Doctor of Faith-Based Professional Doctorate in Human, Social Services (DHSS)

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Faith-Based Professional Doctorate in Human, Social Services

Total program length

45 semester credit hours

Maximum approved transfer credit

Up to 5 semester credit hours

Minimum credits completed through the University after maximum transfer

40 semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Three to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, academic progress, and completion of the doctoral project

Advanced human and social services and specialization courses

6 credit hours

Leadership, administration, and professional practice

6 credit hours

Research methods and program evaluation

3 credit hours

Professional application and doctoral residency

3 credit hours

Advanced electives or concentration courses

6 credit hours

Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy

6 credit hours

Applied doctoral project and defense

15 credit hours

Total

45 semester credit hours

The Doctor of Faith-Based Professional Doctorate in Human, Social Services (DHSS) is a rigorous, interdisciplinary program designed to prepare scholar-practitioners for advanced roles within the human and social service sectors. The program emphasizes the intersection of professional excellence, ethical stewardship, and the practical application of faith-based principles within diverse community environments. Through an intensive study of organizational behavior, social policy, and community development, students are prepared to address complex systemic challenges with expertise and integrity. The curriculum is rooted in a tradition of servant leadership and social responsibility, ensuring that graduates are equipped to lead organizations that prioritize the holistic well-being of individuals and families. The program integrates contemporary social science research with foundational moral frameworks to foster leadership that is both analytically sound and deeply principled.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Professional Doctorate in Human, Social Services is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced human and social services knowledge, organizational leadership, ethical stewardship, program development, community-care systems, higher-education instruction, and evidence-informed professional practice.

Students may receive up to 40 semester credit hours of approved graduate or doctoral transfer credit. Accepted transfer credits are applied toward the 120-credit graduation requirement and may reduce the number of courses and the amount of time required to complete the degree. A student receiving the maximum transfer-credit award must complete at least 80 semester credit hours through the University.

The applied doctoral project must address a documented human and social services-support, educational, organizational, or community-care need. The project must include scholarly research, an implementation model, measurable outcomes, ethical safeguards, an evaluation plan, and a successful oral defense.

DOCTORAL TRANSFER-CREDIT POLICY: The Doctor of Education and Doctor of Philosophy programs each require 120 semester credit hours. Students may transfer up to 40 semester credit hours of eligible graduate or doctoral coursework toward either degree. Transfer credit is not automatically awarded. Each request is evaluated individually according to: The academic level of the previous coursework; The relevance of the coursework to the doctoral curriculum; Course content and learning outcomes; Credit-hour equivalency; Grades earned; The age of the coursework; Official institutional documentation; The University's residency and transfer-credit policies. Accepted transfer credit may reduce the number of courses and the amount of time required to complete the degree. Students awarded the maximum 40 transfer credits will have 80 semester credit hours remaining in the 120-credit doctoral program. Comprehensive examinations, doctoral candidacy, doctoral residency, the applied doctoral project, dissertation research, and the final oral defense must ordinarily be completed through the University. These requirements may not be satisfied through transfer credit unless expressly permitted under a published University policy.

Program Details

• Total Credits: 45
• Duration: 1 years
• Degree Level: Doctorate

Capstone Project Work

• 4
• MGT702
• DHSS713 — Spiritual Warfare at The Intersection: Provides a comprehensive overview of spiritual warfare at The Intersection and alignment for social service entities. Includes assessment of organizational effectiveness. This course prepares students to support the missions of faith-based, nonprofit community organizations.
• DHSS714 — Building Counseling Services and Programs : Investigates the complexities of building counseling services and programs with cultural diversity in service provision and organizational leadership. Encourages the application of grace and understanding in cross-cultural interactions. This course prepares students to support faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DHSS715 — Capstone Project Work : The capstone project work involves primary data collection and analysis under faculty mentorship. Emphasizes original research and integrity. This course prepares students to support faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation represents the culminating academic experience of the DHSS program, serving as a platform for students to conduct original research that addresses a critical need within the human or social service sector. The scope of the project requires an exhaustive investigation into a specific organizational or community-based issue, utilizing empirical research methods to propose evidence-based solutions. Students are expected to produce a high-quality dissertation that demonstrates mastery of their discipline, rigorous analytical rigor, and a clear articulation of how their findings contribute to the field’s body of knowledge.
• Throughout the process, students integrate faith-based perspectives by reflecting on how their research upholds biblical stewardship, promotes social justice, and encourages the flourishing of the communities they serve. The dissertation serves as both a demonstration of academic competence and a vehicle for faith-informed character development, requiring students to articulate the ethical and moral implications of their findings. This 12-credit requirement ensures that graduates can effectively lead through service, grounded in a mature worldview that values human dignity and professional excellence.

Career Opportunities

• Executive Director of Nonprofit Human Service Organizations
• Social Service Policy Consultant
• Community Development Administrator
• Director of Faith-Based Outreach Programs
• Human Services Organizational Strategist
• University Instructor in Social Services
• Public Policy Advisor for 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 | Faith-Based Professional Doctorate in Human, Social Services
• Total program length | 45 semester credit hours
• Maximum approved transfer credit | Up to 5 semester credit hours
• Minimum credits completed through the University after maximum transfer | 40 semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Three to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, academic progress, and completion of the doctoral project
• Advanced human and social services and specialization courses | 6 credit hours
• Leadership, administration, and professional practice | 6 credit hours
• Research methods and program evaluation | 3 credit hours
• Professional application and doctoral residency | 3 credit hours
• Advanced electives or concentration courses | 6 credit hours
• Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy | 6 credit hours
• Applied doctoral project and defense | 15 credit hours
• Total | 45 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DHSS700 | The Field of Human Services | 3 | None
• DHSS701 | Human Services Professions | 3 | None
• DHSS703 | The Holistic Approach in Human Services | 3 | None
• DHSS702 | Quality of Life, Needs and Problems | 3 | None
• DHSS704 | The bio-Psycho-Social Model in Human Services | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DHSS705 | The Bio-Ecological Model in Human Services | 3 | None
• DHSS706 | Building Human Services Organizations Legal Structure | 3 | None
• DHSS707 | Religious/Faith Based vs Secular Human Services Organizations | 3 | None
• DHSS708 | Infrastructure Development in Human Services Organizations | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DHSS709 | Leadership & Management in Human Services | 3 | None
• DHSS710 | Management Levels in Human Service Organizations | 3 | None
• DHSS711 | Funding Human Services | 3 | None
• DHSS712 | Human Services & Christian Ministry | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DHSS713 | Spiritual Warfare at The Intersection | 4 | None
• DHSS714 | Building Counseling Services and Programs | 4 | None
• DHSS715 | Capstone Project Work | 4 | MGT702