Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Nutrition, Specialization in Public Health Wellness

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Nutrition

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 nutrition 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 Nutrition with a specialization in Public Health Wellness is an advanced doctoral degree designed for scholar-practitioners dedicated to the intersection of nutritional science, public health advocacy, and compassionate service. The program emphasizes an evidence-based approach to wellness, fostering the development of leaders capable of addressing systemic health disparities within diverse community contexts through informed decision-making and sustainable health interventions. By grounding scientific inquiry in a framework of ethical stewardship, the program empowers students to investigate complex nutritional challenges and develop strategies that promote holistic health outcomes. Students engage in rigorous scholarly research, analyzing the sociocultural and environmental determinants of health while upholding the principles of servant leadership. The curriculum promotes a commitment to public service, ensuring graduates are equipped to integrate scholarly expertise with a profound sense of responsibility for the well-being of the populations they serve.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Nutrition is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based nutrition 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 nutrition-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 Prospectus Development

• 3
• RES750
• NUT805 — Community Nutritional Intervention Design: Students design evidence-based nutrition programs for target community groups, focusing on measurable outcomes. The course emphasizes sustainability and resource management. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• POL810 — Public Health Policy Analysis: This course reviews the history and development of health policy, exploring the role of institutions in advancing wellness. It evaluates policy impact on vulnerable populations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU820 — Behavioral Change and Health Counseling: Students explore the psychology of behavioral change in the context of long-term health maintenance. It covers motivational interviewing and empathetic communication techniques. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES830 — Dissertation Prospectus Development: This course guides students in the formulation and development of their dissertation research proposal. It involves literature review and methodology design. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research Phase I

• 3
• RES830
• NUT840 — Sustainable Food Systems and Security: This course addresses the link between agricultural policy, food distribution, and community health access. Students analyze systemic solutions to food insecurity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT850 — Health Program Management and Grant Writing: Students learn to secure funding and manage operational logistics for community wellness programs. The curriculum focuses on financial stewardship and accountability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES860 — Advanced Qualitative Inquiry: This course focuses on narrative and ethnographic research techniques used to capture the lived experiences of community members. It promotes deep engagement with participants. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS870 — Dissertation Research Phase I: Students begin primary data collection and analysis under the supervision of a faculty chair. This phase establishes the empirical foundation for the final dissertation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research Phase II

• 3
• DIS870
• RES899
• Doctoral Research Seminar
• 3
• None
• COM880 — Public Health Advocacy and Communication: This course focuses on the communication skills necessary to influence public health initiatives and advocate for wellness legislation. It explores media relations and public relations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE890 — Integrative Perspectives on Human Flourishing: This seminar facilitates an interdisciplinary discussion on the relationship between scientific health and spiritual formation. It addresses the philosophical foundations of human dignity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS895 — Dissertation Research Phase II: Students finalize data analysis and begin the synthesis and drafting of the dissertation manuscript. Regular progress reports to the committee are required. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES899 — Doctoral Research Seminar: This seminar provides a peer-review environment for doctoral candidates to discuss findings and challenges in their research projects. It fosters collegial discourse and critique. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Final Defense

• 3
• DIS895
• CAP910

Capstone Leadership Residency

• 3
• None
• ETH920
• Ethics in Professional Practice
• 3
• None
• RES930
• Dissemination of Research Findings
• 3
• DIS900
• DIS900 — Dissertation Final Defense: Students present and defend their completed doctoral dissertation before a faculty panel. This requires a final submission of the research and reflective analysis. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP910 — Capstone Leadership Residency: This project requires an on-site engagement with a community organization to implement findings from the doctoral research. It emphasizes the application of professional knowledge. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ETH920 — Ethics in Professional Practice: This final capstone course addresses complex ethical dilemmas within public health nutrition. It solidifies the student’s commitment to moral integrity in their career. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES930 — Dissemination of Research Findings: Students prepare their dissertation research for publication in peer-reviewed journals and for presentation at professional conferences. It focuses on the translation of academic knowledge. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation represents the pinnacle of the doctoral program, serving as the culminating scholarly endeavor that bridges advanced academic inquiry with faith-informed professional application. Students are tasked with identifying a significant issue within public health nutrition, conducting original empirical research, and developing a sophisticated proposal or program that provides actionable insights. The scope requires the synthesis of clinical, sociological, and ethical frameworks to propose solutions that demonstrate academic rigor and personal integrity. The dissertation is weighted at 9 credit hours and requires the successful defense of a comprehensive manuscript that demonstrates mastery of the subject matter. In alignment with the program’s faith-based identity, the research must address the intersection of health outcomes and ethical reasoning, demonstrating a commitment to biblical stewardship and the promotion of human flourishing within the community. Students are expected to reflect on how their scholarly process influences their development as servant leaders, documenting their growth in character and their ability to apply a Christian worldview to the practical challenges of public health. This process ensures that graduates emerge as individuals whose intellectual work is matched by a steadfast commitment to the ethical care and support of the vulnerable.

Career Opportunities

• Public Health Nutrition Program Director
• Community Wellness Coordinator for Nonprofits
• Health Policy Advisor for Faith-Based Organizations
• Applied Nutritional Research Consultant
• University Faculty in Nutrition and Health Sciences
• Public Health Program Evaluation Specialist
• Global Health Outreach Coordinator

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 Nutrition
• 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 nutrition 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 Methods in Health | 3 | None
• NUT705 | Epidemiology and Global Nutrition | 3 | None
• ETH710 | Ethical Stewardship in Healthcare | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• NUT720 | Clinical Nutrition and Metabolic Wellness | 3 | RES701
• SOC730 | Sociology of Public Health Wellness | 3 | None
• LED740 | Servant Leadership in Public Health | 3 | None
• RES750 | Biostatistics for Health Professionals | 3 | RES701
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• NUT805 | Community Nutritional Intervention Design | 4 | NUT720
• POL810 | Public Health Policy Analysis | 4 | None
• COU820 | Behavioral Change and Health Counseling | 3 | None
• RES830 | Dissertation Prospectus Development | 3 | RES750
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• NUT840 | Sustainable Food Systems and Security | 3 | None
• MGT850 | Health Program Management and Grant Writing | 3 | None
• RES860 | Advanced Qualitative Inquiry | 3 | RES701
• DIS870 | Dissertation Research Phase I | 3 | RES830
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COM880 | Public Health Advocacy and Communication | 3 | None
• THE890 | Integrative Perspectives on Human Flourishing | 3 | None
• DIS895 | Dissertation Research Phase II | 3 | DIS870
• RES899 | Doctoral Research Seminar | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS900 | Dissertation Final Defense | 3 | DIS895
• CAP910 | Capstone Leadership Residency | 3 | None
• ETH920 | Ethics in Professional Practice | 3 | None
• RES930 | Dissemination of Research Findings | 3 | DIS900