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). With the underpinnings of philosophy, the doctoral degree spans the academic spectrum from strong theoretical bases to practical, experiential methods.

By working in cooperation with faculty and members of the doctoral committee, the student has the responsibility to:

• Take the lead in designing the course of study;
• Devote at least two consecutive semesters, preferably during the first year following admission, to full time study;
• Develop and maintain the understanding that the doctoral program is a serious commitment of time and dedication;
• Participate in intellectual and scholarly activities of the Department;
• Work independently as much as possible;
• Demonstrate continuous progress through the doctoral program from start to finish;
• Respect the many demands that are placed on faculty;
• Be responsible for knowing and adhering to mandatory deadlines, forms, and signature requirements set forth by the department, college, and university;
• Arrange and schedule committee meetings as deemed necessary;
• Be open and receptive to challenges set forth by the doctoral committee; and
• Assume a place in a community of scholars and family of learners.

Doctoral studies are a joint effort of the faculty and students.  In a very real way, we all learn together.  We try to follow the department motto of "A Community of Scholars; A Family of Learners." The faculty tries to create the atmosphere and opportunity for each student to learn and explore new areas of knowledge. However, students must chart their own course, take responsibility for their own learning program, and use the faculty for guidance and support. In the Department of Community and Family Health, the faculty are committed to the serious obligation of mentoring and guiding doctoral students through the PhD process.  Thus, major professors: 

• Advise on curriculum and course selection;
• Assist in selection of committee members;
• Direct the preparation and grading of the qualifying examination;
• Guide and direct the dissertation research;
• Read and edit all drafts of the dissertation in a timely manner;
• Act as a liaison between the student and other committee members as needed;
• Determine when the student is prepared to present the research proposal and dissertation;
• Prepare the student for the format and rigor of the dissertation;
• Introduce students into the community of scholars and family of learners; and
• Mentor students in professional development and pursuit of career goals.

Doctoral Program Committee: An advisor (major professor) is appointed by the Department for each student upon admission. Upon review of the student’s background and educational objectives, the advisor assists in identifying any specific deficiencies and guides the choice of a program committee, the program of study, and the area of research. Normally, by the end of the first semester of course work, in collaboration with the major professor, the student will identify and formalize a doctoral program committee to plan the course requirements. The Department requires that the doctoral committee be comprised of at least four credentialed members of the graduate faculty.  More specifically,

• The Chair must be fully credentialed by the College of Public Health and a ranked faculty member of the Department of Community and Family Health,

• A minimum of three committee members (including the Chair) must come from the academic discipline and be credentialed by the College of Public Health,

• Other members of the committee should be from outside of the Department,

• At least one other committee member not including the Chair must be a ranked faculty member of the Department,

• Faculty holding joint or adjunct appointments in the degree-granting academic unit (i.e. Department or equivalent) cannot be external members on a student's committee,

• Exceptions to committee membership or changes in membership must be approved by the Department Chair, and conflicts that arise with your committee that are unresolved may be brought to the Department Chair.

The student should complete the PhD Committee Form at http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/forms through the signature of the Department Chairperson. Then turn in this form to the Academic and Student Affairs Office room 1006 in the WELL. The Academic and Student Affairs Office will obtain the signature of the Associate Dean and notify you of the status of your form by email.

The Doctoral Committee recommends and ultimately approves the student's course of study and plan for research, grades the written qualifying examination, reads and approves the dissertation proposal, and supervises the dissertation proposal and dissertation presentation meetings. 

After the qualifying examination but before the student reaches the dissertation stage, the need for modification in committee membership may be assessed. The membership of the dissertation committee may be the same as that of the doctoral program committee, unless the PhD candidate or major professor recommends a change, and the Department Chair approves it. The form is called thePhD Change of Committee Form and is available at http://www.publichealth.usf.edu/forms.

The doctoral committee may meet at any time to discuss or evaluate the student's progress or to suggest changes in the plan of study. The student also may request a committee meeting. The major professor (doctoral committee chair) may be asked to provide the Department Chair, the Department faculty, or the student with an evaluation of the student's progress toward the degree. On at least an annual basis, all doctoral students will submit an annual progress report to the Department Chair that will be reviewed by the Chair or designee who will also send to the major professor. 

How to make changes in your doctoral committee: Occasionally due to changes in the focus of your research or through irresolvable conflicts, it becomes necessary to change the composition of your doctoral committee. Also, one of your committee members may ask to step down from serving on your committee due to a variety of reasons. In either case, the following steps should serve as a guide to facilitate the change process:

• Obtain Changes to the Graduate Student Supervisory Committee Form at http://www.publichealth.usf.edu/forms
• Make an appointment to inform the committee member that you wish to make changes on your committee.  At the meeting, the committee member should sign the form referenced in #1 above, indicating agreement to no longer serve on the committee. 
• Make an appointment to meet with the faculty member who is being adding to the committee. The same form is signed by the new committee member.
• Upon completion of obtaining the two faculty signatures, the student is responsible for obtaining the signature of the Department Chairperson and turning the form in to the Academic and Student Affairs Office. That office will obtain the signature of the Associate Dean for Academic and Student Affairs and notify you of the status by email. The student should make two copies (one to keep and one for the major professor).

• If it is not possible to resolve the differences during the private meeting, the Department Chairperson or designated faculty member will be contacted for mediation between the two individuals. The Dean would be the next level of grievance resolution.