Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Public Health (Addiction Prevention, Policy) Specialization in Nonprofit Leadership, Systems

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Public Health (Addiction Prevention, Policy)

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 public health 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 Public Health with a specialization in Nonprofit Leadership and Systems is a rigorous, research-intensive program designed for scholar-practitioners committed to addressing addiction and community health through a lens of ethical stewardship and social responsibility. This doctoral degree emphasizes the intersection of organizational theory, public policy, and evidence-based addiction prevention strategies within the context of mission-driven nonprofit sectors. Students are challenged to bridge the gap between academic research and the practical realities of community-based health systems, developing the high-level critical thinking skills necessary to influence public health outcomes effectively.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Public Health (Addiction Prevention, Policy) is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based public health theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based public health-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

• 3
• RES725
• PUB840
• Advanced Program Evaluation
• 3
• RES701
• MGT850
• Human Resource Management in Nonprofits
• 3
• MGT730
• ELE860
• Technology in Health Systems
• 3
• None
• RES830 — Dissertation Seminar: Guidance on the refinement of the dissertation proposal and research ethics. Includes feedback on topic feasibility and research scope. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PUB840 — Advanced Program Evaluation: Instructs students on how to evaluate the outcomes of nonprofit health programs systematically. Focuses on logic models and quality improvement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT850 — Human Resource Management in Nonprofits: Analyzes the unique human resource needs of mission-driven organizations, emphasizing talent retention and organizational culture. Explores servant leadership within HR frameworks. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ELE860 — Technology in Health Systems: Examines the role of data technology in improving community health outcomes and administrative efficiency. Discusses digital innovation for nonprofit organizations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 8
• RES830
• PUB870
• Public Health Advocacy and Communication
• 3
• PUB720
• MGT875
• Change Management for Social Impact
• 3
• MGT730
• ELE890
• Community Resilience Planning
• 3
• PUB705
• CAP880 — Dissertation Research I: Active collection and analysis of data for the dissertation project. Regular meetings with committee chairs to ensure research alignment. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PUB870 — Public Health Advocacy and Communication: Focuses on communication strategies for influencing policy makers and public opinion on addiction issues. Emphasizes professional advocacy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT875 — Change Management for Social Impact: Explores strategies for managing organizational change in volatile environments. Focuses on sustaining mission during transitions. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ELE890 — Community Resilience Planning: Focuses on developing long-term strategies for community health infrastructure. Examines emergency response and prevention planning. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Defense and Final Writing

• 7
• CAP880
• MGT890
• Executive Leadership Residency
• 3
• MGT850
• PUB892
• Global Health and Local Applications
• 3
• PUB705
• RES899
• Doctoral Research Synthesis
• 3
• CAP880
• CAP895 — Dissertation Defense and Final Writing: Preparation of the final dissertation manuscript and successful oral defense of research. Integration of all program themes into scholarly work. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT890 — Executive Leadership Residency: A field-based experience observing and engaging with nonprofit executive leadership processes. Focuses on applying servant leadership in real-world scenarios. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PUB892 — Global Health and Local Applications: Studies the application of global public health standards to local addiction prevention and community development. Compares diverse health models. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES899 — Doctoral Research Synthesis: Synthesizes final doctoral learning outcomes and explores future academic directions. Final presentation of findings to academic peers. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The dissertation serves as the culminating scholarly endeavor for this PhD program, requiring students to contribute original research to the field of faith-based public health. Candidates must identify a significant gap in current addiction prevention or nonprofit system management and conduct rigorous, independent inquiry to address that gap. The process involves comprehensive literature review, research design, data analysis, and the final production of a dissertation document that meets the highest standards of doctoral scholarship, carrying a total weight of 15 credit hours.
• The dissertation encourages the integration of faith-informed character development by requiring students to reflect on the ethical implications of their findings and their roles as stewards of community health. Scholars are expected to articulate how their research embodies servant leadership and aligns with an ethical framework that values human dignity and social equity. Through this final project, students demonstrate not only technical academic competence but also a profound commitment to the service of others, ensuring their research facilitates the missions of community-focused nonprofit organizations.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Advanced Research Methodology | 4 | None
• PUB705 | Foundations of Addiction Prevention | 4 | None
• MGT710 | Nonprofit Organizational Governance | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PUB720 | Public Health Policy and Policy Analysis | 4 | PUB705
• RES725 | Advanced Statistical Analysis | 4 | RES701
• MGT730 | Strategic Leadership in Nonprofit Systems | 4 | MGT710
• THE700 | Ethics and Stewardship in Public Health | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PUB801 | Community-Based Participatory Research | 4 | RES701
• PUB810 | Systemic Resilience in Addiction Recovery | 4 | PUB705
• MGT820 | Financial Stewardship for Nonprofits | 4 | MGT710
• ELE805 | Special Topics in Public Health Law | 4 | PUB720
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES830 | Dissertation Seminar | 3 | RES725
• PUB840 | Advanced Program Evaluation | 3 | RES701
• MGT850 | Human Resource Management in Nonprofits | 3 | MGT730
• ELE860 | Technology in Health Systems | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP880 | Dissertation Research I | 8 | RES830
• PUB870 | Public Health Advocacy and Communication | 3 | PUB720
• MGT875 | Change Management for Social Impact | 3 | MGT730
• ELE890 | Community Resilience Planning | 3 | PUB705
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP895 | Dissertation Defense and Final Writing | 7 | CAP880
• MGT890 | Executive Leadership Residency | 3 | MGT850
• PUB892 | Global Health and Local Applications | 3 | PUB705
• RES899 | Doctoral Research Synthesis | 3 | CAP880

Career Opportunities

• Nonprofit Health System Executive
• Public Health Policy Analyst
• Addiction Prevention Program Director
• Nonprofit Strategy Consultant
• Higher Education Professor of Public Health
• Community Health Advocacy Lead
• Grant and Research Development Officer
• Organizational Ethics 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 | Ph.D. in Faith-Based Public Health (Addiction Prevention, Policy)
• 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 public health 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