Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Nursing, Specialization in Healthcare Ministry

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Nursing, Specialization in Healthcare Ministry

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 (PhD) in Faith-Based Nursing with a specialization in Healthcare Ministry is an advanced terminal degree designed for nursing professionals seeking to integrate rigorous scientific inquiry with ethical, service-oriented leadership. The curriculum emphasizes the intersection of professional nursing practice and the delivery of compassionate, community-focused healthcare within faith-based organizations. Through advanced coursework in nursing theory, leadership, and ethical systems, scholars develop the expertise to lead complex organizational initiatives that prioritize human dignity and holistic stewardship.
• Students engage in deep academic research, examining health disparities and organizational efficacy from both clinical and missional perspectives. The program fosters intellectual agility and a commitment to servant leadership, equipping graduates to address contemporary healthcare challenges with professional excellence and enduring moral character. By combining evidence-based practice with a commitment to community wellness, the program prepares candidates to influence institutional culture and public health policy.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Nursing, Specialization in Healthcare Ministry 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 Seminar

• 4
• RES801
• CHR812
• Spiritual Care Integration
• 4
• CHR712
• MGT813
• Organizational Behavior for Health
• 4
• BUS802
• NUR810 — Advanced Clinical Leadership: Develops leadership strategies for managing high-performing clinical teams in diverse environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES811 — Dissertation Seminar: Guides students in the development of their dissertation proposal and research design. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR812 — Spiritual Care Integration: Explores the psychological and emotional impacts of spiritual health on patient recovery. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT813 — Organizational Behavior for Health: Analyzes dynamics of organizational structure and institutional change management. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 4
• RES811
• NUR821
• Global Health Perspectives
• 4
• NUR713
• COM822
• Interprofessional Communication
• 4
• None
• EDU823
• Adult Learning in Healthcare
• 4
• NUR800
• RES820 — Dissertation Research I: Initial phase of independent scholarly investigation and data collection for the dissertation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• NUR821 — Global Health Perspectives: Evaluates global health initiatives and the role of international healthcare partnerships. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM822 — Interprofessional Communication: Develops advanced skills in collaborative leadership and conflict resolution among professionals. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU823 — Adult Learning in Healthcare: Analyzes pedagogical theories applied to continuing professional education in nursing. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research II

• 4
• RES820
• NUR831
• Clinical Innovation and Change
• 4
• NUR810
• CHR832
• Faith and Justice in Healthcare
• 4
• CHR812
• CAP833
• Professional Integration Seminar
• 4
• All Core Courses
• RES830 — Dissertation Research II: Final analysis of data, drafting of the dissertation, and defense before the committee. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• NUR831 — Clinical Innovation and Change: Focuses on implementing new healthcare technologies and quality improvement protocols. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR832 — Faith and Justice in Healthcare: Explores the nexus of social justice and systemic healthcare provision in marginalized settings. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP833 — Professional Integration Seminar: Reflective final seminar synthesizing academic experience and mission-focused career goals. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating scholarly endeavor, requiring the candidate to conduct original research that contributes new knowledge to the field of faith-based healthcare ministry. Students must identify a critical gap in organizational or community health, apply rigorous quantitative or qualitative methodologies to study the problem, and synthesize their findings into a cohesive scholarly work. This process emphasizes the synthesis of empirical data with ethical reasoning, requiring students to demonstrate how their research findings can be implemented to enhance the mission and effectiveness of community health organizations.
• Beyond technical academic proficiency, the Dissertation requires a reflective integration of faith-informed character, highlighting how research influences the development of servant leadership and stewardship. Candidates are expected to document the alignment between their academic inquiry and the broader mission of their target institution, demonstrating how scholarly work promotes moral integrity and spiritual formation in service environments. The final submission is defended before a faculty committee, validating both the student's mastery of the discipline and their preparedness to contribute to the field as a reflective, ethical leader.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• NUR700 | Advanced Nursing Philosophy | 3 | None
• RES701 | Quantitative Research Design | 3 | None
• MIN702 | Theology of Servant Leadership | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• NUR710 | Healthcare Policy and Advocacy | 4 | NUR700
• RES711 | Qualitative Research Design | 4 | RES701
• CHR712 | Ethical Systems in Healthcare | 4 | MIN702
• NUR713 | Population Health Management | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• NUR800 | Nursing Education Pedagogies | 4 | NUR710
• RES801 | Advanced Statistical Analysis | 4 | RES711
• BUS802 | Nonprofit Resource Management | 4 | MIN702
• SOC803 | Community Health Sociology | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• NUR810 | Advanced Clinical Leadership | 4 | NUR800
• RES811 | Dissertation Seminar | 4 | RES801
• CHR812 | Spiritual Care Integration | 4 | CHR712
• MGT813 | Organizational Behavior for Health | 4 | BUS802
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES820 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES811
• NUR821 | Global Health Perspectives | 4 | NUR713
• COM822 | Interprofessional Communication | 4 | None
• EDU823 | Adult Learning in Healthcare | 4 | NUR800
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES830 | Dissertation Research II | 4 | RES820
• NUR831 | Clinical Innovation and Change | 4 | NUR810
• CHR832 | Faith and Justice in Healthcare | 4 | CHR812
• CAP833 | Professional Integration Seminar | 4 | All Core Courses

Career Opportunities

• Director of Faith-Based Healthcare Systems
• Chief Nursing Officer in Nonprofit Organizations
• Academic Faculty in Graduate Nursing Programs
• Clinical Researcher for Health-Related Ministries
• Policy Advisor for Public Health Initiatives
• Organizational Consultant for Mission-Driven Hospitals
• Executive Director of Community Wellness Centers

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, Specialization in Healthcare Ministry
• 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