Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Nursing, Major in Health Policy, Advocacy, Specialization in Health Ministry

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Nursing

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 nursing 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 Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Nursing with a Major in Health Policy and Advocacy is a rigorous, research-intensive program designed for nurse scholars who seek to influence systemic health outcomes through leadership and ethical service. The curriculum integrates advanced nursing theory with complex policy analysis, equipping graduates to navigate the intersection of public health, legislative frameworks, and community advocacy. By fostering a deep commitment to stewardship and servant leadership, the program prepares students to approach healthcare challenges with high-level academic precision and a dedicated heart for service. Graduates emerge as transformational leaders capable of addressing the needs of marginalized populations through evidence-based policy development and ethical healthcare administration. The program emphasizes the role of the nurse scholar as a catalyst for systemic change, balancing rigorous data-driven inquiry with the compassionate delivery of health initiatives within various community contexts.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Nursing is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based nursing theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based nursing-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 Phase I

• 6
• RES830
• POL845
• Contemporary Issues in Nursing Policy
• 3
• POL805
• MIN850
• Community Engagement and Service Leadership
• 3
• MIN720
• RES855
• Scholarly Publishing and Dissemination
• 2
• RES815
• RES840 — Dissertation Research Phase I: Dedicated time for data collection and initial analysis under the guidance of a dissertation committee. Students maintain consistent communication regarding progress and scholarly rigor. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• POL845 — Contemporary Issues in Nursing Policy: A seminar course addressing current, emerging trends in the intersection of health policy, nursing roles, and legal environments. Students analyze current events through the lens of ethical leadership. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN850 — Community Engagement and Service Leadership: Focuses on the practical application of community-based leadership in faith-based settings. Students design a project to increase civic participation in health initiatives. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES855 — Scholarly Publishing and Dissemination: Instructs students in the process of submitting peer-reviewed research for publication in academic journals. Emphasis is placed on the ethical responsibility to disseminate findings for public good. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Finalization and Defense

• 6
• RES840
• POL865
• Evaluation of Health Systems Reform
• 3
• POL705
• THE870
• Advanced Theological Reflection in Professional Practice
• 3
• THE710
• RES875
• Doctoral Research Symposium
• 2
• RES840
• CAP860 — Dissertation Finalization and Defense: The concluding phase of the doctoral program, involving the completion of the written dissertation manuscript and the oral defense of findings. Students demonstrate mastery of subject matter and integration of faith-based professional ethics. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• POL865 — Evaluation of Health Systems Reform: Students evaluate the outcomes of recent health policy changes and propose future-focused strategies for reform based on equity and justice. Applies systematic critical thinking to large-scale policy outcomes. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE870 — Advanced Theological Reflection in Professional Practice: A capstone seminar integrating the student's personal faith journey with their professional career path in health policy and advocacy. Students articulate their future commitment to service-oriented scholarship. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES875 — Doctoral Research Symposium: Participation in a culminating symposium where students present their research findings to the university community and peer groups. Demonstrates effective communication skills and professional contribution to the discipline. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic achievement of the PhD program, requiring students to conduct original, independent research that contributes substantively to the field of health policy and nursing advocacy. Candidates are expected to identify a significant challenge within the health sector, perform a rigorous methodological analysis, and propose a viable policy solution. This process encourages students to synthesize their scholarly learning with a commitment to biblical stewardship and servant leadership, ensuring that their research addresses the needs of vulnerable communities with both excellence and integrity. The project is weighted at 12 credits, emphasizing deep intellectual engagement and professional contributions to the field. It demonstrates not only academic mastery of the discipline but also the integration of faith-informed character development, as students reflect on the ethical implications of their research findings and their responsibility to advocate for the common good. The dissertation process is mentored by faculty to ensure that students effectively articulate how their work reflects a Christian worldview in practical, high-level health policy applications.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Foundations of Nursing Research | 3 | None
• POL705 | Health Policy and Legislative Systems | 3 | None
• THE710 | Ethical Reasoning in Healthcare | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES715 | Quantitative Methods in Policy Research | 4 | RES701
• MIN720 | Organizational Leadership in Health Ministry | 3 | None
• POL725 | Public Health Advocacy and Communication | 3 | POL705
• SOC730 | Sociology of Faith and Health | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES801 | Qualitative Methods in Nursing Research | 4 | RES715
• POL805 | Economics of Healthcare Policy | 3 | POL705
• MGT810 | Strategic Planning in Health Ministries | 3 | MIN720
• RES815 | Doctoral Research Seminar I | 3 | RES701
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL820 | Global Health Policy and Ethics | 3 | POL805
• CHR825 | Christian Stewardship and Resource Management | 3 | MIN720
• RES830 | Doctoral Research Seminar II | 4 | RES815
• EDU835 | Mentorship and Professional Development | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES840 | Dissertation Research Phase I | 6 | RES830
• POL845 | Contemporary Issues in Nursing Policy | 3 | POL805
• MIN850 | Community Engagement and Service Leadership | 3 | MIN720
• RES855 | Scholarly Publishing and Dissemination | 2 | RES815
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP860 | Dissertation Finalization and Defense | 6 | RES840
• POL865 | Evaluation of Health Systems Reform | 3 | POL705
• THE870 | Advanced Theological Reflection in Professional Practice | 3 | THE710
• RES875 | Doctoral Research Symposium | 2 | RES840

Career Opportunities

• Health Policy Consultant for Nonprofit Organizations
• Director of Faith-Based Community Health Initiatives
• Public Health Advocate for Nursing Policy
• Academic Faculty in Nursing and Public Health
• Director of Institutional Research for Healthcare Ministries
• Legislative Liaison for Healthcare Advocacy Groups
• Director of Clinical Stewardship

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 Nursing
• 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 nursing 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