Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Public Health Specialization in Global health, vulnerable populations, critical issues

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Public Health

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 provides a rigorous, research-oriented curriculum designed for scholars and practitioners seeking to address complex global health challenges through a lens of stewardship and ethical service. The program emphasizes the intersection of systemic health disparities, the needs of vulnerable populations, and the critical issues influencing international health policy. By integrating advanced epidemiological research with a foundational commitment to servant leadership, the program fosters deep intellectual inquiry into the social, economic, and spiritual dimensions of community wellness.
• Students engage in a comprehensive exploration of global health governance, cultural competency, and advocacy for marginalized groups. The curriculum is structured to produce high-level researchers capable of contributing to public health knowledge and improving health outcomes in diverse environments. This degree program prepares students to lead with integrity, ensuring that scholarly contributions are grounded in both academic excellence and a dedicated pursuit of justice and social equity.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Public Health 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 I

• 3
• RES800
• PHL850
• Environmental Health and Stewardship
• 3
• PHL760
• PHL860
• Mental Health in Vulnerable Populations
• 3
• PHL740
• RES870
• Advanced Quantitative Modeling
• 3
• RES730
• RES840 — Dissertation Seminar I: Preliminary research and topic development for the dissertation project. Students work under faculty guidance to solidify their research question and methodological approach. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHL850 — Environmental Health and Stewardship: Explores the relationship between environmental conditions and community health outcomes. Emphasizes the moral obligation to steward natural resources for the common good. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHL860 — Mental Health in Vulnerable Populations: Examines the intersection of mental health and social vulnerability. Focuses on trauma-informed care and support networks within a community context. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES870 — Advanced Quantitative Modeling: Advanced statistical techniques for predictive modeling and health outcome projection. Prepares students for complex data-driven decision-making in research. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Seminar II

• 4
• RES840
• PHL885
• Interdisciplinary Health Systems
• 3
• PHL820
• PHL890
• Leadership in Global Crisis Management
• 3
• MGT750
• PHL800
• Professional Ethics and Organizational Communication
• 3
• None
• RES880 — Dissertation Seminar II: Continuation of dissertation research with a focus on data collection and preliminary analysis. Students provide updates and receive feedback from their supervisory committee. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHL885 — Interdisciplinary Health Systems: An examination of integrated health systems that coordinate care across sectors. Focuses on partnership between private, public, and nonprofit providers. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHL890 — Leadership in Global Crisis Management: Examines administrative and operational leadership during public health crises. Focuses on crisis preparedness, community response, and ethical decision-making. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHL800 — Professional Ethics and Organizational Communication: This course examines the intersection of professional conduct, interpersonal communication strategies, and institutional accountability within public health sectors. Students analyze ethical frameworks that govern interpersonal relationships and organizational behavior in complex healthcare settings. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Defense

• 12
• RES880
• PHL910
• Special Topics in Public Health Equity
• 2
• PHL810
• PHL920
• Health Policy Implementation Practicum
• 3
• PHL820
• RES930
• Advanced Grant Writing and Resource Stewardship
• 3
• RES830
• CAP900 — Dissertation Defense: Final synthesis of the dissertation project and oral defense before a committee of experts. Demonstrates the student's mastery of research and their commitment to faith-informed public health advocacy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHL910 — Special Topics in Public Health Equity: Exploration of emerging issues in health equity through case study analysis and peer dialogue. Focuses on collaborative solutions to contemporary disparities. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PHL920 — Health Policy Implementation Practicum: Application of research to practical settings, focusing on how to implement sustainable health improvements within organizations. Students analyze challenges to large-scale policy implementation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES930 — Advanced Grant Writing and Resource Stewardship: Strategies for identifying funding, crafting persuasive proposals, and managing grant resources ethically. Focuses on organizational sustainability in the health sector. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The dissertation serves as the culminating scholarly endeavor for this program, requiring students to execute an original research project that addresses a critical issue in global or community health. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of research methodology, technical proficiency in data analysis, and the ability to contribute new insights to the field of public health while maintaining the highest standards of academic integrity and ethical stewardship. The dissertation is weighted at 12 credit hours and is developed under the close supervision of a faculty committee.
• Beyond technical rigor, the dissertation represents the student's integration of faith-informed character and critical disciplinary knowledge. Each student is expected to explicitly discuss how their research reflects principles of servant leadership, biblical stewardship, and social justice. The final defense provides an opportunity for the student to articulate how their scholarly work facilitates a holistic approach to service, demonstrating that their academic journey has fostered both intellectual prowess and a commitment to serving humanity with excellence and integrity.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methodology | 3 | None
• PHL710 | Foundations of Global Health | 3 | None
• ETH720 | Ethics and Stewardship in Public Health | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES730 | Statistical Analysis for Health Research | 4 | RES700
• PHL740 | Health Disparities among Vulnerable Populations | 3 | PHL710
• MGT750 | Servant Leadership in Health Organizations | 3 | None
• PHL760 | Epidemiology of Critical Health Issues | 3 | RES700
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Advanced Qualitative Inquiry | 3 | RES730
• PHL810 | Community Engagement and Health Advocacy | 3 | PHL740
• PHL820 | International Health Policy Development | 3 | PHL710
• RES830 | Program Evaluation and Impact Assessment | 4 | RES730
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES840 | Dissertation Seminar I | 3 | RES800
• PHL850 | Environmental Health and Stewardship | 3 | PHL760
• PHL860 | Mental Health in Vulnerable Populations | 3 | PHL740
• RES870 | Advanced Quantitative Modeling | 3 | RES730
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES880 | Dissertation Seminar II | 4 | RES840
• PHL885 | Interdisciplinary Health Systems | 3 | PHL820
• PHL890 | Leadership in Global Crisis Management | 3 | MGT750
• PHL800 | Professional Ethics and Organizational Communication | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP900 | Dissertation Defense | 12 | RES880
• PHL910 | Special Topics in Public Health Equity | 2 | PHL810
• PHL920 | Health Policy Implementation Practicum | 3 | PHL820
• RES930 | Advanced Grant Writing and Resource Stewardship | 3 | RES830

Career Opportunities

• Global Health Policy Advisor
• Public Health Researcher and Epidemiologist
• Nonprofit Health Program Director
• University Faculty or Scholar in Public Health
• Director of Community Health Initiatives
• International Development Consultant
• Humanitarian Aid Health Strategist

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
• 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