PhD Guidebook

Welcome to the PhD Program at the College of Public Health!

Navigating your PhD experience can be challenging at times. This guide walks you through the basic steps from your first semester to graduation. We hope you take time to experience the academic events and life offered at the College of Public Health and the University of South Florida.

Admission information can be found on our Graduate Admissions page.

The PhD is granted in recognition of high attainment in a specific field of knowledge. It is a research degree and is not conferred solely upon the earning of credit, the completion of courses, or the acquiring of a number of terms of residency, but also the successful completion of scholarly work. The length of residency and the requirements below are minimums; programs/colleges may elect to establish more rigorous requirements.

The degree will be granted after the student has shown proficiency and distinctive achievement in a specified field, has demonstrated the ability to do original, independent investigation, and has presented these findings with a high degree of literary skill in a dissertation. A major professor will be appointed as soon as possible but no later than the time the student has completed 50% of the program. The advisor will advise on any specific subject matter deficiencies and assist in the choice of a major professor and area of research.

The University of South Florida is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of College and Schools (SACS). The College of Public Health degree programs are accredited by the Council on Education in Public Health (CEPH).

PhD Guidelines

These PhD Guidelines present the USF Office of Graduate Studies policies. The College of Public Health may impose stricter guidelines, policies and procedures as determined by each department. It is the responsibility of the student to review and follow the specific guidelines with their department chairs, major professor and committee members.

Additional USF policies, not found in these guidelines, may be found at: http://www.grad.usf.edu/policies.php or at http://www.grad.usf.edu/catalog.php.

Steps to Success

PhD Health email account
Getting Started
Learn about /wiki/spaces/COPHHB/pages/16743073952 and where to find /wiki/spaces/COPHHB/pages/16766959661 information
Know deadlines and where to find Program of Study, /wiki/spaces/COPHHB/pages/16774597188, and frequently asked questions
Keep your degree on track and in good standing:
- Keep your degree status active (see continuous enrollment in Enrollment Requirements)
- Know your degree time limitations
- Maintain a 3.0 or better Grade Point Average (GPA) or you will be put on probation
/wiki/spaces/COPHHB/pages/16743073952 for courses
Advisors and Committees
Qualifying Exam and Dissertation
Learn about Student Organizations
Use your COPH Competencies Database record to update your competencies each term–the competencies are due at /wiki/spaces/COPHHB/pages/16760340862
Meet with your advisor the term before you graduate and review your status
Early during the semester you plan to graduate you should register for /wiki/spaces/COPHHB/pages/16760340862
Participate in the COPH graduation celebration, the USF Health graduation ceremony, and join our USF and COPH alumni communities

Getting Assistance

Academic and Student Affairs is here to help. You can reach us at (813) 974-6505 or call toll-free (888) USF-COPH or (888) 873-2674 and press 1. Via email contact cophdoctoral@health.usf.edu or view our staff directory to contact someone directly. We are located in the WELL (MDA) across the street (Holly) from the College of Public Health. You can also reach out to your /wiki/spaces/COPHHB/pages/16768469664

Printing

Users may print any single page of the document using the "Tools" menu in the upper right corner and exporting the page to a PDF copy. Users may print sections of this document by using the "Browse" menu in the upper left corner of the menu bar and selecting the "Space Operations" option. There they may select the "PDF Export" option and the customize the PDF to include any sections they wish.

Disclaimer

This version of the MPH Guidebook is the official version of the USF College of Public Health Guidebook for the MPH degree effective for the current catalog. This is a subset of and supplement to the USF Graduate Catalog. If there are conflicts between the two documents the USF Graduate Catalog prevails. The College of Public Health reserves the right to change its rules, courses, and requirements from time to time and to make all such changes applicable to all students, whether new or continuing, when in its sole judgment such changes are deemed necessary.

To view the complete USF Graduate Catalog, go to http://www.grad.usf.edu/catalog.php; overarching USF regulations and policies go to http://regulationspolicies.usf.edu/

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