Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Global Health, Specialization in Healthcare Development

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Global Health

Total program length

120 semester credit hours

Maximum approved transfer credit

Up to 40 semester credit hours

Minimum credits completed through the University after maximum transfer

80 semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Three to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, academic progress, and completion of the doctoral project

Advanced faith-based global health and specialization courses

30 credit hours

Leadership, administration, and professional practice

21 credit hours

Research methods and program evaluation

18 credit hours

Professional application and doctoral residency

15 credit hours

Advanced electives or concentration courses

12 credit hours

Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy

6 credit hours

Applied doctoral project and defense

18 credit hours

Total

120 semester credit hours

The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Global Health with a specialization in Healthcare Development is an advanced terminal degree designed for professionals seeking to lead complex initiatives in international health, community development, and policy implementation. The curriculum provides a rigorous framework for examining the structural, ethical, and organizational challenges inherent in global health systems. By synthesizing advanced research methodologies with specialized knowledge in healthcare infrastructure and resource management, the program equips scholars to address the social determinants of health from a position of scholarly expertise and ethical stewardship.

Students in this program engage in interdisciplinary inquiry that explores the intersection of public health practice and institutional organizational theory. The program emphasizes the development of systemic interventions that prioritize the holistic welfare of global communities. Through intensive research and collaborative learning, candidates are prepared to influence policy and practice within the international arena, operating with a commitment to integrity, servant leadership, and the responsible management of global health resources.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Global Health is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based global health knowledge, organizational leadership, ethical stewardship, program development, community-care systems, higher-education instruction, and evidence-informed professional practice.

Students may receive up to 40 semester credit hours of approved graduate or doctoral transfer credit. Accepted transfer credits are applied toward the 120-credit graduation requirement and may reduce the number of courses and the amount of time required to complete the degree. A student receiving the maximum transfer-credit award must complete at least 80 semester credit hours through the University.

The applied doctoral project must address a documented faith-based global health-support, educational, organizational, or community-care need. The project must include scholarly research, an implementation model, measurable outcomes, ethical safeguards, an evaluation plan, and a successful oral defense.

DOCTORAL TRANSFER-CREDIT POLICY: The Doctor of Education and Doctor of Philosophy programs each require 120 semester credit hours. Students may transfer up to 40 semester credit hours of eligible graduate or doctoral coursework toward either degree. Transfer credit is not automatically awarded. Each request is evaluated individually according to: The academic level of the previous coursework; The relevance of the coursework to the doctoral curriculum; Course content and learning outcomes; Credit-hour equivalency; Grades earned; The age of the coursework; Official institutional documentation; The University's residency and transfer-credit policies. Accepted transfer credit may reduce the number of courses and the amount of time required to complete the degree. Students awarded the maximum 40 transfer credits will have 80 semester credit hours remaining in the 120-credit doctoral program. Comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidacy, doctoral residency, the applied doctoral project, dissertation research, and the final oral defense must ordinarily be completed through the University. These requirements may not be satisfied through transfer credit unless expressly permitted under a published University policy.

Program Details

• Total Credits: 120
• Duration: 3 years
• Degree Level: Doctorate

Dissertation Research Phase I

• 6
• RES880
• RES880 — Proposal Writing and Defense Preparation: A focused course on finalizing the doctoral research proposal and preparing for the dissertation phase. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU890 — Health Education and Community Engagement: Strategies for community training and the development of health literacy programs. Focuses on sustainability through engagement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP895 — Integrative Seminar in Global Health Leadership: Synthesizes program themes into a cohesive model for leadership and organizational development. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS900 — Dissertation Research Phase I: Initial data collection and primary research stage under faculty supervision. Focuses on rigorous execution of the methodology. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research Phase II

• 6
• DIS900
• DIS920

Dissertation Finalization and Defense

• 6
• DIS910
• ETH930
• Advanced Professional Seminar
• 3
• All Core Courses
• MIN940

Capstone of Servant Leadership

• 4
• All Core Courses
• DIS910 — Dissertation Research Phase II: Continued research, synthesis of data, and drafting of the dissertation document. Includes peer review workshops. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS920 — Dissertation Finalization and Defense: The final stage of the doctoral program, resulting in the submission and defense of the original research project. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ETH930 — Advanced Professional Seminar: Final review of ethical standards and professional expectations for leaders in the field. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN940 — Capstone of Servant Leadership: Final reflection on applying faith-based service to professional global health practice. Focuses on sustaining long-term impact. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation represents the pinnacle of the doctoral experience, serving as an original research project that contributes significantly to the field of faith-based global health. Students must identify a specific, complex issue in healthcare development, formulate a robust research design, collect and analyze primary data, and defend their findings before a faculty committee. The scope of the work is expected to demonstrate a deep synthesis of scholarly rigor and practical application in international health settings.
• Beyond academic excellence, the dissertation must clearly integrate faith-based perspectives, detailing how the research project reflects ethical stewardship, servant leadership, and a Christian worldview. Students are expected to demonstrate how their research findings inform the professional practice of faith-informed service and community care. Successful completion requires 12 credits, culminating in a defense that verifies the student's mastery of the discipline and their readiness to serve as a leader in global health development.

Career Opportunities

• Global Health Policy Consultant
• International Healthcare Program Director
• Health Systems Development Advisor
• Academic Researcher in Global Health
• Nonprofit Health Administration Executive
• Global Community Health Strategist
• Public Health Curriculum Developer

Important Notices

• The program educates ethical professionals who demonstrate technical excellence, servant leadership, professional integrity, and a commitment to apply sound principles to advance faith-based organizations, strengthen communities, and contribute responsibly.
• HBIU is a lawfully operating nonpublic faith-based postsecondary institution that maintains its status under section 1005.06(1)(f), Florida Statutes. The University annually affirms its compliance with the requirements applicable to faith-based institutions in Florida through Commission for Independent Education.
• HBIU accreditation from QAHE (for quality assurance in pre-tertiary and higher education mechanisms). QAHE offers globally recognized accreditation and quality assurance for higher education, training providers, and professional institutions worldwide. Students should consider the nature and scope of this recognition in relation to their individual certification and professional goals.
• Transfer credit is evaluated individually based on course content, credit hours, grades, institutional documentation, program requirements, and applicable university policies. Although HBIU provides academically structured programs, no institution can guarantee that another college, university, employer, licensing board, or credential-evaluation service will accept its credits or credentials. Students are encouraged to obtain advance written confirmation from the intended receiving organization.
• The program develops academic knowledge and applied competencies for service in faith-based organizations, nonprofit institutions, community programs, and related professional environments. Some occupations associated with the subject area may be regulated by governmental or professional authorities. A degree from HBIU demonstrates completion of the University's academic requirements but does not, by itself, confer professional licensure or legal authority to perform regulated services.
• Where a program is related to an external certification, eligibility is determined exclusively by the applicable certifying organization. Certification bodies may establish additional requirements involving education, examinations, experience, background screening, continuing education, or membership. HBIU does not guarantee certification eligibility or examination approval unless a formal written agreement expressly provides otherwise.
• Career and occupational information is provided to help students make informed educational decisions. Employment outcomes depend on factors such as the graduate's experience, geographic location, professional qualifications, employer requirements, economic conditions, interviewing ability, and any applicable licensure or certification requirements. Completion of a program does not constitute a promise of employment, promotion, job placement, or a particular occupational title.
• This program is delivered through online instruction. Students must have access to the technology, equipment, internet service, software, and learning resources identified in the University's technology requirements.
• Internship or field-experience participation is subject to academic eligibility, site availability, supervisor approval, and the requirements of the participating organization. The University assists students with the placement process but cannot guarantee placement with a particular organization, supervisor, location, or schedule.
• Students are responsible for reviewing the catalog, understanding program requirements, providing accurate information, meeting academic and financial obligations, and verifying whether the program supports their intended educational or professional goals.
• Completion of a University program does not authorize a graduate to use a professional title that is protected or restricted by law. Graduates must use titles that accurately reflect their education, credentials, employment role, and current licensure or certification status.
• Degree abbreviation | Ed.D. in Faith-Based Global Health
• Total program length | 120 semester credit hours
• Maximum approved transfer credit | Up to 40 semester credit hours
• Minimum credits completed through the University after maximum transfer | 80 semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Three to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, academic progress, and completion of the doctoral project
• Advanced faith-based global health and specialization courses | 30 credit hours
• Leadership, administration, and professional practice | 21 credit hours
• Research methods and program evaluation | 18 credit hours
• Professional application and doctoral residency | 15 credit hours
• Advanced electives or concentration courses | 12 credit hours
• Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy | 6 credit hours
• Applied doctoral project and defense | 18 credit hours
• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methodology in Health | 3 | None
• GLO710 | Foundations of Global Health Systems | 3 | None
• THE720 | Ethics in Healthcare Development | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES730 | Statistical Analysis for Health Research | 3 | RES700
• MGT740 | Leadership in Global Health Organizations | 3 | None
• SOC750 | Social Determinants of Global Health | 3 | None
• GLO760 | Resource Management in Developing Nations | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Qualitative Research in Health Environments | 3 | RES700
• GLO810 | Public Health Policy Implementation | 3 | GLO710
• BUS820 | Strategic Planning for Health Development | 3 | MGT740
• PSY830 | Psychological Resilience for Global Health Practitioners | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES840 | Mixed-Methods Research Design | 4 | RES730, RES800
• GLO850 | International Health Regulations and Compliance | 3 | GLO810
• COM860 | Intercultural Communication in Global Health | 3 | None
• HIS870 | Historical Perspectives on Global Health Development | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES880 | Proposal Writing and Defense Preparation | 4 | RES840
• EDU890 | Health Education and Community Engagement | 3 | None
• CAP895 | Integrative Seminar in Global Health Leadership | 3 | All Core Courses
• DIS900 | Dissertation Research Phase I | 6 | RES880
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS910 | Dissertation Research Phase II | 6 | DIS900
• DIS920 | Dissertation Finalization and Defense | 6 | DIS910
• ETH930 | Advanced Professional Seminar | 3 | All Core Courses
• MIN940 | Capstone of Servant Leadership | 4 | All Core Courses