Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Nursing, Major in Leadership, Management, 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, Major in Leadership and Management, Specialization in Health Ministry, is a rigorous terminal degree designed to prepare nurse leaders for advanced roles in organizational management and community health advocacy. The curriculum integrates high-level scholarly inquiry with the principles of stewardship, servant leadership, and ethical decision-making within the context of faith-based healthcare delivery systems. Students engage in intensive research, theoretical analysis, and collaborative scholarship to address complex systemic challenges in nursing leadership.
• By blending academic excellence with a focus on holistic care and organizational vitality, the program empowers scholars to lead with integrity. Participants explore the intersection of professional nursing practice and the missional priorities of faith-based institutions. The program cultivates the capacity to bridge the gap between clinical management and the ethical, community-focused objectives that define faith-informed service.
• 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 I

• 4
• RES810
• MGT850
• Strategic Innovation in Healthcare
• 3
• MGT710
• MIN860
• Faith-Based Health Advocacy
• 3
• MIN740
• MGT860
• Global Health and Stewardship Systems
• 3
• None
• DIS890 — Dissertation Research I: Initial execution of the approved doctoral dissertation research under the guidance of a faculty committee. Focuses on data gathering and methodology validation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT850 — Strategic Innovation in Healthcare: Exploration of innovative management strategies to improve patient care delivery and organizational health. Emphasizes adaptation in changing healthcare landscapes. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN860 — Faith-Based Health Advocacy: Strategic analysis of healthcare advocacy for marginalized groups within faith-informed structures. Examines public health education and community impact. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT860 — Global Health and Stewardship Systems: Evaluation of global health trends and the role of faith-based health initiatives in managing resources across borders. Analyzes sustainable humanitarian practices. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Completion and Defense

• 4
• DIS890
• MGT880
• Advanced Administrative Internship
• 3
• None
• MIN870
• Ethics of Care in Diverse Populations
• 3
• None
• MGT890

Capstone Seminar in Organizational Management

• 3
• All prior coursework
• DIS899 — Dissertation Completion and Defense: Final synthesis of research findings, submission of the written dissertation, and successful defense before the doctoral committee. Confirms original contribution to the field. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT880 — Advanced Administrative Internship: Supervised application of administrative leadership theories within an approved organizational environment. Focuses on reflective professional practice. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN870 — Ethics of Care in Diverse Populations: Examination of ethical frameworks for care that respect cultural and spiritual diversity while maintaining institutional core values. Develops inclusive leadership models. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT890 — Capstone Seminar in Organizational Management: Comprehensive review of management, ethics, and research to prepare for professional transition. Focuses on integrating the totality of the PhD experience. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The dissertation serves as the culminating scholarly endeavor, requiring candidates to perform original, empirical, or theoretical research that addresses a significant problem in nursing leadership or health ministry management. The project demands the synthesis of advanced research methodologies and the application of ethical, faith-informed perspectives to propose innovative solutions. Students are expected to produce a high-quality, comprehensive manuscript that demonstrates mastery of the discipline, critical thinking, and the ability to contribute original knowledge to the field.
• Throughout the process, the dissertation emphasizes the integration of faith-based principles such as stewardship, integrity, and servant leadership. Candidates must demonstrate how their research informs their character development and serves to advance the missions of faith-based organizations. Successful completion requires a rigorous defense before a committee of scholars, ensuring the work meets the highest standards of academic excellence and spiritual maturity.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methodology | 4 | None
• MGT710 | Leadership in Healthcare Organizations | 3 | None
• THE720 | Ethics and Stewardship in Management | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES710 | Statistical Analysis for Nurse Scholars | 4 | RES700
• MGT730 | Human Resource Management in Nursing | 3 | None
• MIN740 | Foundations of Health Ministry | 3 | None
• RES720 | Qualitative Research Inquiry | 3 | RES700
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MGT800 | Financial Stewardship and Budgeting | 4 | MGT710
• RES810 | Research Proposal Development | 3 | RES700, RES720
• MIN820 | Community Health and Social Outreach | 3 | MIN740
• MGT830 | Organizational Policy and Governance | 3 | MGT710
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES820 | Data Synthesis and Analysis Seminar | 4 | RES710
• MGT840 | Conflict Resolution and Collaborative Leadership | 3 | MGT710
• MIN850 | Spiritual Formation and Leadership Identity | 3 | None
• RES830 | Advanced Literature Review Techniques | 3 | RES810
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS890 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES810
• MGT850 | Strategic Innovation in Healthcare | 3 | MGT710
• MIN860 | Faith-Based Health Advocacy | 3 | MIN740
• MGT860 | Global Health and Stewardship Systems | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS899 | Dissertation Completion and Defense | 4 | DIS890
• MGT880 | Advanced Administrative Internship | 3 | None
• MIN870 | Ethics of Care in Diverse Populations | 3 | None
• MGT890 | Capstone Seminar in Organizational Management | 3 | All prior coursework

Career Opportunities

• Chief Nursing Officer in Faith-Based Health Systems
• Director of Health Ministry and Community Outreach
• Healthcare Administration Consultant for Nonprofits
• Academic Faculty in Nursing Leadership Programs
• Executive Director of Community Health Initiatives
• Healthcare Ethics Policy Advisor
• Organizational Management Specialist

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