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Major Focus Areas of the PhD Program in Epidemiology

Students can choose to focus their Doctoral Program in Epidemiology in a specific focus area, for example: Cancer Epidemiology, Infectious Disease Epidemiology, Maternal and Child Health or Perinatal/ Reproductive Epidemiology, or Neuroepidemiology.  Examples of possible plans of study for each focus area are available on the Department website and the Department Doctoral Student Handbook.  The major focus area is identified and developed jointly by the student and the student's Doctoral Program Committee.

Overview of Requirements for Doctoral Program in Epidemiology

The Doctoral Program in Epidemiology usually involves two-three years of course work, based upon a student’s previous Epidemiology training, followed by a doctoral dissertation project (average time required for dissertation project is two to three years).   An overview of the requirements for the doctoral program in Epidemiology is as follows:

**recommended not required

 Coursework

The USF Graduate School requires a minimum of 90 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate degree for the doctoral degree. In order to meet the college requirement of "90 credits beyond the baccalaureate," most students will need to complete a total of 50-57 credit hours beyond the master’s degree including 18 hours of coursework in Epidemiology and Biostatistics. The remaining credits are made up of course electives, which may or may not be within the department and a minimum of 18 credits of dissertation. Coursework in other departments or colleges may be required by the individual's doctoral committee. In addition, the overall coursework must include a minimum of 13 hours at the 7000 level and three Advanced Interdisciplinary Doctoral Seminars.

For a listing of the courses offered by the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, see the COPH website.  More information about doctoral program coursework is provided in the Department Doctoral Student Handbook and program requirements for the Doctoral Program in Epidemiology are provided below.

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Table 1. Requirements for Doctoral Program in Epidemiology   

Students are required to complete and submit the Department Doctoral Plan of Study Form by the end of the second semester after enrollment into the program.  The student should meet with their Major Professor and Doctoral Program Committee to select courses and complete the Plan of Study form.  The Department Plan of Study outlines the Department and College requirements for successful completion of the doctoral program including required coursework and other requirements. A signed copy of the Department Plan of Study Form should be submitted to the COPH Office of Academic and Student Affairs and the Department Academic Coordinator by the last day of classes in the Spring semester.  The student should retain a copy for his/her records.  After initially completing the Department Doctoral Plan of Study Form, the student should meet with his/her Major Professor at least annually to review the Plan of Study and update it as needed.  Each time the Plan of Study is revised, a copy of the revised Form should be submitted the COPH Office of Academic & Student Affairs as well as the Department.  At the conclusion of the student’s doctoral program, a final version of the completed Department Plan of Study Form should be submitted to the COPH Office of Academic & Student Affairs and the Department.  More information about doctoral program coursework is provided in the Department Doctoral Student Handbook.

Advanced Interdisciplinary Seminars in Public Health

In addition to coursework, the College requires that each doctoral student successfully complete three Advanced Interdisciplinary Seminars during their plan of study.  These seminars are offered at various times throughout the academic year.  Students should consult the COPH Course Schedule and their Major Professor each semester to determine which seminars will fulfill this requirement.

Teaching

In addition to coursework, each doctoral student is required to demonstrate proficiency in teaching by serving as TAs for graduate and/or undergraduate level courses and/or other relevant teaching experiences and coursework. The purpose of the teaching requirement is to equip students with experience and proficiency in effective communication in a classroom setting as well opportunities to develop skills necessary for effective classroom management and student mentoring.  TAs should maintain responsible and professional conduct during all interactions with faculty and students.  The TA should not meet with students in their homes, isolated locations, or late nights for their own personal safety.  The TA should promptly report any suspicious or dangerous student behavior to the course instructor and campus police, if necessary.  More information about the teaching requirement for the doctoral program is provided in the Department Doctoral Student Handbook.

Other Departmental Requirements

Public Health Seminars

Departmental, College and USF Health seminars, guest lectures (e.g., Dean’s Lecture Series) are held throughout the academic year and these seminars are an important part of a student's academic training and professional development.  Each doctoral student is expected to attend all seminars but is required to attend at least two seminars per semester.  Students should include documentation of attendance at the seminars with the Department Annual Student Progress Report.

Other Department Activities

Doctoral students are also expected to attend Dissertation Concept Presentations, Proposal Defenses, and Dissertation Defenses of other doctoral students in the Department to provide encouragement and support.  Students should also attend other Department and College events and activities as their work schedules permit.

Annual Student Progress Report

All doctoral students will submit an annual progress report to the Department Doctoral Program Director(s) that will be reviewed by the Department faculty. The report will be used to assess the student’s progress through the program.  The report should be submitted to the Department by June 30th of each year.  An overall assessment and recommendations for modifications to the student’s plan of study from the Department faculty may be given to the student’s Major Professor and the student. 

The Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics Annual Student Progress Report and more information about the Annual Student Progress Report can be obtained from the Department Doctoral Student Handbook and the Department website. 

Primary Data Collection Experience

The conduct of epidemiological studies in clinical and community settings is an integral part of the responsibilities and expectations of a doctoral level epidemiologist.  Therefore, the Department strongly encourages all doctoral students in the Department to have direct involvement in at least two adequate practical hands-on experiences in the implementation of epidemiological studies during their course of study.  An adequate practical experience is defined as a meaningful experience in study implementation activities during one semester.  The student’s Major Professor and Doctoral Program Committee will assist with the selection of eligible and relevant activities, the time and effort required and provides final approval.  Students are responsible for making the arrangements and for providing acceptable documentation that this experience has been attempted or exempted. 

Students with previous experience in data collection are strongly encouraged to engage in activities not performed in the past.  If possible, students should complete primary data collection experiences prior to scheduling the final Dissertation Defense.  Students should complete and submit the Primary Data Collection Experience Form for each activity completed with their Annual Progress Report to their Major Professor and the Department Academic Coordinator. 

Time Limits for Completion of Doctoral Program

On average, the doctoral program requires four to five years for completion following the Master’s or other advanced degree.  The USF Graduate School requires completion of all requirements for the doctoral degree within a specified period of time from the date of enrollment into the program.  Students should consult the USF Graduate School catalog for the specific time limits which apply to them.  In addition, the Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics reserves the right to dismiss a student at any time because of failure to make satisfactory, continuous progress toward completion of the degree.