Doctor of Pastoral Professional Counseling

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Professional Counseling

Total program length

120 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

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

Advanced faith-based professional counseling and specialization courses

30 credit hours

Leadership, administration, and professional practice

21 credit hours

Research methods and program evaluation

18 credit hours

Professional application and doctoral residency

15 credit hours

Advanced electives or concentration courses

12 credit hours

Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy

6 credit hours

Applied doctoral project and defense

18 credit hours

Total

120 semester credit hours

The Doctor of Faith-Based Professional Counseling program at HBI University provides a rigorous advanced curriculum designed for practitioners who aim to serve within nonprofit, ministerial, and community-based organizational contexts. The program emphasizes the intersection of behavioral science and the application of ethical, servant-leadership principles in diverse interpersonal settings. Participants engage in deep inquiry regarding human development and behavioral dynamics while developing the capacity to apply scholarly research to practical, value-driven service delivery.

Built upon a foundation of academic excellence and stewardship, the program encourages students to critically examine contemporary social challenges through an interdisciplinary lens. Scholars in this program will explore strategies for organizational capacity building, community engagement, and the development of sustainable support systems. By integrating empirical methodology with an ethical framework grounded in a Christian worldview, the curriculum prepares graduates to contribute meaningfully to the holistic well-being of their communities.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Professional Counseling is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based professional counseling 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 faith-based professional counseling-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: 120
• Duration: 3 years
• Degree Level: Doctorate

Dissertation Proposal Development

• 3
• RES800, RES820
• RES830 — Program Evaluation and Policy Analysis: Students evaluate programs and social policies to determine effectiveness and alignment with mission objectives. The course emphasizes data-driven recommendations for organizational improvement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU831 — Crisis Management and Resilience: An examination of theory and practice regarding organizational and community responses to crisis. Students identify strategies for building resilience and support systems. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT832 — Human Resource Management in Nonprofits: This course addresses the unique human resource challenges within the nonprofit and service sectors, including volunteer management and staff retention. Emphasis is placed on servant-led human capital strategies. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES833 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Students develop the formal proposal for their doctoral dissertation, including research questions, methodology, and literature review. The course facilitates faculty guidance through the planning phase. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 6
• RES833
• COU843
• Current Issues in Professional Service
• 3
• None
• COU840 — Advanced Interpersonal Dynamics: A study of interpersonal communication and relationship building in diverse service contexts. Students synthesize theory with practical application to enhance institutional cohesion and effectiveness. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE841 — Ethics and Stewardship in Modern Society: An exploration of how ethical and biblical stewardship principles inform contemporary responses to societal issues. Students evaluate the role of organizations in addressing poverty, justice, and community health. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES842 — Dissertation Research I: Students engage in independent research and writing for their dissertation under faculty supervision. This phase focuses on data collection and initial analysis of project components. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU843 — Current Issues in Professional Service: A critical examination of emerging issues affecting service-oriented and faith-based organizations. Students analyze trends in order to develop adaptable organizational responses. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research II

• 6
• RES842
• RES851

Dissertation Defense

• 3
• RES850
• COU852
• Leadership and Organizational Strategy
• 4
• None
• MGT853
• Community Engagement Strategies
• 3
• None
• RES850 — Dissertation Research II: The continuation of the dissertation research phase, focusing on final writing, manuscript completion, and preparing for the oral defense. This course ensures academic rigor in the culmination of the candidate’s project. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES851 — Dissertation Defense: The formal oral presentation and defense of the dissertation before a faculty panel, demonstrating academic proficiency and professional integration. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU852 — Leadership and Organizational Strategy: An integrative course focusing on leading service organizations with vision, ethics, and strategic planning. Students synthesize learning to address long-term sustainability goals. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT853 — Community Engagement Strategies: This course analyzes effective methods for engaging diverse community stakeholders in support of organizational missions. Students evaluate programs for outreach, inclusion, and sustained partnership development. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic experience for the Doctor of Faith-Based Professional Counseling program, requiring 12 credit hours of dedicated research and writing. This scholarly project allows students to identify, investigate, and propose solutions to a specific challenge within their field, demonstrating mastery of both research methodology and theoretical application. The scope of the dissertation must reflect a significant contribution to the student's area of practice, requiring the synthesis of existing literature with original analytical work.
• Throughout the process, students must integrate a Christian worldview, demonstrating how ethical reasoning, spiritual formation, and biblical stewardship inform their research design and conclusions. The dissertation process is mentored by faculty who oversee the development of the candidate’s ability to conduct rigorous inquiry while maintaining a commitment to character development and professional integrity. The final deliverable consists of a written manuscript and an oral defense, both of which demonstrate the candidate’s capacity to serve as a faith-informed scholarly practitioner. This project manifests the candidate’s readiness to lead with excellence and provide service that aligns with the mission of faith-based and nonprofit institutions.

Career Opportunities

• Nonprofit Program Director
• Faith-Based Organizational Consultant
• Academic Researcher in Behavioral Sciences
• Community Outreach Coordinator
• Human Services Administrator
• Director of Spiritual Formation and Development
• Leadership Coach for Faith-Based Organizations

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 | Ed.D. in Faith-Based Professional Counseling
• Total program length | 120 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 | Three to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, academic progress, and completion of the doctoral project
• Advanced faith-based professional counseling and specialization courses | 30 credit hours
• Leadership, administration, and professional practice | 21 credit hours
• Research methods and program evaluation | 18 credit hours
• Professional application and doctoral residency | 15 credit hours
• Advanced electives or concentration courses | 12 credit hours
• Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy | 6 credit hours
• Applied doctoral project and defense | 18 credit hours
• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 | None
• COU801 | Theories of Human Development | 3 | None
• THE802 | Theological Foundations of Leadership | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COU810 | Ethical Reasoning in Professional Practice | 3 | None
• RES811 | Qualitative Research Design | 3 | RES800
• MGT812 | Nonprofit Organizational Stewardship | 3 | None
• COU813 | Social Systems and Community Wellness | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES820 | Quantitative Data Analysis | 3 | RES800
• COU821 | Advanced Behavioral Interventions | 3 | COU801
• COM822 | Communication and Community Advocacy | 3 | None
• THE823 | Spiritual Formation and Character Development | 3 | THE802
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES830 | Program Evaluation and Policy Analysis | 4 | RES820
• COU831 | Crisis Management and Resilience | 3 | None
• MGT832 | Human Resource Management in Nonprofits | 3 | None
• RES833 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | RES800, RES820
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COU840 | Advanced Interpersonal Dynamics | 3 | COU813
• THE841 | Ethics and Stewardship in Modern Society | 3 | THE823
• RES842 | Dissertation Research I | 6 | RES833
• COU843 | Current Issues in Professional Service | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES850 | Dissertation Research II | 6 | RES842
• RES851 | Dissertation Defense | 3 | RES850
• COU852 | Leadership and Organizational Strategy | 4 | None
• MGT853 | Community Engagement Strategies | 3 | None