Master of Science in Faith-Based Public Health in Substance Use Prevention Recovery Specialization in Nonprofit Public Health Management

Degree abbreviation

M.S. in Faith-Based Public Health in Substance Use Prevention Recovery Specialization in Nonprofit Public Health Management

Total program length

60 graduate semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Two academic years of full-time study

Academic unit

HBIU College of Addiction Counseling

Total credits

60

Duration

2 years

• Analyze complex epidemiological data regarding substance use to inform evidence-based public health interventions.
• Design comprehensive management strategies for nonprofit organizations centered on mission-driven health promotion.
• Evaluate ethical frameworks and governance models to ensure fiscal responsibility and effective servant leadership in public health settings.
• Integrate social justice and community stewardship principles into the planning and evaluation of health programs.
• Communicate evidence-based public health findings effectively to diverse stakeholders and community partners.
• Develop strategic recovery support frameworks that align with the mission and operational capacity of faith-based nonprofit organizations.
• Course Outline
• Semester 1 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• MPH 501
• Foundations of Public Health and Epidemiology
• 4
• None
• MGT 510
• Nonprofit Organizational Governance
• 4
• None
• COU 520
• Substance Use and Community Wellness
• 4
• None
• THE 505
• Ethical Leadership and Stewardship
• 3
• None
• MPH 501 — Foundations of Public Health and Epidemiology: This course covers core principles of epidemiology and public health surveillance relevant to community-based settings. Students examine population health trends and the determinants of health. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT 510 — Nonprofit Organizational Governance: An examination of the governance structures, fiscal responsibilities, and legal frameworks of nonprofit organizations. Students explore best practices for board management and fiduciary oversight. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU 520 — Substance Use and Community Wellness: This course analyzes the societal impact of substance use and the evidence-based strategies for harm reduction and recovery support. Focus is placed on creating inclusive, supportive environments within community organizations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE 505 — Ethical Leadership and Stewardship: An exploration of ethical leadership theory through the lens of servant leadership and stewardship of organizational resources. Students analyze how character formation influences management decisions. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 2 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• RES 601
• Research Methods in Public Health
• 4
• MPH 501
• MGT 615
• Financial Management for Nonprofits
• 4
• MGT 510
• SOC 625
• Social Determinants of Recovery
• 4
• COU 520
• BUS 630
• Strategic Communication for Nonprofits
• 3
• None
• RES 601 — Research Methods in Public Health: This course introduces qualitative and quantitative research methodologies for the assessment of public health needs. Students learn to design research studies that maintain academic and ethical rigor. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT 615 — Financial Management for Nonprofits: Students study the principles of financial accounting, budgeting, and resource allocation within nonprofit organizations. Emphasis is placed on transparency, sustainability, and fiscal integrity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC 625 — Social Determinants of Recovery: An examination of the social, environmental, and economic factors influencing recovery outcomes within populations. Students identify strategies to address disparities through community-based advocacy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS 630 — Strategic Communication for Nonprofits: A study of strategic communication, public relations, and stakeholder engagement in the nonprofit sector. Students develop skills in articulating organizational mission and impact. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 3 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• MPH 650
• Program Planning and Evaluation
• 4
• RES 601
• MGT 660
• Human Resource Management in Nonprofits
• 4
• MGT 510
• COU 670
• Advocacy and Policy in Public Health
• 4
• SOC 625
• MIN 680
• Integration of Faith and Public Health Service
• 3
• THE 505
• MPH 650 — Program Planning and Evaluation: Students gain expertise in designing, implementing, and evaluating health programs within the nonprofit sector. Attention is given to logic models, outcome measurement, and iterative improvement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT 660 — Human Resource Management in Nonprofits: A study of volunteer and staff management, organizational culture, and professional development in nonprofits. Students learn to foster high-performing teams rooted in organizational values. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU 670 — Advocacy and Policy in Public Health: An investigation of public health policy and the role of nonprofits in advocating for legislative and systemic change. Students engage with the ethical considerations of public policy development. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN 680 — Integration of Faith and Public Health Service: Students integrate theological reflection with public health service, emphasizing vocational stewardship and spiritual formation. Discussions focus on sustaining professional excellence over the long term. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 4 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• CAP 700
• Master's Capstone Project
• 4
• MPH 650, RES 601
• MGT 710
• Advanced Leadership and Scaling
• 4
• MGT 660
• MPH 720
• Public Health Emergency Management
• 3
• MPH 501
• BUS 730
• Nonprofit Resource Development
• 4
• MGT 615
• CAP 700 — Master's Capstone Project: The culminating project where students execute an original, community-focused initiative that addresses a substance use recovery need. The work demonstrates comprehensive integration of public health management and faith-based values. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT 710 — Advanced Leadership and Scaling: This course focuses on strategies for organizational growth, scaling public health interventions, and managing change in a nonprofit environment. Students evaluate organizational readiness and long-term sustainability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MPH 720 — Public Health Emergency Management: An introduction to emergency preparedness and resilience building within community-based organizations. Students learn to mobilize resources effectively during crises while protecting organizational mission integrity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS 730 — Nonprofit Resource Development: A study of fundraising strategies, grant writing, and development activities that sustain nonprofit public health initiatives. The course emphasizes ethical funding practices and donor relationships. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Prospective students must possess a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Applicants are required to submit a statement of purpose outlining their professional goals and commitment to nonprofit service, two letters of professional or academic recommendation, and official transcripts of all prior undergraduate and graduate work. Candidates should demonstrate foundational knowledge in the social or health sciences through completed coursework. Thesis or Capstone Project The Master’s Capstone Project serves as the culminating academic experience, requiring students to execute a comprehensive research or programmatic initiative that addresses a real-world public health challenge in substance use recovery. Students identify a specific need within a faith-based nonprofit organization, develop a research-informed strategy, and propose a sustainable management plan. This process requires the synthesis of all prior coursework, demonstrating the student’s ability to apply advanced analytics, ethical reasoning, and organizational management theories in a practical setting. Beyond technical academic competency, the project serves as an expression of the student’s faith-informed character, requiring a formal reflection on how servant leadership and biblical stewardship guide their strategic decision-making. Students must demonstrate how their proposed initiatives honor the dignity of the vulnerable and uphold the ethical mandates of their host organization. The project is assessed on its rigorous methodology, analytical depth, and its alignment with the principles of Christian ethical formation, ensuring graduates enter the field equipped with both high-level professional skills and a commitment to virtuous practice.

• To qualify for graduation, students must complete all 60 credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0. This rigorous academic path is complemented by requirements for professional integrity and spiritual maturity. Students must maintain compliance with institutional ethical standards and demonstrate active participation in community-building activities, such as directed service learning or chapel engagement, which reinforce the connection between scholarly excellence and the call to service.
• In addition to the formal coursework, the successful defense of the capstone project is mandatory. This milestone reflects the student's readiness for leadership and their ability to integrate academic research with the operational demands of nonprofit management. Final certification for graduation confirms that the student has demonstrated sufficient mastery of public health principles and possesses the moral discernment required for leadership roles that serve the common good.
• Career Opportunities
• Nonprofit Health Program Administrator
• Faith-Based Community Health Outreach Coordinator
• Substance Use Prevention Program Manager
• Nonprofit Grant Writer and Development Specialist
• Public Health Policy Analyst
• Organizational Development Consultant for Health Nonprofits
• 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.S. in Faith-Based Public Health in Substance Use Prevention Recovery Specialization in Nonprofit Public Health Management
• Total program length | 60 graduate semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Two academic years of full-time study
• Advanced faith-based public health in substance use prevention recovery 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
• MPH 501 | Foundations of Public Health and Epidemiology | 4 | None
• MGT 510 | Nonprofit Organizational Governance | 4 | None
• COU 520 | Substance Use and Community Wellness | 4 | None
• THE 505 | Ethical Leadership and Stewardship | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES 601 | Research Methods in Public Health | 4 | MPH 501
• MGT 615 | Financial Management for Nonprofits | 4 | MGT 510
• SOC 625 | Social Determinants of Recovery | 4 | COU 520
• BUS 630 | Strategic Communication for Nonprofits | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MPH 650 | Program Planning and Evaluation | 4 | RES 601
• MGT 660 | Human Resource Management in Nonprofits | 4 | MGT 510
• COU 670 | Advocacy and Policy in Public Health | 4 | SOC 625
• MIN 680 | Integration of Faith and Public Health Service | 3 | THE 505
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP 700 | Master's Capstone Project | 4 | MPH 650, RES 601
• MGT 710 | Advanced Leadership and Scaling | 4 | MGT 660
• MPH 720 | Public Health Emergency Management | 3 | MPH 501
• BUS 730 | Nonprofit Resource Development | 4 | MGT 615