USF Gets Approval for Three New PhD Programs [12/08/2008]

by Judy Genshaft

The Florida Board of Governor approves programs in Government, History and Sociology

On Thursday, November 20, 2008 the Florida Board of Governors approved three new Ph.D. program at USF: Government, History, and Sociology. What's unusual is that these are linked programs, making them innovative and distinctive. Together they support integrated, interdisciplinary inquiry at the University of South Florida. The Board of Governors was impressed with the outstanding, interdisciplinary doctoral-level faculty, graduate assistants, and library resources already in place in each of these departments ready to support the delivery of the new Ph.D. programs.

Because of the hard work of the faculty, department chairs and dean, these linked programs are quite different from traditional, discipline-based programs. They focus on building sustainable healthy communities in a global context. Ranging from global security, to population growth and land-use development, to understanding the international financial crisis, the design of the programs ensures graduates will be uniquely qualified to meet the needs of a widening marketplace.

Provost Ralph Wilcox made a strong case for expanding USF’s doctoral-level programs as an investment in the future of the university, which is certainly no small feat given the state and national economic climate. There is no question that these kinds of new curricular ideas will build USF's strategic plan as the university of the future. Final approval for these programs will be in January.