Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Healthcare Management

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Healthcare 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

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

Advanced faith-based healthcare management 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 Healthcare Management with a specialization in Health Ministry is an advanced doctoral program designed for professionals seeking to lead complex healthcare organizations with a commitment to stewardship and servant leadership. This curriculum integrates rigorous administrative theory, ethical decision-making frameworks, and organizational development strategies to address the multifaceted challenges within modern health systems. Students engage in advanced research and practice-based inquiries that synthesize management principles with the core values of service, justice, and community-centered care. Through a lens of ethical responsibility, the program cultivates leaders who are adept at balancing operational efficiency with the profound human needs present in diverse clinical and social environments. Graduates emerge prepared to design innovative models of care that prioritize the holistic well-being of individuals and the sustainability of nonprofit healthcare organizations.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Healthcare Management is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based healthcare management 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 healthcare management-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 Seminar

• 4
• RES801
• MGT840
• Advanced Human Resource Management
• 4
• None
• BUS850
• Legal and Regulatory Environments
• 3
• None
• COM860
• Professional Communication and Advocacy
• 3
• None
• RES802 — Dissertation Seminar: This seminar guides students through the development of the dissertation prospectus. The focus is on refining research questions and literature review strategies. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT840 — Advanced Human Resource Management: This course covers talent development, retention, and organizational culture within health ministries. Emphasis is placed on recruiting individuals who align with organizational mission and values. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS850 — Legal and Regulatory Environments: This course provides an analysis of the regulatory framework governing nonprofit healthcare delivery. Students examine risk management, compliance, and legal ethics. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM860 — Professional Communication and Advocacy: Students develop skills in public speaking, writing, and stakeholder engagement for healthcare advocacy. The course emphasizes articulating organizational impact to diverse audiences. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation I: Research Implementation

• 6
• RES802
• MGT900
• Collaborative Network Development
• 4
• None
• BUS910
• Advanced Nonprofit Operations
• 3
• None
• THE920
• Applied Ethics for Leaders
• 3
• THE705
• DIS890 — Dissertation I: Research Implementation: Students initiate their primary data collection and analysis under committee supervision. This phase requires rigorous adherence to ethical standards and research protocol. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT900 — Collaborative Network Development: This course focuses on building partnerships between healthcare organizations and community entities. Students learn strategies for inter-organizational cooperation and shared resource management. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS910 — Advanced Nonprofit Operations: This course covers workflow optimization, supply chain ethics, and service delivery efficiency in nonprofit settings. It emphasizes maximizing resources for community impact. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE920 — Applied Ethics for Leaders: This course serves as an integration of ethical, philosophical, and professional management theories. Students synthesize these components to address contemporary organizational crises. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation II: Analysis and Defense

• 6
• DIS890
• MGT950
• Leading Organizational Change
• 3
• MGT810
• RES960
• Advanced Quantitative Methods
• 4
• RES702
• MIN970
• Mentoring and Succession Planning
• 3
• None
• DIS891 — Dissertation II: Analysis and Defense: Students finalize their dissertation, complete the analysis, and defend their findings before the committee. The process concludes with the submission of the approved manuscript. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT950 — Leading Organizational Change: This course prepares leaders to manage change in complex environments while maintaining mission stability. It explores psychological and organizational perspectives on transitions. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES960 — Advanced Quantitative Methods: This course reviews advanced multivariate statistical modeling for healthcare research. Students practice complex data synthesis for policy recommendation and evaluation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN970 — Mentoring and Succession Planning: This course examines the role of leadership in developing the next generation of administrators and ministry leaders. It focuses on legacy building and succession strategy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The dissertation serves as the culminating academic achievement for the program, requiring students to conduct original, independent research that addresses a significant problem in healthcare management or ministry. This 12-credit requirement necessitates a rigorous investigation that adheres to high scholarly standards while demonstrating an application of servant leadership and ethical inquiry. Students are expected to produce a dissertation that advances the field’s understanding of organizational sustainability and community service. Throughout the research process, candidates must demonstrate how their work incorporates biblical stewardship and an ethical framework that honors the dignity of those served. This final project serves as a capstone of both academic competence and faith-informed character development, requiring a successful oral defense before a committee of scholars. The dissertation confirms the candidate's ability to apply theory to practice in ways that support the mission of faith-based nonprofit health organizations.

Career Opportunities

• Healthcare Ministry Executive
• Nonprofit Health System Administrator
• Director of Community Health Programs
• Health Policy Advocate
• Organizational Ethics Consultant
• Healthcare Strategic Planner
• Academic Researcher in Health Ministry
• Mission-Driven Operations Manager

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 Healthcare 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 | Three to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, academic progress, and completion of the doctoral project
• Advanced faith-based healthcare management 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
• RES701 | Advanced Research Methodology | 4 | None
• MGT710 | Foundations of Servant Leadership | 3 | None
• BUS720 | Ethics in Healthcare Management | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES702 | Quantitative Data Analysis | 4 | RES701
• MGT730 | Strategic Healthcare Administration | 4 | None
• PUB705 | Sociology of Health and Illness | 3 | None
• BUS740 | Financial Stewardship in Nonprofits | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES801 | Qualitative Inquiry | 4 | RES701
• MGT810 | Organizational Behavior and Development | 4 | None
• SOC820 | Community Health and Social Justice | 3 | None
• MGT830 | Nonprofit Organizational Leadership | 3 | MGT710
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES802 | Dissertation Seminar | 4 | RES801
• MGT840 | Advanced Human Resource Management | 4 | None
• BUS850 | Legal and Regulatory Environments | 3 | None
• COM860 | Professional Communication and Advocacy | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS890 | Dissertation I: Research Implementation | 6 | RES802
• MGT900 | Collaborative Network Development | 4 | None
• BUS910 | Advanced Nonprofit Operations | 3 | None
• THE920 | Applied Ethics for Leaders | 3 | THE705
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS891 | Dissertation II: Analysis and Defense | 6 | DIS890
• MGT950 | Leading Organizational Change | 3 | MGT810
• RES960 | Advanced Quantitative Methods | 4 | RES702
• MIN970 | Mentoring and Succession Planning | 3 | None