Faith-Based Ph.D. in Psychology Minor: Mental Health Advocacy

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Psychology

Total program length

111 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 psychology 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: 111
• Duration: 3 years
• Degree Level: PhD

Dissertation research and defense

• 18 credit hours
• Total
• 111 semester credit hours
• The Ph.D. in Psychology with a Minor in Faith-Based Mental Health Advocacy is designed to equip students with a deep understanding of psychological principles while integrating faith-based perspectives. This unique program emphasizes evidence-based practices within mental health advocacy that respect and incorporate the values of diverse faith traditions. Students will learn advanced research methodologies, develop competencies in clinical practice, and analyze the intersection of spirituality and psychology in promoting mental health. Graduates will be prepared for leadership roles in various settings, such as academic, clinical, and community organizations, contributing to the field through research and advocacy work. The program's integration of psychological theory and faith-based advocacy offers a distinct advantage in addressing the complex needs of individuals in mental health crises.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced psychology theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of psychology-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 111-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.

Capstone in Faith-Based Mental Health Advocacy

• 3
• None
• PSY 824
• Cultural Competence, Equity, & Diverse Populations
• 3
• None
• PSY 831
• Evidence-Based Psychotherapy: CBT, Third-Wave, Integrative
• 3
• None
• PSY 832
• Developmental Psychopathology
• 3
• None
• PSY 833
• Clinical Interviewing & Case Conceptualization
• 3
• None
• PSY 841
• Biological Bases of Behavior & Psychopharmacology
• 3
• None
• PSY 842
• Advanced Psychopathology: DSM/ICD & Differential Diagnosis
• 3
• None
• FMA 824 — Capstone in Faith-Based Mental Health Advocacy: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY 824 — Cultural Competence, Equity, & Diverse Populations: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY 831 — Evidence-Based Psychotherapy: CBT, Third-Wave, Integrative: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY 832 — Developmental Psychopathology: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY 833 — Clinical Interviewing & Case Conceptualization: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY 841 — Biological Bases of Behavior & Psychopharmacology: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY 842 — Advanced Psychopathology: DSM/ICD & Differential Diagnosis: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I: Proposal & IRB

• 3
• None
• PSY 881

Dissertation Research II: Data Collection

• 3
• None
• PSY 882

Dissertation Research III: Data Analysis

• 3
• Completion of Dissertation Research I and II
• PSY 883

Dissertation Research IV: Writing & Defense Preparation

• 3
• PSY 882 or equivalent regardless of prior coursework experience
• PSY 863 — Practicum II: Advanced Clinical Practice & Case Management: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY 871 — Doctoral Internship & Professional Development Seminar: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY 872 — Leadership & Administration in Behavioral Health Systems: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY 873 — Dissertation Research I: Proposal & IRB: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY 881 — Dissertation Research II: Data Collection: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY 882 — Dissertation Research III: Data Analysis: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY 883 — Dissertation Research IV: Writing & Defense Preparation: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Defense & Publication Seminar

• 3
• Completion of coursework in the Ph.D. in Psychology program
• PSY 890
• Doctoral Comprehensive Examination
• 3
• Completion of all required coursework for the Ph.D. in Psychology program
• PSY 884 — Dissertation Defense & Publication Seminar: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY 890 — Doctoral Comprehensive Examination: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 111 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PSY 801 | Advanced Research Design in Psychology | 3 | None
• PSY 802 | Doctoral Statistics I: Regression & ANOVA | 3 | None
• PSY 803 | History & Systems of Psychology | 3 | None
• PSY 804 | Ethical & Legal Issues in Professional Psychology | 3 | None
• PSY 811 | Doctoral Statistics II: Multivariate Methods | 3 | Doctoral Statistics I or equivalent
• PSY 812 | Psychometrics & Test Construction | 3 | None
• PSY 813 | Cognitive & Affective Science | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• FMA 820 | Faith-Based Foundations of Mental Health Advocacy | 3 | None
• FMA 821 | Faith, Trauma, and Community-Based Healing Models | 3 | None
• PSY 821 | Advanced Psychological Assessment I: Personality | 3 | Completion of foundational psychology courses
• FMA 822 | Mental Health Advocacy: Faith-Based Ethics, Law, and Policy | 3 | None
• PSY 822 | Advanced Psychological Assessment II: Cognitive & Neuropsych | 3 | Completion of Advanced Psychological Assessment I or equivalent
• FMA 823 | Advocacy in Ministry, Schools, and Healthcare Systems | 3 | None
• PSY 823 | Social Psychology: Theory & Applications | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• FMA 824 | Capstone in Faith-Based Mental Health Advocacy | 3 | None
• PSY 824 | Cultural Competence, Equity, & Diverse Populations | 3 | None
• PSY 831 | Evidence-Based Psychotherapy: CBT, Third-Wave, Integrative | 3 | None
• PSY 832 | Developmental Psychopathology | 3 | None
• PSY 833 | Clinical Interviewing & Case Conceptualization | 3 | None
• PSY 841 | Biological Bases of Behavior & Psychopharmacology | 3 | None
• PSY 842 | Advanced Psychopathology: DSM/ICD & Differential Diagnosis | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PSY 843 | Supervision & Consultation in Psychological Services | 3 | None
• PSY 844 | Practicum I: Assessment & Intervention | 3 | None
• PSY 851 | Program Evaluation & Outcomes Research in Behavioral Health | 3 | None
• PSY 852 | Seminar in Contemporary Issues & Emerging Research | 3 | None
• PSY 853 | Teaching Psychology in Higher Education | 3 | Completed coursework in psychology or education, or consent of instructor.
• PSY 861 | Advanced Qualitative Methods: Phenomenology, Grounded Theory, IPA | 3 | None
• PSY 862 | Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PSY 863 | Practicum II: Advanced Clinical Practice & Case Management | 3 | Practicum I: Introduction to Clinical Practice
• PSY 871 | Doctoral Internship & Professional Development Seminar | 3 | None
• PSY 872 | Leadership & Administration in Behavioral Health Systems | 3 | None
• PSY 873 | Dissertation Research I: Proposal & IRB | 3 | None
• PSY 881 | Dissertation Research II: Data Collection | 3 | None
• PSY 882 | Dissertation Research III: Data Analysis | 3 | Completion of Dissertation Research I and II
• PSY 883 | Dissertation Research IV: Writing & Defense Preparation | 3 | PSY 882 or equivalent regardless of prior coursework experience
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PSY 884 | Dissertation Defense & Publication Seminar | 3 | Completion of coursework in the Ph.D. in Psychology program
• PSY 890 | Doctoral Comprehensive Examination | 3 | Completion of all required coursework for the Ph.D. in Psychology program

Career Opportunities

• Clinical Psychologist
• Mental Health Counselor
• Research Psychologist
• Faith-Based Community Advocate
• Academic Professor
• Program Director for Mental Health Initiatives
• Consultant for Faith-Based Organizations
• Policy Advisor in Mental Health Services

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 Psychology
• Total program length | 111 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 psychology 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