Plan your PhD program of study

A Doctor of Philosophy graduate will be able to:

 Scientific Knowledge and Theory

1. Critically evaluate and use scientific theories and frameworks relevant to public health.
2. Synthesize knowledge from a broad range of disciplines in public health.

Research

1. Critically analyze research literature.
2. Develop testable hypotheses for independent research.
3. Design and carry out original research that contributes to the knowledge base in public health.
4. Demonstrate mastery of methods of data collection and analysis.
5. Apply a set of ethical standards in the conduct and dissemination of research.
6. Work as an effective research team member.
7. Prepare scholarly publications and deliver oral presentations.
8. Be cognizant of appropriate funding sources for research.
9. Develop grant writing skills.

Teaching

1. Demonstrate ability to teach a university level course using current pedagogical techniques.
2. Demonstrate communication skills that facilitate learning by others in formal and informal settings.

Your Faculty Advisor is your main advisor throughout your PhD experience. Profiles of each faculty member and their research and practice interests can be found on the COPH website. Look under Faculty and Staff on each department's home page. You can find the areas of specialization, and if you click on individual faculty, you will find more detailed information.

To change advisors see the Archivum Change Of Advisor process.

The Major Professor serves as the student's advisor and mentor. Students should confer with the department to confirm the internal process and timeline for the selection and appointment of the Major Professor. The student must identify a major professor and receive that person's agreement to serve as major professor. The selection of the Major Professor must be approved and appointed by the department as soon as possible, but no later than the time the student has completed 50% of the program. Students must have a major professor in order to maintain Satisfactory Academic Progress. If a Major Professor cannot be identified or in the event a Major Professor is unable or unwilling to continue serving on the student's committee, the student is responsible for finding another Major Professor. Students who are unable to find a replacement Major Professor should confer with the Program Director for available options. If no other options exist the student may be requested to voluntarily withdraw from the program or may be honorably withdrawn in good academic standing. The student and Major Professor should plan a program of study which, when completed, will satisfy the degree requirements specified. A copy of this program, signed by the student and professor, should be maintained in the student's department file.

Major Professors must meet the following requirements:

• Be active in scholarly pursuits as evidenced by at least one refereed publication in the last three years.
• Be graduate faculty, as defined by the University, from the student's academic area. Faculty who do not meet this definition may serve as Co-Major Professor with faculty who do.
• Be graduate faculty, as defined by the University, from the student’s academic area. Faculty who do not meet this definition may serve as Co-Major Professor.
• Have been approved by the Department Chair (or equivalent) to serve as a Major Professor or Co-Major Professor.

The membership of graduate faculty will be based upon criteria developed within the appropriate program or department and approved at the college level. These criteria must be forwarded to the Dean of the Office of Graduate Studies.

In the event a Major Professor leaves the University (i.e. for an appointment at another university, due to retirement, etc.) and the Major Professor is willing to continue serving on the student's committee, the Major Professor then becomes a Co-Major Professor on the committee and another faculty is appointed as the other Co-Major Professor. It is important that one of the Co-Major Professors be accessible on the university campus for the student to make satisfactory progress on the thesis/dissertation. In the event a Major Professor is on temporary leave (e.g. sabbatical, research, etc.); the Major Professor shall coordinate with the Program Director to facilitate the needs of the student. In some instances a student may choose to have two professors serve as Major Professor. In this situation the faculty are approved as “Co-Major Professors” and jointly serve in that role. Consequently both faculty must sign approval on paperwork pertaining to the student's processing (i.e. committee form, change of committee form, admission to candidacy, etc.)

(Co-)Major Professor(s) of the Graduate Student Supervisory Committee Responsibilities
Available on the Office of Graduate Studies Website: http://www.grad.usf.edu/policies.php

Some Colleges have a Program Committee comprised of graduate faculty, who advise the student from admission up to doctoral candidacy, when the formal Doctoral Dissertation Committee is formed.  As soon as an area of research is determined and a major professor is selected, a Doctoral Dissertation Committee will be appointed and approved for the student. The Department will request approval of the Doctoral Committee from the Dean of the College and, as needed, the Dean of the Office of Graduate Studies. The Doctoral Committee will approve the student's course of study and plan for research, supervise the research, grade the written comprehensive qualifying examination, read and approve the dissertation for content and format, and conduct the dissertation defense.

For additional Dissertation information please view our Dissertation Page

DISSERTATION COMMITTEE FORM:
To get your committee approved, you must submit the form located here: http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/pdf/PhD_Committee_Form_2006.doc
If you change your committee after this form is submitted, you need to do that on this form: http://health.usf.edu/publichealth/pdf/PhD_Change_of_Committee_Form_2006.doc