Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Public Health, Specialization in Health Ministry

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.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

Three to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, academic progress, and completion of the doctoral project

Advanced faith-based public health 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 Public Health, with a specialization in Health Ministry, is a rigorous terminal degree designed for scholars and practitioners dedicated to the intersection of public health policy and community-based service. This program equips leaders to examine the systemic challenges of health disparity through the lenses of epidemiology, social policy, and ethical stewardship. By synthesizing empirical research with normative frameworks, graduates are prepared to address complex health issues within the diverse landscapes of contemporary global and local communities.

Students engage with advanced methodologies in public health research, organizational leadership, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The curriculum emphasizes the application of high-level evidence-based practices to improve community wellness outcomes while fostering an institutional environment grounded in ethical integrity and servant leadership. This degree prepares candidates to function at the highest level of scholarly and professional responsibility, ensuring that health initiatives are both scientifically sound and ethically informed.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Public Health is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based public health 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 public health-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 Proposal Development

• 3
• RES715
• PUB810 — Community Health Program Evaluation: Students learn to design, implement, and analyze program evaluation frameworks for health initiatives. Practical assessment metrics are emphasized. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT820 — Organizational Stewardship: This course explores the financial and operational stewardship of nonprofit health organizations. Focus areas include grant management and resource allocation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HIS750 — History of Public Health Movements: This historical survey examines the growth of public health outreach and its influence on current service models. Students identify lessons from past organizational successes. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES805 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Students begin the formal planning process for their dissertation project by defining the research problem and literature review. Guidance on IRB requirements is provided. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research Phase I

• 4
• RES805
• MGT840
• Strategic Communication for Nonprofits
• 3
• MGT801
• PUB860
• Community Health Systems Design
• 3
• PUB810
• THE780
• Theology of Human Wellness
• 3
• None
• DIS890 — Dissertation Research Phase I: Students initiate primary research under faculty supervision. This phase includes data collection, analysis, and refinement of research methodologies. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT840 — Strategic Communication for Nonprofits: This course focuses on effective stakeholder communication and public relations for health initiatives. Students develop media and advocacy strategies. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PUB860 — Community Health Systems Design: Students design innovative system models for health services that integrate public and private sector collaboration. Focus is on long-term sustainability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE780 — Theology of Human Wellness: This course provides a conceptual framework for understanding the human condition through an ethical lens of service and stewardship. It explores the intersection of spiritual formation and public health practice. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research Phase II

• 8
• DIS890
• BUS870
• Public Health Grant Writing
• 3
• MGT820
• CHR880
• Character Formation and Professionalism
• 3
• None
• CAP899
• Integrated Professional Synthesis
• 3
• Completion of all coursework
• DIS895 — Dissertation Research Phase II: Students complete the dissertation project, finalize findings, and successfully defend their research before the doctoral committee. This phase highlights scholarly excellence. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS870 — Public Health Grant Writing: This practical course covers the mechanics of grant writing and resource development for nonprofit organizations. Students prepare professional funding applications. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR880 — Character Formation and Professionalism: This seminar emphasizes the development of character and integrity in high-level leadership roles. Students reflect on their professional trajectory and call to service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP899 — Integrated Professional Synthesis: This final capstone seminar consolidates learning across the degree, emphasizing long-term impact on community health systems. Students articulate their professional vision for the future. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation represents the culminating academic achievement of the PhD program, requiring students to contribute original, high-quality research to the field of faith-based public health. The scope of this 12-credit requirement involves identifying a significant health-related issue, conducting rigorous primary or secondary research, and proposing an evidence-based solution that aligns with institutional missions of community service and stewardship.
• Through this project, students demonstrate their ability to apply advanced research methodology while integrating ethical reasoning and servant leadership into their findings. The dissertation must provide a substantive reflection on how a framework of stewardship and character formation informs the design of the research and the implications of its findings. This project serves as a capstone of both intellectual rigor and commitment to transformative, faith-informed public leadership.

Career Opportunities

• Public Health Research Consultant
• Health Program Administrator for Nonprofit Organizations
• Community Health Policy Advisor
• Director of Faith-Based Outreach Initiatives
• Academic Faculty in Health Science
• Public Health Advocacy Coordinator
• Clinical Program Ethics Officer

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 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 | Three to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, academic progress, and completion of the doctoral project
• Advanced faith-based public health 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 Methodologies | 4 | None
• PUB705 | Epidemiological Trends and Policy | 3 | None
• ETH710 | Ethics and Stewardship in Health | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MGT801 | Leadership in Community Health | 4 | None
• SOC720 | Social Determinants of Health | 3 | None
• RES715 | Applied Statistical Analysis | 3 | RES701
• MIN730 | Interdisciplinary Health Outreach | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PUB810 | Community Health Program Evaluation | 4 | RES715
• MGT820 | Organizational Stewardship | 3 | MGT801
• HIS750 | History of Public Health Movements | 3 | None
• RES805 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | RES715
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PUB830 | Global Health Policy and Outreach | 4 | PUB705
• EDU850 | Health Advocacy and Education | 3 | None
• COU760 | Crisis Intervention and Community Support | 3 | None
• RES815 | Advanced Qualitative Research | 3 | RES701
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS890 | Dissertation Research Phase I | 4 | RES805
• MGT840 | Strategic Communication for Nonprofits | 3 | MGT801
• PUB860 | Community Health Systems Design | 3 | PUB810
• THE780 | Theology of Human Wellness | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS895 | Dissertation Research Phase II | 8 | DIS890
• BUS870 | Public Health Grant Writing | 3 | MGT820
• CHR880 | Character Formation and Professionalism | 3 | None
• CAP899 | Integrated Professional Synthesis | 3 | Completion of all coursework