Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Public Policy, Specialization in Public Policy in Nonprofit Organizations

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Public Policy, Specialization in Public Policy in Nonprofit Organizations

Total program length

72 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 Law and Public Policy

Total credits

72

Duration

2 years

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of public policy theories and frameworks.
• Conduct rigorous research using qualitative and quantitative methods relevant to public policy.
• Analyze the impact of public policies on various community demographics.
• Integrate principles of nonprofit management into public policy analysis.
• Develop and advocate for policy proposals that address social issues through a nonprofit lens.
• Collaborate effectively with stakeholders in government, nonprofit, and community sectors.
• Critically evaluate existing policies and their implementation in real-world contexts.
• Course Outline
• Semester 1 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• PP 701
• Foundations of Public Policy
• 3
• None
• PP 702
• Public Policy Analysis
• 3
• None
• PP 703
• Quantitative Methods for Public Policy
• 3
• None
• PP 704
• Qualitative Research Methods in Policy Studies
• 3
• None
• PP 701 — Foundations of Public Policy: Foundations of Public PolicyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 702 — Public Policy Analysis: Public Policy AnalysisThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 703 — Quantitative Methods for Public Policy: Quantitative Methods for Public PolicyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 704 — Qualitative Research Methods in Policy Studies: Qualitative Research Methods in Policy StudiesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 2 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• PP 705
• Economics for Public Policy
• 3
• None
• PP 706
• Public Administration Theory
• 3
• None
• PP 707
• Policy Design & Implementation
• 3
• None
• PP 708
• Ethics & Accountability in Public Policy
• 3
• None
• PP 705 — Economics for Public Policy: Economics for Public PolicyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 706 — Public Administration Theory: Public Administration TheoryThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 707 — Policy Design & Implementation: Policy Design & ImplementationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 708 — Ethics & Accountability in Public Policy: Ethics & Accountability in Public PolicyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 3 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• PP 709
• Comparative Public Policy
• 3
• None
• PP 710
• Governance, Institutions & Regulation
• 3
• None
• PP 711
• Advanced Policy Evaluation
• 3
• None
• PP 712
• Public Policy Research Seminar
• 3
• None
• PP 709 — Comparative Public Policy: Comparative Public PolicyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 710 — Governance, Institutions & Regulation: Governance, Institutions & RegulationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 711 — Advanced Policy Evaluation: Advanced Policy EvaluationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 712 — Public Policy Research Seminar: Public Policy Research SeminarThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 4 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• PP 713
• Nonprofit Policy & Governance
• 3
• None
• PP 714
• Public Finance for Nonprofit Organizations
• 3
• None
• PP 715
• Nonprofit Advocacy & Public Policy
• 3
• None
• PP 716
• Policy Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector
• 3
• None
• PP 713 — Nonprofit Policy & Governance: Nonprofit Policy & GovernanceThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 714 — Public Finance for Nonprofit Organizations: Public Finance for Nonprofit OrganizationsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 715 — Nonprofit Advocacy & Public Policy: Nonprofit Advocacy & Public PolicyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 716 — Policy Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector: Policy Leadership in the Nonprofit SectorThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 5 — Year 3
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• PP 717
• Advanced Topics in Public Policy
• 3
• None
• PP 718
• Social Policy & Community Development
• 3
• None
• PP 719
• Grant Policy, Philanthropy & Public Funding
• 3
• None
• PP 720
• Nonprofit Law & Regulatory Policy
• 3
• None
• PP 717 — Advanced Topics in Public Policy: Advanced Topics in Public PolicyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 718 — Social Policy & Community Development: Social Policy & Community DevelopmentThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 719 — Grant Policy, Philanthropy & Public Funding: Grant Policy, Philanthropy & Public FundingThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 720 — Nonprofit Law & Regulatory Policy: Nonprofit Law & Regulatory PolicyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 6 — Year 3
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• PP 721
• Doctoral Research Design in Public Policy
• 3
• None
• PP 722
• Dissertation Proposal Seminar
• 3
• Completion of core courses in Public Policy
• PP 723
• Policy Impact Assessment
• 3
• None
• PP 724
• Capstone Seminar in Public Policy & Nonprofit Leadership
• 3
• Completion of core courses in Public Policy and Nonprofit Leadership or equivalent graduate courses
• PP 721 — Doctoral Research Design in Public Policy: Doctoral Research Design in Public PolicyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 722 — Dissertation Proposal Seminar: Dissertation Proposal SeminarThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 723 — Policy Impact Assessment: Policy Impact AssessmentThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PP 724 — Capstone Seminar in Public Policy & Nonprofit Leadership: Capstone Seminar in Public Policy & Nonprofit LeadershipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Applicants must possess a master's degree in a related field and demonstrate strong academic and professional qualifications. A statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and relevant research experience are also required for consideration. Dissertation Requirement The capstone requirement serves as the culmination of the candidate’s spiritual formation and academic training, requiring the completion of a doctoral dissertation. This original research project must demonstrate a sophisticated command of policy analysis while applying theological insights to contemporary social issues. Candidates are expected to synthesize their research with a commitment to public service, presenting evidence-based solutions that reflect a rigorous application of their specialized study in nonprofit governance. This project assesses the candidate’s ability to articulate, defend, and apply scholarly work within the context of their calling as faith-informed public policy practitioners.

• To graduate from the Ph.D. program, candidates must complete 72 credit hours of coursework with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher. Satisfactory progress includes the successful completion of all core policy modules and the specialization sequence in nonprofit organizations, maintaining a standard of academic excellence and professional integrity. Furthermore, candidates must pass a comprehensive examination reflecting their mastery of policy frameworks and ethical reasoning. Final graduation is contingent upon the successful defense of the doctoral dissertation, which must demonstrate both scholarly rigor and a clear integration of the program’s core tenets of servant leadership, biblical stewardship, and Christian social ethics.
• Career Opportunities
• Public Policy Analyst
• Nonprofit Organization Director
• Government Affairs Specialist
• Policy Researcher
• Foundation Program Officer
• Advocacy Director
• Consultant for Public Policy Evaluation
• 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, Specialization in Public Policy in Nonprofit Organizations
• Total program length | 72 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
• Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours
• Total | 72 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PP 701 | Foundations of Public Policy | 3 | None
• PP 702 | Public Policy Analysis | 3 | None
• PP 703 | Quantitative Methods for Public Policy | 3 | None
• PP 704 | Qualitative Research Methods in Policy Studies | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PP 705 | Economics for Public Policy | 3 | None
• PP 706 | Public Administration Theory | 3 | None
• PP 707 | Policy Design & Implementation | 3 | None
• PP 708 | Ethics & Accountability in Public Policy | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PP 709 | Comparative Public Policy | 3 | None
• PP 710 | Governance, Institutions & Regulation | 3 | None
• PP 711 | Advanced Policy Evaluation | 3 | None
• PP 712 | Public Policy Research Seminar | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PP 713 | Nonprofit Policy & Governance | 3 | None
• PP 714 | Public Finance for Nonprofit Organizations | 3 | None
• PP 715 | Nonprofit Advocacy & Public Policy | 3 | None
• PP 716 | Policy Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PP 717 | Advanced Topics in Public Policy | 3 | None
• PP 718 | Social Policy & Community Development | 3 | None
• PP 719 | Grant Policy, Philanthropy & Public Funding | 3 | None
• PP 720 | Nonprofit Law & Regulatory Policy | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PP 721 | Doctoral Research Design in Public Policy | 3 | None
• PP 722 | Dissertation Proposal Seminar | 3 | Completion of core courses in Public Policy
• PP 723 | Policy Impact Assessment | 3 | None
• PP 724 | Capstone Seminar in Public Policy & Nonprofit Leadership | 3 | Completion of core courses in Public Policy and Nonprofit Leadership or equivalent graduate courses