Certificate in Faith Based Divinity 101

Total program length

18 semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Six to nine months

General education

Not required

Professional application courses

3 credit hours

Academic unit

HBIU Training Institute

Total credits

18

Duration

1 years

• Analyze foundational theological texts to interpret their relevance to contemporary societal issues.
• Apply principles of servant leadership to professional and volunteer service environments.
• Evaluate ethical decision-making frameworks within the context of Christian stewardship.
• Communicate complex concepts clearly through written and oral presentations for diverse audiences.
• Develop a strategic plan for a community-based project that reflects institutional mission and values.
• Integrate spiritual formation practices into daily leadership routines to ensure personal and professional character growth.
• Course Outline
• Semester 1 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• THE101
• Foundations of Theological Inquiry
• 2
• None
• MIN105
• Principles of Servant Leadership
• 3
• None
• COM110
• Professional Communication
• 2
• None
• CHR120
• Ethical Reasoning and Character
• 3
• None
• THE101 — Foundations of Theological Inquiry: This course explores the foundational methods of interpreting sacred texts and their historical context. It emphasizes critical reading skills for complex academic material. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN105 — Principles of Servant Leadership: This course examines leadership models focused on service, empathy, and organizational stewardship. Students analyze various styles of leadership within nonprofit settings. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM110 — Professional Communication: Students develop written and oral communication skills necessary for professional environments. The course focuses on clarity, tone, and effective public speaking. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR120 — Ethical Reasoning and Character: This course addresses the development of moral frameworks and the cultivation of personal and professional integrity. It explores the relationship between ethics and community service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 2 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• SOC210
• Community Engagement
• 2
• MIN105
• RES220
• Stewardship and Resource Management
• 2
• CHR120
• THE230
• Spiritual Formation
• 2
• THE101
• CAP250
• Capstone Project
• 2
• Completion of all other program courses
• SOC210 — Community Engagement: This course studies the dynamics of community development and social responsibility. Students assess local needs and effective responses within the nonprofit sector. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES220 — Stewardship and Resource Management: This course provides an overview of managing organizational resources, time, and human capital with a focus on accountability. It introduces basic organizational planning strategies. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE230 — Spiritual Formation: This course integrates personal spiritual practices with professional habits to encourage long-term sustainability in service. It focuses on personal wellness and character maintenance. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP250 — Capstone Project: Students complete a final project demonstrating the application of theological and professional knowledge. This capstone requires the synthesis of all course learning in a community-based project proposal. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Applicants for the Certificate in Faith Based Divinity 101 must possess a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent. Candidates are evaluated based on their commitment to academic inquiry, their personal statement regarding professional service goals, and their ability to engage with the rigors of postsecondary study. No prior advanced theological training is required for admission. Culminating Project The Capstone Project serves as the culminating academic experience for the Certificate in Faith Based Divinity 101, requiring students to synthesize their learning into a substantive final project. This project challenges students to identify a specific organizational or community need and design an actionable, ethical response grounded in servant leadership. Students are expected to produce a formal research paper or a professional project portfolio that articulates their methodology, evidence-based reasoning, and faith-informed approach to problem-solving. Through this project, students demonstrate their ability to apply a Christian worldview to real-world challenges, highlighting themes of stewardship, social responsibility, and ethical integrity. The project deliverables serve as evidence of the student’s academic competence and spiritual maturity, showcasing their readiness to lead with compassion and critical foresight. This final integration ensures that the student’s work is not only intellectually rigorous but also character-driven and service-oriented.

• Graduation from the certificate program requires the successful completion of 18 credit hours with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0. In addition to academic coursework, students must demonstrate satisfactory performance in their Capstone Project, confirming their ability to apply programmatic concepts to professional or community service settings. Academic achievement is viewed as a prerequisite for effective service, and students must exhibit high standards of intellectual integrity throughout their tenure.
• Beyond academic requirements, students are encouraged to engage in spiritual formation activities, including regular community service and character development workshops. These requirements ensure that graduates emerge not only with specialized knowledge but also with the maturity and moral character necessary for sustained, faith-informed service. Graduation marks a transition toward becoming a steward of professional excellence within nonprofit and community-centered environments.
• Career Opportunities
• Community Outreach Coordinator
• Nonprofit Administrative Assistant
• Faith-Based Youth Program Facilitator
• Church Operations Assistant
• Volunteer Services Coordinator
• Mission Field Logistics Planner
• Ministry Operations Specialist
• 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.
• Credential abbreviation | Certificate in Faith Based Divinity 101
• Total program length | 18 semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Six to nine months
• General education | Not required
• Foundational faith based divinity courses | 12 credit hours
• Professional application courses | 3 credit hours
• Final applied project | 3 credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• THE101 | Foundations of Theological Inquiry | 2 | None
• MIN105 | Principles of Servant Leadership | 3 | None
• COM110 | Professional Communication | 2 | None
• CHR120 | Ethical Reasoning and Character | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• SOC210 | Community Engagement | 2 | MIN105
• RES220 | Stewardship and Resource Management | 2 | CHR120
• THE230 | Spiritual Formation | 2 | THE101
• CAP250 | Capstone Project | 2 | Completion of all other program courses