Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Healthcare Administration Specialization in Health Informatics

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Healthcare Administration, 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

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

Advanced faith-based healthcare administration and health informatics 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 Ph.D. in Healthcare Administration with minors in Health Informatics and Health Ministry is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills to lead in the healthcare sector. Over the course of four years, students will engage in rigorous research methodology, explore healthcare policies, and develop expertise in health informatics tools that enhance patient care and operational efficiency. With a unique combination of health ministry elements, the program prepares graduates to address the spiritual and ethical dimensions of healthcare. Graduates will be prepared for leadership roles in various healthcare settings, fostering innovation and improving healthcare delivery. The program emphasizes critical thinking, analytical skills, and the application of technology in healthcare, thereby providing immense value in shaping the future of health services management.
• ## Ph.D. in Healthcare Administration
• **Dual Minor:** Health Informatics **and** Health Ministry
• *(All courses are 3 credit hours each. Dissertation = 30 credit hours total, listed as ten 3-credit doctoral research blocks.)*
• ---
• ### A) Healthcare Administration Core (36 CH)
• * **PHHA 701** Healthcare Systems, Organization & Administration (3)
• * **PHHA 702** Healthcare Economics & Financial Management (3)
• * **PHHA 703** Strategic Management in Healthcare Organizations (3)
• * **PHHA 704** Healthcare Law, Regulation & Compliance (3)
• * **PHHA 705** Healthcare Policy Analysis & Reform (3)
• * **PHHA 706** Quality Improvement & Patient Safety (3)
• * **PHHA 707** Healthcare Operations & Performance Management (3)
• * **PHHA 708** Human Resources & Workforce Leadership in Healthcare (3)
• * **PHHA 709** Population Health Management & Health Equity (3)
• * **PHHA 710** Ethics & Governance in Healthcare Administration (3)
• * **PHHA 711** Health Services Marketing & Consumer Engagement (3)
• * **PHHA 712** Risk Management & Healthcare Liability (3)
• ### B) Doctoral Research Core (18 CH)
• * **PHHA 721** Doctoral Research Design in Health Services (3)
• * **PHHA 722** Biostatistics for Health Administrators I (3)
• * **PHHA 723** Biostatistics for Health Administrators II (3)
• * **PHHA 724** Epidemiology for Health Systems Leadership (3)
• * **PHHA 725** Program Evaluation in Health & Human Services (3)
• * **PHHA 726** Scholarly Writing, Publishing & Grant Development (3)
• ### C) Healthcare Administration Concentration Electives (6 CH) *(choose any 2)*
• * **PHHA 731** Advanced Healthcare Finance & Reimbursement Strategy (3)
• * **PHHA 732** Value-Based Care & Payment Innovation (3)
• * **PHHA 733** Long-Term Care & Post-Acute Administration (3)
• * **PHHA 734** Hospital & Health System Administration (3)
• * **PHHA 735** Global Health Systems & Comparative Policy (3)
• * **PHHA 736** Health Crisis, Emergency & Disaster Management (3)
• ## D) Minor 1: Health Informatics (15 CH)
• * **HINF 801** Foundations of Health Informatics (3)
• * **HINF 802** Electronic Health Records, Interoperability & Standards (3)
• * **HINF 803** Clinical Decision Support & Workflow Informatics (3)
• * **HINF 804** Healthcare Data Analytics & Visualization (3)
• * **HINF 805** Health Information Privacy, Security & Cyber Risk (3)
• ## E) Minor 2: Health Ministry (15 CH)
• * **HMIN 811** Foundations of Health Ministry & Chaplaincy in Care Settings (3)
• * **HMIN 812** Spiritual Assessment, Care Planning & Documentation (3)
• * **HMIN 813** Trauma-Informed Pastoral Care in Healthcare (3)
• * **HMIN 814** Ethics, Compassion Care & End-of-Life Ministry (3)
• * **HMIN 815** Community Health Outreach & Faith-Based Health Promotion (3)
• ## F) Dissertation Research & Defense (30 CH)
• * **PHHA 901** Dissertation Research I (3)
• * **PHHA 902** Dissertation Research II (3)
• * **PHHA 903** Dissertation Research III (3)
• * **PHHA 904** Dissertation Research IV (3)
• * **PHHA 905** Dissertation Research V (3)
• * **PHHA 906** Dissertation Research VI (3)
• * **PHHA 907** Dissertation Research VII (3)
• * **PHHA 908** Dissertation Research VIII (3)
• * **PHHA 909** Dissertation Writing & Pre-Defense Review (3)
• * **PHHA 910** Dissertation Defense & Final Submission (3)
• ### Program Credit Summary
• * Healthcare Administration Core: **36 CH**
• * Doctoral Research Core: **18 CH**
• * Major Electives: **6 CH**
• * Minor (Health Informatics): **15 CH**
• * Minor (Health Ministry): **15 CH**
• * Dissertation: **30 CH**
• **Total: 120 Credit Hours**
• ## PHHA 901 – Dissertation Research I (3 CH)
• ### *Orientation, Topic Selection & Problem Identification*
• **Primary Course Materials Used**
• * **Doctoral Research Handbook (University-Issued PDF)**
• – Covers dissertation expectations, committee roles, timelines
• * **Dissertation Topic Development Workbook (PDF)**
• – Problem statements, purpose statements, significance sections
• **Core Textbooks (Students Use Continuously)**
• * *The Dissertation Journey* (Bloomberg & Volpe)
• * *Research Design* (Creswell & Creswell)
• **Scholarly Tools**
• * Google Scholar – literature scanning
• * Zotero or Mendeley
• **Deliverables**
• * Approved dissertation topic
• * Initial problem statement
• * Preliminary annotated bibliography
• ---
• ## PHHA 902 – Dissertation Research II (3 CH)
• ### *Literature Review I: Conceptual & Theoretical Framework*
• **Primary Course Materials**
• * **Doctoral Writing Style Guide (APA-Aligned PDF)**
• * **Literature Review Matrix Template (Excel/PDF)**
• **Core Textbooks**
• * *Doing a Literature Review in Health and Social Care* – Aveyard
• * *The SAGE Handbook of Qualitative Research* (selected chapters)
• **Databases Used**
• * PubMed Central
• * ERIC
• **Deliverables**
• * Chapter 2 draft (Theoretical framework)
• * 30–50 peer-reviewed sources
• ---
• ## PHHA 903 – Dissertation Research III (3 CH)
• ### *Literature Review II: Empirical Studies*
• **Primary Course Materials**
• * **Systematic Review Guide (PRISMA-Aligned PDF)**
• * **Evidence Synthesis Worksheets**
• **Core Textbooks**
• * *Systematic Approaches to a Successful Literature Review* – Booth et al.
• * *Evidence-Based Healthcare* – Gray et al.
• **Tools**
• * PRISMA checklist
• * NVivo (qualitative coding) or SPSS (quantitative)
• **Deliverables**
• * Completed Chapter 2 (Empirical review)
• * Gap analysis & justification
• ## PHHA 904 – Dissertation Research IV (3 CH)
• ### *Methodology Design*
• **Primary Course Materials**
• * **Doctoral Methods Handbook (Quantitative / Qualitative / Mixed)**
• * **IRB Ethics & Compliance Training Modules (PDF)**
• **Core Textbooks**
• * *Qualitative Inquiry and Research Design* – Creswell
• * *Applied Statistics for Health Administration* – Katz et al.
• **Compliance Tools**
• * Institutional Review Board guidelines
• * CITI Program
• **Deliverables**
• * Chapter 3 draft (Methodology)
• * IRB submission or exemption approval
• ## PHHA 905 – Dissertation Research V (3 CH)
• ### *Data Collection*
• **Primary Course Materials**
• * **Data Collection Protocol Manual (PDF)**
• * **Survey / Interview Instrument Design Guide**
• **Core Textbooks**
• * *Designing Clinical Research* – Hulley et al.
• * *Survey Research Methods* – Fowler
• **Tools**
• * Qualtrics / Google Forms
• * Audio transcription tools
• * Secure data storage protocols
• **Deliverables**
• * Collected raw data
• * Validated instruments
• ## PHHA 906 – Dissertation Research VI (3 CH)
• ### *Data Analysis*
• **Primary Course Materials**
• * **Statistical Analysis Guide (SPSS/R/Python PDF)**
• * **Qualitative Coding Manual (NVivo/ATLAS.ti)**
• **Core Textbooks**
• * *Statistics for Health Care Research* – Munro
• * *Qualitative Data Analysis* – Miles, Huberman & Saldaña
• **Tools**
• * SPSS / R / NVivo
• * APA reporting standards
• **Deliverables**
• * Chapter 4 draft (Results)
• * Tables, figures, coded themes
• ## PHHA 907 – Dissertation Research VII (3 CH)
• ### *Discussion & Implications*
• **Primary Course Materials**
• * **Discussion Chapter Writing Guide (PDF)**
• * **Policy & Practice Translation Framework**
• **Core Textbooks**
• * *Writing the Doctoral Dissertation* – Joyner et al.
• * *From Research to Practice in Healthcare Administration* – Selected readings
• **Deliverables**
• * Chapter 5 draft (Discussion)
• * Implications for policy, leadership, and practice
• ---
• ## PHHA 908 – Dissertation Research VIII (3 CH)
• ### *Final Manuscript & Defense Preparation*
• **Primary Course Materials**
• * **Final Dissertation Formatting Manual (University PDF)**
• * **Defense Presentation Template (PowerPoint)**
• **Core References**
• * APA 7th Edition Manual
• * University-issued Dissertation Checklist
• **Submission Platforms**
• * ProQuest
• * University digital repository
• **Deliverables**
• * Final approved dissertation
• * Oral defense & submission
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Healthcare Administration, Health Informatics is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based healthcare administration and health informatics theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based healthcare administration and health informatics-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
• None
• PHHA 902

Dissertation Research II

• 3

Dissertation Research I or equivalent

• PHHA 903

Dissertation Research III

• 3
• Completion of PHHA 902: Dissertation Research II
• PHHA 904

Dissertation Research IV

• 3
• Completion of Dissertation Research III or equivalent course
• PHHA 905

Dissertation Research V

• 3
• Completion of prior dissertation research courses in the program
• PHHA 906

Dissertation Research VI

• 3
• Successful completion of Doctoral-level research courses
• HMIN 814 — Ethics, Compassion Care & End-of-Life Ministry: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HMIN 815 — Community Health Outreach & Faith-Based Health Promotion: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHHA 901 — Dissertation Research I: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHHA 902 — Dissertation Research II: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHHA 903 — Dissertation Research III: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHHA 904 — Dissertation Research IV: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHHA 905 — Dissertation Research V: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHHA 906 — Dissertation Research VI: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research VII

• 3
• None
• PHHA 908

Dissertation Research VIII

• 3
• None
• PHHA 909

Dissertation Writing & Pre-Defense Review

• 3
• Completion of core coursework in the PhD program
• PHHA 910

Dissertation Defense & Final Submission

• 3
• Completion of all coursework and dissertation proposal approval
• PHHA 907 — Dissertation Research VII: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHHA 908 — Dissertation Research VIII: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHHA 909 — Dissertation Writing & Pre-Defense Review: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHHA 910 — Dissertation Defense & Final Submission: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHHA 701 | Healthcare Systems, Organization & Administration | 3 | None
• PHHA 702 | Healthcare Economics & Financial Management | 3 | None
• PHHA 703 | Strategic Management in Healthcare Organizations | 3 | None
• PHHA 704 | Healthcare Law, Regulation & Compliance | 3 | None
• PHHA 705 | Healthcare Policy Analysis & Reform | 3 | None
• PHHA 706 | Quality Improvement & Patient Safety | 3 | None
• PHHA 707 | Healthcare Operations & Performance Management | 3 | None
• PHHA 708 | Human Resources & Workforce Leadership in Healthcare | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHHA 709 | Population Health Management & Health Equity | 3 | None
• PHHA 710 | Ethics & Governance in Healthcare Administration | 3 | None
• PHHA 711 | Health Services Marketing & Consumer Engagement | 3 | None
• PHHA 712 | Risk Management & Healthcare Liability | 3 | None
• PHHA 721 | Doctoral Research Design in Health Services | 3 | None
• PHHA 722 | Biostatistics for Health Administrators I | 3 | None
• PHHA 723 | Biostatistics for Health Administrators II | 3 | None
• PHHA 724 | Epidemiology for Health Systems Leadership | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHHA 725 | Program Evaluation in Health & Human Services | 3 | None
• PHHA 726 | Scholarly Writing, Publishing & Grant Development | 3 | None
• PHHA 731 | Advanced Healthcare Finance & Reimbursement Strategy | 3 | None
• PHHA 732 | Value-Based Care & Payment Innovation | 3 | None
• PHHA 733 | Long-Term Care & Post-Acute Administration | 3 | None
• PHHA 734 | Hospital & Health System Administration | 3 | None
• PHHA 735 | Global Health Systems & Comparative Policy | 3 | None
• PHHA 736 | Health Crisis, Emergency & Disaster Management | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• HINF 801 | Foundations of Health Informatics | 3 | None
• HINF 802 | Electronic Health Records, Interoperability & Standards | 3 | None
• HINF 803 | Clinical Decision Support & Workflow Informatics | 3 | None
• HINF 804 | Healthcare Data Analytics & Visualization | 3 | None
• HINF 805 | Health Information Privacy, Security & Cyber Risk | 3 | None
• HMIN 811 | Foundations of Health Ministry & Chaplaincy in Care Settings | 3 | None
• HMIN 812 | Spiritual Assessment, Care Planning & Documentation | 3 | None
• HMIN 813 | Trauma-Informed Pastoral Care in Healthcare | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• HMIN 814 | Ethics, Compassion Care & End-of-Life Ministry | 3 | None
• HMIN 815 | Community Health Outreach & Faith-Based Health Promotion | 3 | None
• PHHA 901 | Dissertation Research I | 3 | None
• PHHA 902 | Dissertation Research II | 3 | Dissertation Research I or equivalent
• PHHA 903 | Dissertation Research III | 3 | Completion of PHHA 902: Dissertation Research II
• PHHA 904 | Dissertation Research IV | 3 | Completion of Dissertation Research III or equivalent course
• PHHA 905 | Dissertation Research V | 3 | Completion of prior dissertation research courses in the program
• PHHA 906 | Dissertation Research VI | 3 | Successful completion of Doctoral-level research courses
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHHA 907 | Dissertation Research VII | 3 | None
• PHHA 908 | Dissertation Research VIII | 3 | None
• PHHA 909 | Dissertation Writing & Pre-Defense Review | 3 | Completion of core coursework in the PhD program
• PHHA 910 | Dissertation Defense & Final Submission | 3 | Completion of all coursework and dissertation proposal approval

Career Opportunities

• Healthcare Administrator
• Health Informatics Specialist
• Director of Health Services
• Healthcare Consultant
• Policy Analyst
• Chief Executive Officer of a healthcare organization
• Health Ministry Director

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, 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 | Four to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, research progress, and dissertation completion
• Advanced faith-based healthcare administration and health informatics 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