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Master of Arts in Faith-Based Statistics, Specialization in Research Policy Analysis

Academic unitHBIU College of Business and EconomicsTotal credits60Estimated duration2 years

Program Overview

Official program overview

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

M.A. in Faith-Based Statistics

Total program length

60 graduate semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Two academic years of full-time study

Advanced faith-based statistics core

27 credit hours

Research, assessment, and program evaluation

12 credit hours

Professional application and field experience

12 credit hours

Graduate capstone requirement

9 credit hours

The Master of Arts in Faith-Based Statistics with a specialization in Research Policy Analysis is a rigorous graduate program designed to integrate advanced analytical methods with ethical stewardship and servant leadership. Students engage in the study of quantitative modeling, data visualization, and policy evaluation to support data-driven decision-making within the nonprofit and community-service sectors. The curriculum emphasizes the application of rigorous statistical methodology to address complex societal issues through the lens of justice, compassion, and institutional accountability. By bridging the gap between empirical research and organizational practice, the program equips graduates to navigate the intersection of academic inquiry and public service. The program fosters a sophisticated understanding of data integrity, highlighting the responsibility to manage institutional information as a form of social stewardship. This approach ensures that technical expertise is always tempered by a commitment to the well-being of the communities served.

The 60-credit master's program provides advanced preparation in Faith-Based Statistics theory, human behavior, ethics, assessment awareness, research, program evaluation, crisis response, leadership, referral, and faith-based statistics-support services.

The graduate capstone may include: An applied research study; A community needs assessment; A faith-based statistics-support program; A professional training manual; A program-development and evaluation project; Another faculty-approved scholarly project.

The program is designed for completion within two academic years by students maintaining the University's prescribed full-time course load. Part-time students may require additional time.

Florida establishes a minimum of 24 semester credits beyond the bachelor's degree for a master's program. The University's 60-credit requirement is an institutional academic standard that exceeds that minimum.

Program Facts

Program facts

Degree abbreviation
M.A. in Faith-Based Statistics
Total program length
60 graduate semester credit hours
Normal completion time
Two academic years of full-time study
Academic unit
HBIU College of Business and Economics
Total credits
60
Duration
2 years

Program Description

Official program description

Learning Outcomes

Student learning outcomes

  • Analyze complex social datasets using advanced statistical software and inferential modeling techniques.
  • Evaluate the ethical implications of data collection and reporting policies within faith-based institutional contexts.
  • Design comprehensive research frameworks to assess the efficacy of nonprofit program interventions.
  • Communicate technical statistical findings to diverse stakeholders to influence data-informed policy changes.
  • Integrate Christian ethical reasoning into the development and implementation of organizational research policies.
  • Demonstrate servant leadership by facilitating collaborative, data-driven planning in community settings.
  • Interpret large-scale policy trends to identify sustainable solutions for community-based organizational challenges.
  • Course Outline
  • Semester 1 — Year 1
  • Code
  • Title
  • Credits
  • Prerequisites
  • RES 501
  • Applied Statistical Methods I
  • 4
  • None
  • BUS 505
  • Ethics in Organizational Management
  • 4
  • None
  • RES 510
  • Research Design for Policy Analysis
  • 4
  • None
  • COM 520
  • Professional Communication for Policy Research
  • 4
  • None
  • RES 501 — Applied Statistical Methods I: This course covers foundational statistical techniques including descriptive statistics and probability distributions. It focuses on the accurate interpretation of data sets in professional environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • BUS 505 — Ethics in Organizational Management: This course examines ethical decision-making frameworks within professional and faith-based settings. Students explore the concept of stewardship in corporate and nonprofit resource allocation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • RES 510 — Research Design for Policy Analysis: Students learn to design robust research studies including qualitative and quantitative methodologies. Emphasis is placed on creating valid metrics for organizational success. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • COM 520 — Professional Communication for Policy Research: This course focuses on communicating complex data to diverse community audiences. It addresses writing for public policy and verbal presentation of research findings. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • Semester 2 — Year 1
  • Code
  • Title
  • Credits
  • Prerequisites
  • RES 550
  • Advanced Statistical Modeling
  • 4
  • RES 501
  • BUS 560
  • Program Evaluation and Strategy
  • 4
  • RES 510
  • SOC 570
  • Social Policy and Community Development
  • 4
  • None
  • ECON 580
  • Foundations of Public Economic Policy
  • 4
  • None
  • RES 550 — Advanced Statistical Modeling: This course builds on basic statistics to include multivariate regression and inferential modeling. Students analyze large datasets to identify patterns relevant to social policy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • BUS 560 — Program Evaluation and Strategy: Students study the methodology of program evaluation to assess organizational impact. This course emphasizes the iterative process of strategic improvement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • SOC 570 — Social Policy and Community Development: This course reviews the history and impact of social policy on community organizations. It explores the relationship between macro policy changes and micro-level organizational response. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • ECON 580 — Foundations of Public Economic Policy: This course examines economic principles, resource management, and the theoretical frameworks governing public policy and financial oversight. It provides an analysis of fiscal responsibility and resource distribution within administrative systems. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • Semester 3 — Year 2
  • Code
  • Title
  • Credits
  • Prerequisites
  • RES 610
  • Data Visualization and Policy Advocacy
  • 3
  • RES 550
  • BUS 620
  • Resource Allocation and Budgeting
  • 3
  • BUS 560
  • RES 630
  • Quantitative Data Mining
  • 3
  • RES 550
  • MGT 640
  • Servant Leadership in Non-Profit Organizations
  • 3
  • None
  • RES 610 — Data Visualization and Policy Advocacy: This course instructs students in the use of graphical software to represent data for policy advocacy. Students create visualizations that promote clarity and transparency. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • BUS 620 — Resource Allocation and Budgeting: Students learn to manage organizational budgets using analytical research data. Topics include financial integrity and resource optimization for non-profits. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • RES 630 — Quantitative Data Mining: This course covers the practical application of data mining for community health and social services. It emphasizes ethical data retrieval and storage. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • MGT 640 — Servant Leadership in Non-Profit Organizations: This course examines the theory of servant leadership within the administrative structures of non-profits. Students assess the impact of culture on organizational success. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • Semester 4 — Year 2
  • Code
  • Title
  • Credits
  • Prerequisites
  • CAP 690
  • Thesis Research and Development
  • 3
  • All Core Courses
  • CAP 695
  • Master's Thesis Project
  • 4
  • CAP 690
  • BUS 680
  • Advanced Policy Seminar
  • 3
  • None
  • RES 660
  • Ethics and Policy Analysis Independent Study
  • 3
  • RES 550
  • CAP 690 — Thesis Research and Development: This course provides the structure for initial thesis drafting and literature review. Students select a research topic and methodology for their final analysis. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • CAP 695 — Master's Thesis Project: Students complete an original research project that serves as a final comprehensive demonstration of their analytical skills. The project requires the integration of ethical reasoning and rigorous empirical methodology. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • BUS 680 — Advanced Policy Seminar: This seminar synthesizes theoretical knowledge and practical research experience. Students discuss contemporary policy challenges facing community-based nonprofits. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • RES 660 — Ethics and Policy Analysis Independent Study: This course allows students to specialize in a specific field of policy analysis through a directed research paper. It emphasizes the application of high-level statistical tools to real-world datasets. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Admission Requirements

Admission and entry requirements

Applicants must hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Prospective students must submit official transcripts, a statement of purpose outlining their commitment to ethical service, and two professional or academic letters of recommendation demonstrating their readiness for graduate-level quantitative research. Thesis or Capstone Project The Master’s Thesis serves as the culminating academic experience, requiring students to execute an original research project that addresses a specific policy challenge within a community or nonprofit setting. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of statistical methodology, literature synthesis, and the practical application of policy analysis. This project is weighted at 4 credit hours and requires students to submit a formal research paper and deliver a professional presentation to faculty and practitioners. Beyond academic excellence, the thesis serves as a bridge between professional competence and faith-informed character. Students must explicitly integrate their findings with frameworks of biblical stewardship and ethical integrity, demonstrating how their research supports the long-term flourishing of community organizations. This process reflects the student's transition from an analytical learner to a servant leader capable of using objective data to advance a mission of service and care.

Protected Curriculum

Complete program outline available after verification

Graduation Requirements

Graduation and completion requirements

  • Graduation requires the successful completion of 60 credit hours with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. Students must earn a passing grade on the Master’s Thesis, demonstrating both technical proficiency and a robust capacity for ethical analysis. Failure to maintain the required GPA or to complete the research project with academic rigor will delay degree conferral.
  • In addition to academic achievement, students are expected to engage in consistent spiritual formation and community service throughout their residency. Graduation recognizes the student as an individual who has cultivated both intellectual precision and the moral maturity necessary for faith-informed service. This holistic approach ensures that each graduate is prepared to act with integrity and wisdom as a steward of organizational resources and a partner in community transformation.
  • Career Opportunities
  • Nonprofit Data Analyst
  • Social Policy Research Consultant
  • Program Evaluation Coordinator
  • Institutional Research Manager
  • Grant and Impact Assessment Specialist
  • Community Development Planner
  • Public Policy Advisor for Faith-Based Organizations
  • 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 | M.A. in Faith-Based Statistics
  • Total program length | 60 graduate semester credit hours
  • Normal completion time | Two academic years of full-time study
  • Advanced faith-based statistics core | 27 credit hours
  • Research, assessment, and program evaluation | 12 credit hours
  • Professional application and field experience | 12 credit hours
  • Graduate capstone requirement | 9 credit hours
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • RES 501 | Applied Statistical Methods I | 4 | None
  • BUS 505 | Ethics in Organizational Management | 4 | None
  • RES 510 | Research Design for Policy Analysis | 4 | None
  • COM 520 | Professional Communication for Policy Research | 4 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • RES 550 | Advanced Statistical Modeling | 4 | RES 501
  • BUS 560 | Program Evaluation and Strategy | 4 | RES 510
  • SOC 570 | Social Policy and Community Development | 4 | None
  • ECON 580 | Foundations of Public Economic Policy | 4 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • RES 610 | Data Visualization and Policy Advocacy | 3 | RES 550
  • BUS 620 | Resource Allocation and Budgeting | 3 | BUS 560
  • RES 630 | Quantitative Data Mining | 3 | RES 550
  • MGT 640 | Servant Leadership in Non-Profit Organizations | 3 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • CAP 690 | Thesis Research and Development | 3 | All Core Courses
  • CAP 695 | Master's Thesis Project | 4 | CAP 690
  • BUS 680 | Advanced Policy Seminar | 3 | None
  • RES 660 | Ethics and Policy Analysis Independent Study | 3 | RES 550

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities

Career Opportunities

  • Nonprofit Data Analyst
  • Social Policy Research Consultant
  • Program Evaluation Coordinator
  • Institutional Research Manager
  • Grant and Impact Assessment Specialist
  • Community Development Planner
  • Public Policy Advisor for Faith-Based Organizations

Additional Official Information

Additional source information

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 | M.A. in Faith-Based Statistics
  • Total program length | 60 graduate semester credit hours
  • Normal completion time | Two academic years of full-time study
  • Advanced faith-based statistics core | 27 credit hours
  • Research, assessment, and program evaluation | 12 credit hours
  • Professional application and field experience | 12 credit hours
  • Graduate capstone requirement | 9 credit hours
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • RES 501 | Applied Statistical Methods I | 4 | None
  • BUS 505 | Ethics in Organizational Management | 4 | None
  • RES 510 | Research Design for Policy Analysis | 4 | None
  • COM 520 | Professional Communication for Policy Research | 4 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • RES 550 | Advanced Statistical Modeling | 4 | RES 501
  • BUS 560 | Program Evaluation and Strategy | 4 | RES 510
  • SOC 570 | Social Policy and Community Development | 4 | None
  • ECON 580 | Foundations of Public Economic Policy | 4 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • RES 610 | Data Visualization and Policy Advocacy | 3 | RES 550
  • BUS 620 | Resource Allocation and Budgeting | 3 | BUS 560
  • RES 630 | Quantitative Data Mining | 3 | RES 550
  • MGT 640 | Servant Leadership in Non-Profit Organizations | 3 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • CAP 690 | Thesis Research and Development | 3 | All Core Courses
  • CAP 695 | Master's Thesis Project | 4 | CAP 690
  • BUS 680 | Advanced Policy Seminar | 3 | None
  • RES 660 | Ethics and Policy Analysis Independent Study | 3 | RES 550