Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Healthcare Administration Ethics, Management

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Healthcare Administration Ethics, Management

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 healthcare administration ethics and management 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 PhD in Faith-Based Healthcare Administration Ethics and Management is a rigorous, advanced research-oriented program designed to cultivate scholarly expertise at the intersection of complex healthcare delivery systems and organizational ethics. Students engage in deep inquiry regarding the management of healthcare institutions, focusing on the nuanced application of moral frameworks and professional responsibility within diverse community settings. By blending evidence-based administrative strategies with advanced philosophical and ethical reasoning, the program prepares graduates to lead with integrity, foresight, and a commitment to institutional stewardship. The curriculum emphasizes the synthesis of organizational theory, strategic management, and the ethical imperatives inherent in health-related service delivery. Scholars are challenged to conduct original research that addresses contemporary administrative dilemmas, contributing meaningful insights to the academic discourse surrounding healthcare systems. Through this program, students develop the analytical and leadership competencies necessary to influence organizational culture and policy at the highest levels.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Healthcare Administration Ethics, Management is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based healthcare administration ethics, management theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based healthcare administration ethics, management-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 Research I

• 3
• RES835
• MGT855
• Global Perspectives in Health Administration
• 3
• None
• BUS860
• Strategic Innovation in Healthcare
• 3
• None
• RES865

Dissertation Research II

• 4
• RES850
• RES850 — Dissertation Research I: Initial phases of data collection and primary research for the dissertation. Students work closely with chairs to implement their research designs. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT855 — Global Perspectives in Health Administration: Investigation of international healthcare challenges and the role of global health missions. Comparative analyses of governance are discussed. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS860 — Strategic Innovation in Healthcare: Study of innovative models for healthcare delivery that focus on accessibility and ethical impact. Evaluation of change management is key. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES865 — Dissertation Research II: Continued data collection and analysis under the supervision of the dissertation committee. Drafting of the initial research findings occurs here. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research III

• 3
• RES865
• RES885

Dissertation Defense

• 3
• RES880
• MGT890
• Professionalism and Ethical Advocacy
• 3
• None
• RES895

Dissertation Final Submission

• 4
• RES885
• RES880 — Dissertation Research III: Final analysis of data and synthesis of scholarly findings into the dissertation document. Preparation for the formal defense is undertaken. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES885 — Dissertation Defense: The oral presentation and defense of the completed dissertation research before a committee. This signifies the completion of the doctoral degree. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT890 — Professionalism and Ethical Advocacy: Capstone seminar focusing on the professional responsibilities of healthcare administrators in public life. Emphasis is placed on policy advocacy and ethics. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES895 — Dissertation Final Submission: Final formatting and archival submission of the dissertation. Ensuring compliance with all scholarly, ethical, and university requirements. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The dissertation serves as the capstone of the PhD program, representing the culmination of rigorous academic inquiry and original research. Candidates are expected to identify a significant problem within the field of healthcare administration and apply advanced methodological techniques to derive evidence-based solutions. This 12-credit requirement necessitates a comprehensive literature review, the collection and analysis of data, and the formal defense of the work before a faculty committee. The dissertation process requires students to demonstrate both technical mastery of their chosen specialty and the capacity for high-level critical thinking.
• Beyond technical proficiency, the dissertation integrates the student’s academic work with their faith-informed perspective, requiring a reflection on how the research findings uphold the dignity of the human person and the principle of stewardship. Students must demonstrate how their findings align with ethical organizational practices and contribute to the flourishing of the communities they serve. This integration ensures that the doctoral experience is not merely an intellectual exercise, but a formative journey that shapes the scholar’s character and commitment to service-oriented, faith-informed leadership within the healthcare sector.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methodology | 3 | None
• MGT705 | Ethical Leadership in Healthcare | 3 | None
• BUS710 | Organizational Stewardship | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES715 | Applied Statistics for Health Administration | 3 | RES700
• THE720 | Ethics and Governance in Healthcare | 3 | MGT705
• MGT725 | Strategic Healthcare Operations | 3 | None
• BUS730 | Health Systems Policy and Reform | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Qualitative Research Inquiry | 3 | RES715
• MGT805 | Servant Leadership Theory | 3 | MGT705
• BUS810 | Financial Integrity and Non-profit Management | 3 | BUS710
• LAW815 | Advanced Professional Standards and Regulatory Ethics | 4 | THE720
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES820 | Advanced Dissertation Seminar | 3 | RES800
• MGT825 | Human Capital and Organizational Behavior | 3 | None
• BUS830 | Health Marketing and Community Engagement | 3 | None
• RES835 | Research Design and Proposal Development | 4 | RES820
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES850 | Dissertation Research I | 3 | RES835
• MGT855 | Global Perspectives in Health Administration | 3 | None
• BUS860 | Strategic Innovation in Healthcare | 3 | None
• RES865 | Dissertation Research II | 4 | RES850
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES880 | Dissertation Research III | 3 | RES865
• RES885 | Dissertation Defense | 3 | RES880
• MGT890 | Professionalism and Ethical Advocacy | 3 | None
• RES895 | Dissertation Final Submission | 4 | RES885

Career Opportunities

• Chief Executive Officer in non-profit health systems
• Director of Ethics and Compliance in healthcare organizations
• Healthcare Policy Advisor for faith-based foundations
• Academic Faculty in Healthcare Administration programs
• Health Systems Administrator for mission-driven agencies
• Consultant for ethical organizational governance
• Strategic Planning Director for humanitarian health initiatives

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 Healthcare Administration Ethics, Management
• 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 healthcare administration ethics and management 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