Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Healthcare, Specialization in Christian Healthcare Ethics

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Healthcare

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 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 with a specialization in Christian Healthcare Ethics is a rigorous doctoral program designed to cultivate intellectual depth and moral clarity in the field of health science. Students explore the intersection of theological principles and contemporary ethical challenges within complex health systems, fostering a scholarly environment that values both empirical research and philosophical inquiry. The curriculum emphasizes the application of ethical frameworks to healthcare administration, policy development, and organizational behavior, grounded in a commitment to human dignity and stewardship.

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

• 4
• RES820
• CHR860
• Ethics of Public Health Policy
• 4
• CHR701
• MGT870
• Strategy and Mission Alignment
• 3
• MGT730
• COM880
• Professional Communication and Influence
• 3
• None
• RES850 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Students work closely with faculty mentors to finalize their research topic, literature review, and methodology for the dissertation project. Completion of a formal proposal for review is required. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR860 — Ethics of Public Health Policy: Analyzes the role of government and institutional policies in public health, focusing on the tension between individual liberty and collective welfare. Students apply ethical principles to real-world policy case studies. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT870 — Strategy and Mission Alignment: Focuses on strategic planning processes that ensure healthcare organizations remain faithful to their stated missions and values. Students develop frameworks for mission-centered decision-making. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM880 — Professional Communication and Influence: Develops the communication skills necessary for influencing policy, leading interdisciplinary teams, and communicating research findings to diverse stakeholders. Emphasis is on clarity, credibility, and ethical advocacy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 4
• RES850
• RES905

Dissertation Research II

• 4
• RES900
• CHR910
• Advanced Seminar in Applied Ethics
• 3
• CHR800
• BUS920
• Corporate Social Responsibility
• 3
• BUS702
• RES900 — Dissertation Research I: Initiation of the primary data collection and research phase of the dissertation. Students demonstrate consistent progress under the guidance of their dissertation committee. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES905 — Dissertation Research II: Continuation of research, focused on the analysis of findings and initial drafting of the final manuscript. Regular reporting and feedback cycles with committee chairs are required. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR910 — Advanced Seminar in Applied Ethics: An interdisciplinary seminar where students integrate their research with broader societal and spiritual concerns. Emphasis is on the synthesis of personal character and professional practice. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS920 — Corporate Social Responsibility: Examines the role of healthcare organizations in promoting broader social goods beyond clinical care. Focus is placed on institutional impact on public well-being and community health. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Completion

• 4
• RES905
• CHR960
• Ethics in Global Healthcare Contexts
• 3
• CHR701
• MGT970
• Change Management and Institutional Renewal
• 3
• MGT730
• RES980
• Scholarly Publishing and Dissemination
• 4
• RES950
• RES950 — Dissertation Completion: Final stage of the dissertation process, involving the completion of the written document and the final oral defense. The dissertation serves as the capstone of the program, requiring rigorous academic and ethical synthesis. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR960 — Ethics in Global Healthcare Contexts: A comparative analysis of global health disparities and the ethical challenges inherent in international healthcare development. Focus is on cultural competency and sustainable aid models. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT970 — Change Management and Institutional Renewal: Covers strategies for guiding healthcare organizations through periods of transition while maintaining institutional identity and mission. Students create plans for sustainable improvement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES980 — Scholarly Publishing and Dissemination: Focuses on the final steps of preparing dissertation research for publication in academic journals and professional forums. Students refine their ability to articulate complex concepts for professional peer review. 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, requiring students to conduct an original, independent research project that contributes significantly to the field of Christian healthcare ethics. Students are expected to identify a specific, complex ethical issue in healthcare, perform a rigorous review of literature, apply methodological rigor to collect and analyze data, and synthesize their findings into a comprehensive doctoral document. The scope of the work must demonstrate an advanced ability to integrate biblical stewardship and ethical reasoning within professional health settings. Deliverables include a formal proposal, IRB approval, the completed dissertation, and a successful oral defense before a faculty committee. This project reflects the student's mastery of the discipline and their ability to serve as a catalyst for ethical integrity within the healthcare landscape.

Career Opportunities

• Healthcare Ethicist
• Director of Mission Integration
• Health Policy Analyst
• Nonprofit Healthcare Administrator
• Bioethics Consultant
• Health Science Educator
• Director of Community Health Programs

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
• 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 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
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methodology | 3 | None
• CHR701 | Foundations of Christian Ethics | 3 | None
• BUS702 | Leadership and Stewardship | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BIO710 | Clinical Ethics and Human Dignity | 4 | CHR701
• RES715 | Data Analysis for Health Policy | 3 | RES700
• CHR720 | Biblical Perspectives on Human Suffering | 3 | CHR701
• MGT730 | Organizational Behavior in Health Systems | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CHR800 | Bioethical Dilemmas | 4 | CHR701
• SOC810 | Community Health and Social Justice | 3 | None
• RES820 | Advanced Qualitative Research | 4 | RES700
• BUS830 | Health Systems Financial Ethics | 3 | BUS702
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES850 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 4 | RES820
• CHR860 | Ethics of Public Health Policy | 4 | CHR701
• MGT870 | Strategy and Mission Alignment | 3 | MGT730
• COM880 | Professional Communication and Influence | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES900 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES850
• RES905 | Dissertation Research II | 4 | RES900
• CHR910 | Advanced Seminar in Applied Ethics | 3 | CHR800
• BUS920 | Corporate Social Responsibility | 3 | BUS702
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES950 | Dissertation Completion | 4 | RES905
• CHR960 | Ethics in Global Healthcare Contexts | 3 | CHR701
• MGT970 | Change Management and Institutional Renewal | 3 | MGT730
• RES980 | Scholarly Publishing and Dissemination | 4 | RES950