Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Health Science Education

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Health Science Education

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

Four to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, research progress, and dissertation completion

Advanced faith-based health science education theory and specialization

30 credit hours

Research methods, statistics, and scholarly inquiry

24 credit hours

Professional leadership and higher-education teaching

15 credit hours

Advanced electives and concentration courses

18 credit hours

Scholarly writing and publication

9 credit hours

Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy

6 credit hours

Program Details

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

Dissertation research and defense

• 18 credit hours
• Total
• 120 semester credit hours
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Health Science Education is a terminal research degree designed for professionals seeking to advance the discourse between scientific inquiry and moral leadership within community-based organizations. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of interdisciplinary health paradigms with ethical stewardship to address complex wellness challenges. Students engage in rigorous scholarship that critiques traditional models while promoting compassionate, evidence-based practices that prioritize human dignity.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Health Science Education is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based health science education theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based health science education-support programs.
• 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 student's remaining coursework and anticipated completion time. A student receiving the maximum transfer-credit award must complete at least 80 semester credit hours through the University.
• The Ph.D. requires successful completion of all required coursework, comprehensive examinations, admission to doctoral candidacy, approval of a dissertation proposal, original scholarly research, submission of an approved written dissertation, 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.

Dissertation Proposal Development

• 4
• RES830
• EDU870
• Advanced Instructional Strategy
• 4
• EDU730
• LDR880
• Organizational Leadership and Professional Identity
• 3
• THE710
• SOC895
• Global Health Perspectives
• 3
• SOC720
• CAP890 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Students work with a committee to finalize their research proposal and literature review. This foundational stage secures the direction of the final project. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU870 — Advanced Instructional Strategy: Students develop advanced strategies for teaching complex health concepts in resource-limited environments. The focus is on adaptable, effective instruction. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LDR880 — Organizational Leadership and Professional Identity: This course examines the development of professional identity, ethical leadership frameworks, and self-regulation strategies within the health science sector. It emphasizes the integration of personal values with effective organizational management practices to foster professional growth. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC895 — Global Health Perspectives: Students analyze international health education challenges and apply comparative research to domestic settings. It promotes a global view of community wellness. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research and Defense

• 4
• CAP890
• EDU910
• Seminar in Educational Leadership
• 4
• None
• RES920
• Data Synthesis and Application
• 3
• CAP890
• MIN930
• Community Outreach Practicum
• 3
• None
• CAP900 — Dissertation Research and Defense: The final stage of the doctoral program involving independent research, writing, and the formal defense. Candidates demonstrate their scholarly capability and commitment. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU910 — Seminar in Educational Leadership: A seminar focusing on complex leadership challenges and the application of administrative theories in health education. Students engage in peer review and reflection. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES920 — Data Synthesis and Application: Students integrate their dissertation findings with established theories to propose practical community interventions. This course emphasizes the translation of research to service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN930 — Community Outreach Practicum: A field-based experience where students apply theoretical knowledge to a live, community-based health project. It bridges academia with community engagement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic experience for the PhD program, representing an original contribution to the field of health science education. Students conduct independent research that addresses a systemic issue within health-related organizations, applying advanced analytical techniques and scholarly rigor to produce a comprehensive manuscript that is defended before a faculty committee. The scope of the project requires that students identify a specific challenge, review existing literature, and propose a solution that reflects both academic mastery and professional competency.
• Beyond technical proficiency, the dissertation integrates faith-based perspectives by requiring candidates to analyze their research findings through the frameworks of servant leadership and biblical stewardship. Students are expected to demonstrate how their proposed solutions reflect an commitment to ethical reasoning and the holistic care of the community. This process ensures that graduates emerge with the capability to translate complex theoretical concepts into actionable, morally grounded initiatives that honor the dignity of the populations served.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Advanced Research Methodology | 3 | None
• EDU705 | Pedagogy of Health Sciences | 3 | None
• THE710 | Ethics in Health Care Leadership | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES715 | Quantitative Analysis in Health | 3 | RES701
• SOC720 | Community Health Systems | 3 | None
• EDU730 | Curriculum Development for Wellness | 3 | EDU705
• MGT740 | Stewardship in Health Administration | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES801 | Qualitative Inquiry Methods | 4 | RES701
• COU750 | Psychosocial Aspects of Health | 4 | None
• EDU810 | Instructional Technology in Health | 3 | EDU705
• HIS820 | History of Public Health Initiatives | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES830 | Program Evaluation and Design | 4 | RES715, RES801
• EDU840 | Advocacy and Policy in Education | 4 | None
• BIO850 | Advanced Topics in Health Science | 3 | None
• BUS860 | Strategic Leadership in Nonprofits | 3 | MGT740
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP890 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 4 | RES830
• EDU870 | Advanced Instructional Strategy | 4 | EDU730
• LDR880 | Organizational Leadership and Professional Identity | 3 | THE710
• SOC895 | Global Health Perspectives | 3 | SOC720
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP900 | Dissertation Research and Defense | 4 | CAP890
• EDU910 | Seminar in Educational Leadership | 4 | None
• RES920 | Data Synthesis and Application | 3 | CAP890
• MIN930 | Community Outreach Practicum | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Health Education Program Director
• Nonprofit Health Policy Consultant
• Community Wellness Coordinator
• Academic Researcher in Health Sciences
• Faith-Based Institutional Consultant
• Health Science Curriculum Developer
• Public Health Outreach Coordinator

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 | Ph.D. in Faith-Based Health Science Education
• 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 | Four to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, research progress, and dissertation completion
• Advanced faith-based health science education theory and specialization | 30 credit hours
• Research methods, statistics, and scholarly inquiry | 24 credit hours
• Professional leadership and higher-education teaching | 15 credit hours
• Advanced electives and concentration courses | 18 credit hours
• Scholarly writing and publication | 9 credit hours
• Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy | 6 credit hours