Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Public Safety, Specialization in Emergency Preparedness

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Public Safety, Specialization in Emergency Preparedness

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 Safety and Emergency Preparedness 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 Safety with a specialization in Emergency Preparedness is an advanced research degree designed for scholars and practitioners dedicated to the stewardship of public safety within the context of servant leadership. The curriculum provides a rigorous academic framework for exploring the complexities of crisis management, disaster response, and organizational resilience through an ethical, faith-informed lens. By integrating advanced theoretical research with the practical realities of community protection, students are prepared to lead with integrity and foresight in diverse public and nonprofit sectors. The program emphasizes the development of original research that addresses contemporary challenges in emergency management, fostering a deeper understanding of how faith-based values contribute to societal stability and long-term community well-being. Scholars engage in high-level inquiry, peer-reviewed analysis, and the synthesis of interdisciplinary knowledge to advance the field of public safety.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Public Safety, Specialization in Emergency Preparedness is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based public safety and emergency preparedness 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 safety and emergency preparedness-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 Prospectus Development

• 4
• RES702
• CRJ810
• Advanced Disaster Mitigation Strategies
• 4
• CRJ720
• MIN805
• Servant Leadership in Nonprofit Settings
• 3
• None
• CRJ815
• Risk Communication and Public Engagement
• 3
• None
• RES800 — Dissertation Prospectus Development: Students begin the formal development of their dissertation proposal, defining their research problem and intended methodology. This process involves close faculty mentorship. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CRJ810 — Advanced Disaster Mitigation Strategies: This course explores advanced mitigation techniques and long-term recovery planning. It assesses the effectiveness of various risk assessment models in diverse environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN805 — Servant Leadership in Nonprofit Settings: This course examines the integration of servant leadership principles into the administration of faith-based nonprofit safety initiatives. Students analyze case studies of exemplary leadership. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CRJ815 — Risk Communication and Public Engagement: This course examines the strategies and challenges of public communication during emergency situations. Students learn how to foster trust and disseminate information ethically. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 4
• RES810
• CRJ840
• Global Trends in Emergency Management
• 4
• None
• ETH850
• Professional Ethics and Organizational Integrity
• 3
• None
• CRJ845
• Technology and Future Threats
• 3
• None
• CAP890 — Dissertation Research I: Candidates conduct independent research under the supervision of a dissertation chair. This stage focuses on the gathering and organizing of research findings. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CRJ840 — Global Trends in Emergency Management: This course analyzes international trends in disaster management, including climate change, migration, and humanitarian crises. Students compare global strategies against local needs. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ETH850 — Professional Ethics and Organizational Integrity: This course examines ethical decision-making frameworks within public safety institutions and the development of professional character standards. Students explore the application of moral philosophy to leadership dilemmas and institutional accountability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CRJ845 — Technology and Future Threats: This course assesses the role of technological advancements in both causing and mitigating modern public safety threats. Students predict future emergency needs based on technical trends. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Defense and Finalization

• 4
• CAP890
• CRJ855
• Leadership in Public Safety Innovation
• 4
• None
• MGT860
• Organizational Culture and Mission
• 3
• None
• SOC870
• Comparative History of Civil Society and Social Institutions
• 3
• None
• CAP891 — Dissertation Defense and Finalization: This course involves the final preparation, submission, and oral defense of the doctoral dissertation. Candidates present their research before a faculty committee. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CRJ855 — Leadership in Public Safety Innovation: This course synthesizes current research on leading change and innovation in safety-related organizations. Students develop a capstone-style presentation on organizational improvement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT860 — Organizational Culture and Mission: This course examines how to build organizational cultures that prioritize safety and service excellence. It focuses on the alignment of staff activities with the organization's mission. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC870 — Comparative History of Civil Society and Social Institutions: This course analyzes the historical evolution of civil society organizations and their role in shaping public safety and community development. It emphasizes the influence of private institutions on local governance and disaster response initiatives. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation represents the culminating intellectual achievement of the doctoral program, requiring candidates to produce a significant, original contribution to the field of emergency preparedness. The project is an 8-credit requirement that mandates the rigorous application of scholarly inquiry to a specific public safety challenge, encouraging students to synthesize technical expertise with ethical reasoning and service-oriented values. Candidates are expected to demonstrate comprehensive mastery of both their research methodology and the literature within their chosen domain of study.
• Beyond academic rigor, the dissertation provides a platform for candidates to articulate how a faith-informed perspective—grounded in stewardship, justice, and the promotion of community flourishing—shapes their approach to public safety. The finished document serves as a testament to the candidate's intellectual maturity, character development, and commitment to serving the common good. Through this capstone, students translate theoretical concepts into actionable knowledge that reflects both scholarly competence and a spirit of service.

Career Opportunities

• Emergency Management Director
• Public Safety Policy Researcher
• Nonprofit Disaster Response Coordinator
• Academic Faculty in Homeland Security or Public Policy
• Strategic Planning Consultant for Municipal or Faith-Based Organizations
• Government Agency Administrator
• Humanitarian Aid Director

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 Safety, Specialization in Emergency Preparedness
• 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 Safety and Emergency Preparedness 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 Methodology I | 3 | None
• CRJ710 | Foundations of Public Safety Policy | 3 | None
• THE705 | Ethical Stewardship and Public Service | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES702 | Advanced Research Methodology II | 3 | RES701
• CRJ720 | Emergency Preparedness Systems | 3 | CRJ710
• MGT730 | Organizational Leadership in Crisis | 3 | None
• HUM715 | Sociological Perspectives on Community Resilience | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Dissertation Prospectus Development | 4 | RES702
• CRJ810 | Advanced Disaster Mitigation Strategies | 4 | CRJ720
• MIN805 | Servant Leadership in Nonprofit Settings | 3 | None
• CRJ815 | Risk Communication and Public Engagement | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES810 | Advanced Data Synthesis | 4 | RES800
• CRJ825 | Inter-Agency Cooperation and Conflict | 4 | None
• MGT820 | Strategic Resource Allocation | 3 | MGT730
• CRJ830 | Vulnerability and Disaster Equity | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP890 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES810
• CRJ840 | Global Trends in Emergency Management | 4 | None
• ETH850 | Professional Ethics and Organizational Integrity | 3 | None
• CRJ845 | Technology and Future Threats | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP891 | Dissertation Defense and Finalization | 4 | CAP890
• CRJ855 | Leadership in Public Safety Innovation | 4 | None
• MGT860 | Organizational Culture and Mission | 3 | None
• SOC870 | Comparative History of Civil Society and Social Institutions | 3 | None