Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Healthcare Policy, Specialization in Health Ministry Bioethics

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Healthcare Policy, Specialization in Health Ministry Bioethics

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 policy 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 Policy with a specialization in Health Ministry Bioethics is a rigorous, interdisciplinary doctoral program designed for professionals seeking to lead at the intersection of public policy, ethical stewardship, and community health. The curriculum examines the complex regulatory, social, and structural environments that influence health outcomes, emphasizing the role of faith-based organizations in shaping equitable and compassionate policy frameworks. By blending advanced academic theory with practical research, students explore how ethical systems and public policy converge to impact vulnerable populations within a global society.

Students engage with sophisticated methodologies to analyze policy effectiveness, advocate for structural improvements, and develop ethical guidelines within healthcare settings. Through an emphasis on servant leadership, the program cultivates leaders who are prepared to bridge the gap between complex health policy challenges and the compassionate, ethical imperatives inherent in community-centered care. Graduates emerge as scholarly practitioners ready to contribute to the academic and professional discourse surrounding health policy and bioethical decision-making.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Healthcare Policy, Specialization in Health Ministry Bioethics is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based healthcare policy, specialization in health ministry bioethics 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 policy, specialization in health ministry bioethics-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

• 3
• RES730
• MGT775
• Strategic Planning in Health Ministries
• 3
• MGT735
• HPM760 — Global Health Policy and International Ministry: Analyzes healthcare challenges in a global context, focusing on cross-cultural and international policy impacts. Students evaluate the role of global health ministries. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BIO765 — Public Health Ethics and Social Policy: Investigates the tension between individual liberty and public safety during health crises. This course applies ethical theories to collective health decision-making. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES770 — Dissertation Proposal Development: A seminar dedicated to the drafting of the dissertation prospectus and IRB submission. Students refine their research questions and methodologies. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT775 — Strategic Planning in Health Ministries: Focuses on mission-driven strategic planning for faith-based healthcare organizations. Students engage in organizational assessment and performance evaluation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 4
• RES770
• HPM810
• Current Issues in Healthcare Law
• 3
• HPM710
• BIO815
• Ethical Leadership in Medical Innovation
• 3
• BIO740
• THE820
• Spiritual Formation for Leaders
• 4
• THE755
• RES800 — Dissertation Research I: Initial phase of independent dissertation research under faculty supervision. Students conduct data collection and preliminary analysis. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HPM810 — Current Issues in Healthcare Law: Provides an update on current litigation and legal precedents affecting faith-based hospitals and clinics. Students evaluate regulatory impacts on organizational mission. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BIO815 — Ethical Leadership in Medical Innovation: Discusses the leadership role in guiding medical innovation while maintaining ethical standards. Students explore the intersection of technology and patient advocacy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE820 — Spiritual Formation for Leaders: Designed to cultivate spiritual maturity and character among doctoral candidates. Focuses on contemplative practice and professional integrity in high-stakes roles. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research II and Defense

• 6
• RES800
• HPM860
• Public Health Advocacy and Communication
• 3
• HPM760
• BIO865
• Advanced Topics in Bioethical Dialogue
• 3
• BIO765
• RES870
• Final Research Seminar
• 2
• RES850
• RES850 — Dissertation Research II and Defense: Final phase of research completion and formal oral defense of the dissertation. This project represents the student's mastery of the program's objectives. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HPM860 — Public Health Advocacy and Communication: Trains students to translate complex research into effective communication strategies for policymakers. Focuses on media engagement and public testimony. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BIO865 — Advanced Topics in Bioethical Dialogue: A seminar for critical discussion on emerging bioethical questions in a rapidly changing technological society. Emphasizes pluralistic and theological discourse. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES870 — Final Research Seminar: A reflective course on the completion of doctoral research and future career integration. Students prepare for their scholarly professional roles. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culmination of the doctoral program, requiring candidates to conduct original, independent research that contributes significant knowledge to the field of health policy and bioethics. Students are tasked with identifying a complex, real-world policy challenge or ethical dilemma, performing a comprehensive literature review, and designing an empirical or theoretical study that proposes viable solutions. The dissertation process requires the synthesis of advanced research methods with a robust framework of ethical reasoning, reflecting the student's mastery of the discipline and their ability to address societal needs through informed, scholarly inquiry.
• Throughout the dissertation journey, candidates work closely with a faculty mentor to ensure that their work remains grounded in faith-based values such as servant leadership, moral integrity, and biblical stewardship. This final project serves as a demonstration of the student’s capacity for sustained academic labor, critical thinking, and the application of spiritual formation to complex professional environments. Upon successful defense of the dissertation, students demonstrate readiness to participate in professional discourse and institutional leadership as ethically grounded, informed professionals.

Career Opportunities

• Healthcare Policy Consultant for Faith-Based Organizations
• Director of Ethics in Nonprofit Health Systems
• Health Policy Analyst for Government Agencies
• Research Director for Community Health Advocacy Groups
• University Faculty in Healthcare Administration or Ethics
• Executive Leader of Global Health Ministry Programs
• Hospital Bioethics Committee Chairperson

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 Policy, Specialization in Health Ministry Bioethics
• 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 policy 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 | 3 | None
• THE705 | Foundations of Ethical Stewardship | 3 | None
• HPM710 | Healthcare Policy and Regulatory Systems | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BIO720 | Bioethics in Clinical Settings | 4 | THE705
• HPM725 | Health Equity and Community Engagement | 3 | HPM710
• RES730 | Quantitative Policy Analysis | 3 | RES701
• MGT735 | Organizational Leadership in Ministry | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BIO740 | Advanced Genetic and Biotechnological Ethics | 4 | BIO720
• HPM745 | Public Health Finance and Resource Allocation | 4 | HPM710
• RES750 | Qualitative Research and Inquiry | 3 | RES701
• THE755 | Theological Perspectives on Human Suffering | 3 | THE705
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• HPM760 | Global Health Policy and International Ministry | 4 | HPM725
• BIO765 | Public Health Ethics and Social Policy | 4 | BIO720
• RES770 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | RES730
• MGT775 | Strategic Planning in Health Ministries | 3 | MGT735
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES770
• HPM810 | Current Issues in Healthcare Law | 3 | HPM710
• BIO815 | Ethical Leadership in Medical Innovation | 3 | BIO740
• THE820 | Spiritual Formation for Leaders | 4 | THE755
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES850 | Dissertation Research II and Defense | 6 | RES800
• HPM860 | Public Health Advocacy and Communication | 3 | HPM760
• BIO865 | Advanced Topics in Bioethical Dialogue | 3 | BIO765
• RES870 | Final Research Seminar | 2 | RES850