PhD Community and Family Health

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.

The Department of Community and Family Health offers a Doctor of Philosophy degree to qualified candidates.  Students complete required doctoral level courses, as well as additional courses in the major focus area. The major focus area is identified and developed jointly by the student and the student's program planning committee. The major focus area must be related to one of the academic program areas within the Department of Community and Family Health, although it may involve an interdisciplinary linkage to disciplines outside of the Department.

All doctoral students typically make at least a one-semester commitment to teaching an undergraduate course, and a one-semester commitment to serving as a teaching assistant in a graduate course. This teaching requirement may only be waived if the student has documented evidence of prior and in-depth teaching experience at the post-secondary level. The student will be asked to submit the course syllabus and teaching evaluations as documentation. Undergraduate teaching should include having primary responsibility for all phases of course development, implementation, and evaluation.  Graduate teaching should include having at least partial but significant responsibility for course planning and delivery. Guest lecturing and performing clerical or other course-related work for a faculty member does not meet this requirement.

Upon completion of the teaching assignment, the student will have:

• Demonstrated college level teaching skills in terms of course design, delivery and evaluation;
• Utilized principles of adult learning in teaching situations;
• Assessed the role of faculty in academic settings; and
• Gained competency in technology enhanced instruction.

The student, with concurrence of the doctoral committee, must identify the nature and timing of the teaching requirement in the student’s plan of study.  Once this schedule has been completed, it is up to the student to submit it to the Department Chair.  The schedule must be submitted a minimum of one semester prior to when the student plans to teach to allow the Department Chair to make the necessary arrangements for the scheduling.

During the semester in which the student is teaching, a tuition waiver for 9 credit hours and a stipend are awarded. Any student who is teaching is assigned work space in which to meet with students and secure course materials.

All doctoral students (full-time or part-time) are expected to participate in various Department-organized activities. These activities may include:

• Retreats,
• Seminars and guest lectures,
• Mentoring Opportunities,
• Service on Committees,
• Meetings to which doctoral students have been invited,
• Selected off-campus activities, and
• Presentations of other students’ proposals and dissertations.

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 the PhD 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.

Purpose of the qualifying examination:  The purpose of the qualifying examination is to move the students into formal candidacy through written demonstration of the knowledge and skills related to his or her specific field, the overall scope of community and family health, and the ability to synthesize and use the professional literature in problem-solving situations.

Timing of the Examination:  The qualifying examination is administered when there is consensus between the doctoral program committee and the student regarding the student's preparation and readiness for the examination. A student is eligible to sit for the qualifying examination when the following minimum criteria have been met.

• The student has successfully completed all or most course work including tools of research;
• There is an agreement between the student and all members of the doctoral committee that the student is prepared to take the qualifying examination; and
• The student must be registered for a minimum of 2 credit hours for the semester in which the qualifying examination is taken.

 Candidacy: If passing, the student receives an official Letter of Candidacy from Graduate Studies upon approval of written notification of qualifying examination results. Doctoral students who have completed all degree requirements, and have been admitted to candidacy, are required to register for a minimum of 2 credit hours every semester following admission to candidacy, until the degree is granted.

Committee: The student is ready for the dissertation process after the successful completion of the qualifying examination.  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 it is approved by the Department Chair. 

The Office of Graduate Studies requires a minimum of four members; however, the major professor and the committee may decide that a five member committee is advantageous for the student.  In the four member committee, three members are from the academic discipline and there is at least one external member from outside the Department, School, or equivalent, hosting the doctoral program, but may be within the academic discipline.  Also the Chair and at least one other committee member must be ranked faculty members with an appointment in 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.  For a five member committee the same rules apply however three members are from the academic discipline and two members are external as described above.

Members of the doctoral committee must be credentialed by the College of Public Health, and the Chair must be of full graduate faculty status. It is the student's responsibility to verify that each committee member is credentialed (Note: Even though a faculty member may have "Professor" rank this does not ensure credentialing for doctoral committees).

Research Proposal: The proposal is presented in a formal meeting to the doctoral committee. This meeting is open to other faculty, other PhD students and other students.  At the discretion of the student and the Committee, guests of the student and the general public may be invited. The proposal date is scheduled by common agreement of the student and the doctoral committee members. This date is made known to and approved by the Department Chair. All doctoral students at USF are responsible for making the initial determination as to whether their research will involve human subjects, http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/officeresearch/humansubjects.html, and following all guidelines of the Graduate School.

The purpose of the dissertation proposal presentation is to provide students with the opportunity to present their research, and if appropriate, refine the methods, gather further information and suggestions from the audience at-large.  Following the proposal presentation, the committee members convene to make final determination of the appropriateness of the research being proposed and to deliberate recommendations for change in the proposal. This acceptance does not preclude the committee from making modifications in the data analysis plan or review of literature at a later date.

Oral Defense: The student's doctoral committee helps guide the student’s research and has final approval of the oral examination and the written product. Dissertation Guidelines appear on the Graduate School website. the vote of the Doctoral Dissertation Committee must be unanimous.  If unanimous agreement cannot be reached, the Doctoral Dissertation Defense Chair notifies the Department Chair (or appropriate equivalent) who will endeavor to resolve the dispute in an expedient fashion. The student will schedule an oral presentation and provide copies of the dissertation to the Committee and Department Chair within time limits required prior to the presentation. Successful completion of the oral examination is the culminating step of the doctoral program.