Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Psychology Specialization in Mental Health Advocacy

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Psychology Specialization in Mental Health Advocacy

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 psychology 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 Psychology with a specialization in Mental Health Advocacy provides an advanced academic framework for scholars seeking to influence public health policy and community wellness through an ethical, service-oriented lens. This terminal degree emphasizes the intersection of psychological theory, social systems, and advocacy strategies, preparing graduates to address complex societal challenges through rigorous research and systematic analysis. The curriculum is designed to foster a sophisticated understanding of human behavior within diverse community contexts, promoting a holistic approach to mental health that values individual dignity and collective flourishing. Students engage in advanced scholarship that integrates professional psychological principles with the ethical mandates of stewardship and servant leadership. By navigating the complexities of mental health systems, graduates develop the capacity to design and lead initiatives that improve organizational efficacy, inform public awareness, and promote resilient community frameworks. This program is rooted in a commitment to intellectual excellence and the application of moral discernment to contemporary psychosocial issues.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Psychology Specialization in Mental Health Advocacy is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based psychology theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based psychology-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 Prospectus Development

• 3
• RES740
• RES800 — Advanced Statistical Modeling: A deep dive into advanced statistical techniques required for doctoral-level research. Topics include multivariate analysis and structural equation modelingThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• BUS810 — Program Development and Administration: Practical application of administration, budgeting, and sustainability planning for mental health advocacy initiatives within nonprofit and public sectorsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PSY820 — Cultural Competence in Mental Health: Critically examines the role of cultural and spiritual identity in mental health advocacy and program implementationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES830 — Dissertation Prospectus Development: Students work under faculty supervision to refine their dissertation proposal, complete the initial literature review, and secure research ethics approvalThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Research Phase I

• 4
• RES830
• COU860
• Collaborative Advocacy Networks
• 3
• None
• PSY870
• Integrative Frameworks in Social Advocacy
• 3
• THE705
• PSY840 — Psychology and Public Policy: An analysis of the intersection between psychological research and legislative processes, emphasizing how data informs public mental health mandatesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES850 — Dissertation Research Phase I: Execution of the primary research study, including data collection and analysis under the guidance of a dissertation committee chairThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COU860 — Collaborative Advocacy Networks: Examines the development of inter-agency partnerships and cross-sector collaboration to address mental health needs on a broad scaleThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PSY870 — Integrative Frameworks in Social Advocacy: This course explores the synthesis of psychological theories and community advocacy models to address systemic mental health challenges. Students analyze cross-disciplinary frameworks to develop effective outreach strategies. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research Phase II

• 5
• RES850
• CAP890

Dissertation Defense

• 3
• RES880
• PSY895
• Advanced Topics in Mental Health Advocacy
• 3
• None
• MGT898
• Grant Writing and Resource Management
• 3
• BUS810
• RES880 — Dissertation Research Phase II: Continued data analysis, drafting of dissertation chapters, and final revisions required for the doctoral thesis defenseThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• CAP890 — Dissertation Defense: The formal, public presentation and defense of the dissertation research before a committee, demonstrating scholarly mastery and contribution to the fieldThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PSY895 — Advanced Topics in Mental Health Advocacy: Seminar on current trends and challenges in the field, with a focus on preparing graduates for diverse leadership roles in advocacyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• MGT898 — Grant Writing and Resource Management: Practical training in the acquisition of funding and effective management of fiscal resources to support long-term advocacy goalsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Requirement

• The dissertation serves as the culminating scholarly experience of the PhD program, requiring students to conduct an original, substantive research project that contributes to the field of mental health advocacy. This project mandates the application of advanced research methodologies to investigate a significant problem in mental health policy or community wellness, demonstrating the candidate's mastery of the discipline and their ability to synthesize psychological literature with ethical theory. The dissertation is weighted at 12 credit hours, completed through sustained faculty mentorship and independent research. The process requires a formal proposal, a comprehensive literature review, detailed data analysis, and a public defense of findings. Beyond technical proficiency, the dissertation requires an integration of faith-informed perspectives, necessitating that the student articulate how their research embodies principles of stewardship, social justice, and the moral obligation to serve the vulnerable. This project serves as a capstone that reflects both the academic competence of a doctoral researcher and the character development of a professional committed to the common good.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Foundations of Doctoral Research | 3 | None
• PSY710 | Advanced Psychological Theory | 3 | None
• THE705 | Ethics in Behavioral Science | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES720 | Quantitative Research Methods | 4 | RES700
• COU715 | Systems of Mental Health Advocacy | 3 | None
• SOC725 | Community and Social Dynamics | 3 | None
• MIN730 | Servant Leadership in Human Services | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES740 | Qualitative Research Methods | 4 | RES700
• PSY750 | Psychological Impact of Social Inequity | 3 | PSY710
• COU760 | Crisis Intervention and Resilience | 3 | None
• COM770 | Strategic Communication for Advocacy | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Advanced Statistical Modeling | 4 | RES720
• BUS810 | Program Development and Administration | 3 | MIN730
• PSY820 | Cultural Competence in Mental Health | 3 | None
• RES830 | Dissertation Prospectus Development | 3 | RES740
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PSY840 | Psychology and Public Policy | 3 | COU715
• RES850 | Dissertation Research Phase I | 4 | RES830
• COU860 | Collaborative Advocacy Networks | 3 | None
• PSY870 | Integrative Frameworks in Social Advocacy | 3 | THE705
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES880 | Dissertation Research Phase II | 5 | RES850
• CAP890 | Dissertation Defense | 3 | RES880
• PSY895 | Advanced Topics in Mental Health Advocacy | 3 | None
• MGT898 | Grant Writing and Resource Management | 3 | BUS810

Career Opportunities

• Public Policy Advocate
• Mental Health Program Director
• Academic Researcher
• Non-profit Organizational Consultant
• Community Wellness Coordinator
• Public Health Policy Analyst
• Advocacy Specialist in Behavioral Health

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 Psychology Specialization in Mental Health Advocacy
• 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 psychology 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