Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Healthcare Policy, Bioethics

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Healthcare Policy, Bioethics

Total program length

120 semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Four to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, research progress, and dissertation completion

Academic unit

HBIU College of Health Science

Total credits

120

Duration

3 years

• Analyze complex healthcare policy frameworks to identify systemic challenges and opportunities for reform.
• Evaluate bioethical dilemmas using established philosophical and normative ethical models.
• Design rigorous, original research projects that contribute to the scholarly literature in healthcare policy and ethics.
• Integrate ethical reasoning and principles of stewardship into the development of healthcare organizational guidelines.
• Demonstrate advanced proficiency in the communication of research findings to diverse academic and community stakeholders.
• Apply principles of servant leadership and social justice to the advancement of healthcare policy initiatives.
• Course Outline
• Semester 1 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• RES700
• Doctoral Research Methodology
• 4
• None
• BIO710
• Theoretical Foundations of Bioethics
• 4
• None
• POL720
• Healthcare Policy and Legal Environments
• 4
• None
• RES700 — Doctoral Research Methodology: Exploration of quantitative and qualitative research designs applicable to healthcare policy research. Students develop the ability to select appropriate methodologies for complex societal problems. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BIO710 — Theoretical Foundations of Bioethics: An intensive survey of major bioethical theories and their applications to the healthcare landscape. Students engage with historical and contemporary ethical frameworks. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• POL720 — Healthcare Policy and Legal Environments: Analysis of the statutory and regulatory environments that shape modern health policy. Focuses on the role of policy in determining health access and quality. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 2 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• BIO730
• Clinical Ethics and Patient Advocacy
• 4
• BIO710
• POL740
• Public Health Systems and Governance
• 4
• POL720
• RES750
• Advanced Data Analysis in Healthcare
• 4
• RES700
• PUB760
• Sustainability and Resource Management in Public Health
• 4
• None
• BIO730 — Clinical Ethics and Patient Advocacy: Examination of ethical dilemmas in clinical settings, focusing on the practitioner-patient relationship and informed consent. Emphasis on patient rights and the ethical obligation to care for the vulnerable. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• POL740 — Public Health Systems and Governance: Investigation of the structure and function of public health systems and the governance models used to manage resources. Analysis of global health disparities and local community health governance. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES750 — Advanced Data Analysis in Healthcare: Training in advanced statistical software and analytic techniques for policy-oriented research. Application of data to identify trends in health outcomes. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PUB760 — Sustainability and Resource Management in Public Health: This course examines the principles of resource management, environmental sustainability, and ethical stewardship within public health infrastructures. Students analyze the operational and social impacts of systemic resource allocation on community health outcomes. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 3 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• BIO770
• Ethics of Life-Cycle Challenges
• 4
• BIO730
• POL780
• Resource Allocation and Distributive Justice
• 4
• POL740
• RES790
• Policy Analysis Research Laboratory
• 4
• RES750
• MGT800
• Servant Leadership in Healthcare Systems
• 4
• None
• BIO770 — Ethics of Life-Cycle Challenges: Examination of ethical concerns regarding reproductive health, neonatal care, and end-of-life decision-making. Focuses on the intersection of technological advancement and human life. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• POL780 — Resource Allocation and Distributive Justice: Critical study of the ethical theories governing the distribution of scarce healthcare resources in both public and private sectors. Analysis of economic and justice-based arguments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES790 — Policy Analysis Research Laboratory: Practical application of research tools to current real-world healthcare policy problems. Students engage in small-scale independent research projects. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT800 — Servant Leadership in Healthcare Systems: Application of servant leadership theory to healthcare administrative environments. Focus on fostering organizational cultures that prioritize collective wellbeing and ethics. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 4 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• BIO810
• Global Bioethics and Cross-Cultural Perspectives
• 4
• BIO770
• POL820
• Political Science and Legislative Advocacy
• 4
• POL780
• RES830
• Advanced Literature Review and Proposal Development
• 4
• RES790
• ETH840
• Integrative Ethical Leadership
• 4
• MGT800
• BIO810 — Global Bioethics and Cross-Cultural Perspectives: An analysis of bioethical challenges within a globalized, culturally diverse framework. Focus on how varying worldviews impact healthcare delivery and policy formation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• POL820 — Political Science and Legislative Advocacy: Deep dive into the legislative process as it relates to health and medical policy. Examination of how researchers effectively translate findings into meaningful policy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES830 — Advanced Literature Review and Proposal Development: Synthesizing extensive academic literature to develop a formal dissertation proposal. Students clarify their research question and methodological approach. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ETH840 — Integrative Ethical Leadership: Synthesis of academic ethics and leadership development within the student's personal career path. Focus on maintaining integrity in challenging policy environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 5 — Year 3
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• DIS850
• Dissertation Research I
• 4
• RES830
• DIS860
• Dissertation Research II
• 4
• DIS850
• DIS870
• Dissertation Writing and Peer Review
• 4
• DIS860
• ELE880
• Advanced Elective: Healthcare Innovations
• 4
• None
• DIS850 — Dissertation Research I: Initial phase of the doctoral dissertation focusing on data collection and preliminary analysis. Supervision provided to ensure alignment with ethical and academic standards. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS860 — Dissertation Research II: Ongoing research efforts with emphasis on deeper data analysis and refinement of arguments. Ongoing feedback from the advisory committee is synthesized into the research. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS870 — Dissertation Writing and Peer Review: Structured drafting of the dissertation chapters with concurrent peer and faculty review. Emphasis on clarity, coherence, and contribution to the discipline. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ELE880 — Advanced Elective: Healthcare Innovations: Analysis of the ethical implications of emerging healthcare technologies and their impact on future policy. Students explore the intersection of innovation and access. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 6 — Year 3
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• DIS890
• Dissertation Completion and Defense
• 4
• DIS870
• ELE900
• Advanced Elective: Community Health Engagement
• 4
• None
• ELE910
• Advanced Elective: Organizational Ethics
• 4
• None
• ELE920
• Advanced Elective: Public Policy Communication
• 4
• None
• DIS890 — Dissertation Completion and Defense: Final completion of the dissertation and the oral defense before the doctoral committee. Demonstration of mastery of the subject matter and independent scholarly capacity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ELE900 — Advanced Elective: Community Health Engagement: Application of policy principles to address community-level health disparities. Focus on collaborative partnerships between research institutions and community agencies. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ELE910 — Advanced Elective: Organizational Ethics: Examination of institutional policies that impact healthcare quality and employee wellbeing. Analysis of the role of professional conduct in complex organizations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ELE920 — Advanced Elective: Public Policy Communication: Strategic development of communication skills for presenting research findings to policy makers and public forums. Focus on clarity, accuracy, and persuasiveness. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Admission to the PhD in Faith-Based Healthcare Policy and Bioethics requires a completed Master’s degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as Public Health, Bioethics, Philosophy, Healthcare Administration, or Theology. Applicants must provide official transcripts demonstrating a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.25 or higher. Additionally, candidates must submit a professional statement of intent, three letters of academic and professional recommendation, and a writing sample that demonstrates the ability to conduct independent analytical research. A personal interview may be required to assess the candidate's professional goals and readiness for doctoral-level research. Dissertation Requirement The Dissertation represents the pinnacle of the PhD experience, requiring students to conduct original, substantial research that addresses a significant gap in the field of healthcare policy or bioethics. Students are expected to identify a research problem, design a systematic methodology, collect and analyze data, and produce a dissertation that reflects doctoral-level academic competence. This process serves as a vehicle for demonstrating the synthesis of policy analysis and ethical inquiry, ensuring the scholar can contribute meaningfully to their discipline. The project integrates faith-based perspectives by requiring candidates to explicitly evaluate how their research supports principles of human dignity, social responsibility, and the stewardly use of limited resources. Students are encouraged to frame their research within a worldview that emphasizes the ethical obligations of healthcare systems to vulnerable populations. Through the dissertation process, candidates cultivate not only technical research skills but also the character traits of perseverance, integrity, and servant leadership, ensuring their contributions reflect both academic rigor and spiritual maturity.

• Graduation from the PhD program requires the successful completion of 120 credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. Students must demonstrate proficiency through the completion of all core coursework and the successful defense of their doctoral dissertation. Academic achievement is expected to be balanced with active participation in university-sponsored spiritual formation activities, which reinforce the university’s commitment to service and ethical leadership.
• Beyond academic mandates, students must exemplify institutional values through documented engagement in community service or ministry outreach. This requirement ensures that graduates possess the ethical integrity and interpersonal maturity necessary for high-level professional service. Readiness for graduation is assessed by the faculty as both a completion of technical competencies and a demonstration of an ongoing commitment to faith-informed service and ethical excellence in the public sphere.
• Career Opportunities
• Healthcare Policy Consultant for Faith-Based Nonprofits
• Bioethics Committee Chair in Academic Medical Centers
• Director of Research for Health Advocacy Organizations
• University Professor of Healthcare Ethics and Policy
• Administrator for Community-Based Health Initiatives
• Ethical Consultant for Public Policy Research Institutes
• Advocacy Director for Humanitarian Health 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 Healthcare Policy, Bioethics
• 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 healthcare policy and bioethics 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
• Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours
• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Doctoral Research Methodology | 4 | None
• BIO710 | Theoretical Foundations of Bioethics | 4 | None
• POL720 | Healthcare Policy and Legal Environments | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BIO730 | Clinical Ethics and Patient Advocacy | 4 | BIO710
• POL740 | Public Health Systems and Governance | 4 | POL720
• RES750 | Advanced Data Analysis in Healthcare | 4 | RES700
• PUB760 | Sustainability and Resource Management in Public Health | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BIO770 | Ethics of Life-Cycle Challenges | 4 | BIO730
• POL780 | Resource Allocation and Distributive Justice | 4 | POL740
• RES790 | Policy Analysis Research Laboratory | 4 | RES750
• MGT800 | Servant Leadership in Healthcare Systems | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BIO810 | Global Bioethics and Cross-Cultural Perspectives | 4 | BIO770
• POL820 | Political Science and Legislative Advocacy | 4 | POL780
• RES830 | Advanced Literature Review and Proposal Development | 4 | RES790
• ETH840 | Integrative Ethical Leadership | 4 | MGT800
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS850 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES830
• DIS860 | Dissertation Research II | 4 | DIS850
• DIS870 | Dissertation Writing and Peer Review | 4 | DIS860
• ELE880 | Advanced Elective: Healthcare Innovations | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS890 | Dissertation Completion and Defense | 4 | DIS870
• ELE900 | Advanced Elective: Community Health Engagement | 4 | None
• ELE910 | Advanced Elective: Organizational Ethics | 4 | None
• ELE920 | Advanced Elective: Public Policy Communication | 4 | None