Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Health Informatics, Specialization in Spirituality Healthcare Technology

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Health Informatics

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 health informatics 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 Health Informatics, Specialization in Spirituality Healthcare Technology, is a terminal research degree designed for scholars and practitioners seeking to integrate advanced informatics strategies with the ethical and humanistic dimensions of spirituality in health. This program investigates the nexus of data-driven technology, patient-centered spiritual care, and organizational stewardship within diverse health environments. Students will rigorously analyze how technological systems can support holistic health outcomes while maintaining the dignity and integrity of the individual.

The curriculum emphasizes high-level research methodology, ethical framework analysis, and the critical design of informatics architectures that respect the spiritual dimensions of patient experience. By engaging with both foundational informatics theory and the practical application of technology in healthcare settings, scholars will develop the capacity to lead interdisciplinary teams in the creation and management of innovative, tech-enabled, service-oriented care models.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Health Informatics is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based health informatics 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 health informatics-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 Proposal Development

• 4
• RES750, RES810
• INF850
• Emerging Technologies in Health
• 3
• INF730
• INF860
• Public Health Informatics and Community Outreach
• 3
• INF710
• PUB870
• Sociological Perspectives on Health and Well-being
• 3
• None
• RES840 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Development of the formal research proposal, including literature review, methodology planning, and ethical compliance review. Students finalize their research focus and study design. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• INF850 — Emerging Technologies in Health: Study of AI, machine learning, and mobile health solutions in the context of healthcare delivery. Critical analysis of future technological trends and societal impact. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• INF860 — Public Health Informatics and Community Outreach: Application of informatics in community-based healthcare and public health surveillance. Strategies for leveraging data to inform community health initiatives. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PUB870 — Sociological Perspectives on Health and Well-being: This course investigates the determinants of health and the societal structures that contribute to individual and population wellness. Topics include quality of life assessments, healthcare access, and the role of information technology in promoting social health. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 4
• RES840
• DIS910

Dissertation Research II

• 4
• DIS900
• DIS920

Dissertation Research III

• 4
• DIS910
• DIS930

Dissertation Defense and Submission

• 3
• DIS920
• DIS900 — Dissertation Research I: Independent research under the direction of the dissertation committee. Focus on data collection, preliminary analysis, and initial writing of the dissertation chapters. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS910 — Dissertation Research II: Continuation of research, with an emphasis on advanced data interpretation and the development of thematic research arguments. Regular review and feedback from dissertation advisors. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS920 — Dissertation Research III: Advanced synthesis of research findings and the drafting of the final dissertation manuscript. Preparation for the formal defense of the research. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS930 — Dissertation Defense and Submission: Final preparation and successful oral defense of the dissertation before the committee. Submission of the finalized document in accordance with university requirements. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating scholarly endeavor for the Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Health Informatics, requiring candidates to produce an original, high-level research project that contributes significantly to the field. Students will identify a complex problem within the intersection of informatics and spirituality in health, execute a rigorous research methodology, and present findings that offer transformative technological or systemic solutions. This project integrates biblical stewardship, ethical reasoning, and servant leadership to ensure that findings not only exhibit academic excellence but also foster the well-being of the communities served.
• The dissertation process is weighted at 15 credit hours and includes comprehensive examination, proposal defense, and final oral defense. Candidates work closely with a faculty mentor to ensure the research reflects both high technical competency and a clear focus on the integration of faith-informed character development in healthcare technology deployment. The final deliverable stands as a demonstration of the candidate's capacity to engage in peer-reviewed scholarly discourse while remaining grounded in a commitment to compassionate, tech-enabled service.

Career Opportunities

• Chief Information Officer in faith-based health systems
• Healthcare Informatics Research Scientist
• Academic Faculty in Health Informatics
• Digital Health Strategy Consultant for non-profit healthcare
• Healthcare Technology Ethics Director
• Spiritual Care Technology Integration Specialist
• Informatics Systems Analyst for humanitarian health organizations

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 Health Informatics
• 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 health informatics 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 | 3 | None
• INF710 | Foundations of Health Informatics Systems | 3 | None
• BUS720 | Resource Management and Technology Leadership | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• INF730 | Clinical Decision Support Systems | 3 | INF710
• ETH740 | Ethics in Healthcare Informatics | 3 | None
• RES750 | Statistical Analysis for Informatics | 4 | RES700
• INF760 | Database Management and Integration | 3 | INF710
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• SOC800 | Psychosocial Factors in Healthcare Technology | 4 | None
• RES810 | Qualitative Research in Health Informatics | 3 | RES700
• BUS820 | Organizational Management in Health Systems | 3 | THE720
• INF830 | Human-Computer Interaction in Care | 3 | INF710
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES840 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 4 | RES750, RES810
• INF850 | Emerging Technologies in Health | 3 | INF730
• INF860 | Public Health Informatics and Community Outreach | 3 | INF710
• PUB870 | Sociological Perspectives on Health and Well-being | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS900 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES840
• DIS910 | Dissertation Research II | 4 | DIS900
• DIS920 | Dissertation Research III | 4 | DIS910
• DIS930 | Dissertation Defense and Submission | 3 | DIS920
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• INF940 | Strategic Informatics Planning | 4 | None
• INF950 | Interdisciplinary Collaboration in Health Technology | 3 | None
• RES960 | Advanced Research Seminar | 4 | RES700
• LDR970 | Advanced Organizational Leadership and Governance | 4 | None