Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Public Policy

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Public 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 policy 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 Policy is a rigorous research-oriented degree designed for scholars and practitioners seeking to influence the intersection of governance, civic engagement, and institutional ethics. The curriculum emphasizes the application of rigorous analytical frameworks to contemporary societal challenges, fostering deep engagement with the complexities of policy design, implementation, and advocacy within a diverse democratic landscape. Students are challenged to synthesize advanced research methodologies with core principles of stewardship, integrity, and social justice to address systemic societal concerns. By examining the structural dimensions of institutional influence, the program cultivates advanced expertise in formulating policy solutions that reflect the highest standards of professional excellence and moral responsibility. The program facilitates a comprehensive study of the interplay between community stakeholders and governmental institutions, equipping graduates to serve as thought leaders who integrate academic expertise with a commitment to the common good.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Public Policy is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based public policy theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based public policy-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

• 4
• RES801
• MIN860
• Community-Based Intervention Strategies
• 3
• None
• POL865
• Legal Systems and Regulatory Policy
• 4
• None
• POL850 — Global Development and Governance: This course evaluates international development strategies and the role of transnational organizations in global policy. Students assess how global standards impact local initiatives. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES855 — Dissertation Prospectus Development: Students finalize their research question and conceptual framework for the doctoral dissertation. This course provides guided support for academic writing and committee alignment. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN860 — Community-Based Intervention Strategies: This course focuses on practical strategies for developing community-led solutions to public issues. Students analyze the role of grassroots efforts in effective policy execution. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• POL865 — Legal Systems and Regulatory Policy: An examination of how legal frameworks regulate the activity of civil society and public organizations. Students learn to navigate the complexities of regulatory environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 4
• RES855
• POL875
• Emerging Issues in Public Policy
• 4
• None
• CHR880
• Stewardship and Financial Management
• 3
• None
• POL885
• Legislative Analysis and Process
• 3
• None
• DIS870 — Dissertation Research I: The initial phase of the doctoral dissertation focusing on literature review and data collection. Students work closely with faculty mentors to ensure research validity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• POL875 — Emerging Issues in Public Policy: A seminar-style course addressing contemporary policy challenges such as technology, environment, and demographics. Students discuss adaptive approaches to complex, modern-day problems. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR880 — Stewardship and Financial Management: Students investigate fiscal management strategies designed for the sustainability of public and nonprofit institutions. The course underscores the ethical management of donor-provided resources. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• POL885 — Legislative Analysis and Process: An in-depth look at the legislative process and how evidence-based policy is crafted at the municipal and national level. Students practice drafting policy proposals for legislative review. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research II

• 4
• DIS870
• DIS895
• Doctoral Dissertation Defense
• 4
• DIS890
• COM898
• Strategic Communication for Policy Impact
• 3
• None
• CAP899

Capstone in Servant Leadership

• 3
• None
• DIS890 — Dissertation Research II: The second phase of the doctoral dissertation, emphasizing data analysis and the drafting of the final findings. Students prepare their original research for defense before an academic panel. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS895 — Doctoral Dissertation Defense: The final defense of the dissertation research, demonstrating academic mastery and the integration of ethics into scholarly inquiry. Students articulate the practical implications of their research for the community. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM898 — Strategic Communication for Policy Impact: Students focus on communicating research findings to non-specialist audiences, including policymakers and the public. Mastery of persuasive communication is developed as a tool for public service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP899 — Capstone in Servant Leadership: This final synthesis course integrates all aspects of the curriculum, focusing on the graduate’s future role as an ethical leader in the public square. Students develop a professional portfolio of service-oriented leadership plans. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating intellectual achievement of the PhD in Faith-Based Public Policy, requiring the student to produce a high-level, original contribution to the field. This research project must demonstrate deep analytical rigor, methodological sophistication, and the ability to synthesize complex policy issues. Students will conduct independent inquiry to address a significant problem, ensuring that their findings contribute meaningfully to academic discourse and practical civic application.
• The research process is deeply rooted in the integration of faith-based principles, specifically challenging students to articulate how ethical reasoning, biblical stewardship, and servant leadership inform their specific area of policy inquiry. By navigating the complexities of their chosen topic through a lens of moral integrity, students demonstrate that their academic competence is inextricably linked to their character development and commitment to the public good. The final dissertation must be successfully defended before a faculty committee, reflecting mastery of both the research discipline and the application of faith-informed leadership in professional settings.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES801 | Advanced Research Methods in Policy | 3 | None
• THE805 | Ethics in Public Administration | 3 | None
• POL810 | Theoretical Foundations of Public Policy | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES812 | Advanced Statistical Analysis | 4 | RES801
• POL815 | Comparative Policy Frameworks | 3 | POL810
• MGT820 | Nonprofit Organizational Leadership | 3 | None
• POL825 | Policy Implementation and Advocacy | 4 | POL810
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• HIS830 | History of Civic Engagement | 3 | None
• POL835 | Economic Policy and Social Welfare | 3 | None
• RES840 | Qualitative Research and Interviewing | 4 | RES801
• SOC845 | Sociological Perspectives on Policy | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL850 | Global Development and Governance | 3 | None
• RES855 | Dissertation Prospectus Development | 4 | RES801
• MIN860 | Community-Based Intervention Strategies | 3 | None
• POL865 | Legal Systems and Regulatory Policy | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS870 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES855
• POL875 | Emerging Issues in Public Policy | 4 | None
• CHR880 | Stewardship and Financial Management | 3 | None
• POL885 | Legislative Analysis and Process | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS890 | Dissertation Research II | 4 | DIS870
• DIS895 | Doctoral Dissertation Defense | 4 | DIS890
• COM898 | Strategic Communication for Policy Impact | 3 | None
• CAP899 | Capstone in Servant Leadership | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Policy Consultant for Nonprofit Organizations
• Director of Community Development
• University Professor of Public Policy
• Advocacy Strategist for Public Interest Groups
• Government Relations Officer
• Think Tank Research Analyst
• Executive Director of Faith-Based Service Agencies

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 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 policy 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