Admission Requirements
Admission and entry requirements
Candidates must possess a master's degree in a related field, alongside relevant professional experience. Applicants should also submit a statement of purpose, letters of recommendation, and evidence of academic research capability. Career Opportunities Public Policy Analyst City Manager Director of Public Administration Nonprofit Executive Director Community Development Strategist Faith-Based Organization Leader Government Consultant 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 Leadership, Administration Total program length | 87 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 leadership and administration 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 STRL 632 | Strategic Leadership and Organizational Decision-Making | 3 | Foundation Courses SPCh 500, GEN 502, GRAD 501 and MADC 500 PPLA 801 | Advanced Public Leadership Theory | 3 | None PPLA 802 | Foundations of Public Administration Research | 3 | None PPLA 803 | Quantitative Research Methods I | 3 | None PPLA 804 | Governance & Institutional Theory | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PPLA 810 | Organizational Theory in Public & Nonprofit Sectors | 3 | None PPLA 811 | Public Policy Theory & Analysis | 3 | None PPLA 812 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 | None PPLA 813 | Ethics & Accountability in Public Administration | 3 | None PPLA 820 | Advanced Public Finance & Fiscal Policy | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PPLA 821 | Human Capital & Administrative Leadership | 3 | None PPLA 823 | Comparative & Global Public Administration | 3 | None PPLA 830 | Strategic Leadership & Change Management | 3 | None PPLA 831 | Administrative Law & Regulatory Governance | 3 | None PPLA 832 | Intergovernmental & Collaborative Governance | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PPLA 833 | Advanced Policy Analysis & Decision Sciences | 3 | None PPLA 840 | Doctoral Seminar in Public Leadership | 3 | None PPLA 841 | Advanced Statistics & Data Analytics II | 3 | None PPLA 901 | Public Sector Innovation and Technology | 3 | PPLA 802 PPLA 902 | Crisis Management and Community Resilience | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PPLA 903 | Advanced Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | PPLA 812 FIPA 910 | Faith & Ethics in Public Administration | 3 | None FIPA 920 | Faith-Informed Leadership & Decision-Making | 3 | semester 5 FIPA 930 | Religion, Law, & Public Governance | 3 | None FIPA 940 | Faith, Justice, & Public Policy | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites FIPA 950 | Moral Accountability & Public Service Leadership | 3 | None FIPA 960 | Theology of Organizational Culture | 3 | None PPLA 990 | Dissertation Research and Writing | 3 | PPLA 903 PPLA 991 | Dissertation Defense and Publication Seminar | 3 | PPLA 990