Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Theology, Education, Ministry

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Biblical Theology, Education, Ministry

Total program length

90 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 biblical theology, education, and ministry 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

Program Details

• Total Credits: 90
• Duration: -1 years
• Degree Level: PhD

Dissertation research and defense

• 18 credit hours
• Total
• 90 semester credit hours
• The Ph.D. in Biblical Theology, Education, and Ministry is designed for scholars committed to the rigorous academic study of scripture within the context of a robust Christian worldview. Students engage with advanced biblical scholarship, cultivating a deep spiritual formation that informs their pedagogical strategies and leadership paradigms. By integrating sophisticated theological inquiry with ethical reasoning, the program equips graduates to facilitate transformative educational experiences. The interdisciplinary curriculum emphasizes biblical stewardship of knowledge, preparing leaders to influence academic institutions, ecclesiastical bodies, and nonprofit organizations through the application of sound doctrine and servant leadership.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Biblical Theology, Education, Ministry is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced biblical theology, education, ministry theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of biblical theology, education, ministry-support programs.
• Students may receive up to 40 semester credit hours of approved graduate or doctoral transfer credit. Accepted transfer credits are applied toward the 90-credit graduation requirement and may reduce the student's remaining coursework and anticipated completion time. A student receiving the maximum transfer-credit award must complete at least 80 semester credit hours through the University.
• The Ph.D. requires successful completion of all required coursework, comprehensive examinations, admission to doctoral candidacy, approval of a dissertation proposal, original scholarly research, submission of an approved written dissertation, 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.

Dissertation Proposal Seminar & Prospectus Defense

• 3
• None
• PHBS 901

Dissertation Research I

• 3
• None
• PHBS 902

Dissertation Research II

• 3
• None
• PHBS 903

Dissertation Research III

• 3
• None
• PHBS 904

Dissertation Research IV

• 3
• None
• PHBS 891 — Comprehensive Exam Preparation & Reading Colloquium: Year 3, Semester 6This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHBS 892 — Dissertation Proposal Seminar & Prospectus Defense: Year 3, Semester 6This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHBS 901 — Dissertation Research I: Year 4, Semester 7 - Dissertation Research & DefenseThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHBS 902 — Dissertation Research II: Year 4, Semester 7 - Dissertation Research & DefenseThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHBS 903 — Dissertation Research III: Year 4, Semester 7 - Dissertation Research & DefenseThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHBS 904 — Dissertation Research IV: Year 4, Semester 7 - Dissertation Research & DefenseThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Research V

• 3
• None
• PHBS 906

Dissertation Defense & Publication Seminar

• 3
• None
• PHBS 905 — Dissertation Research V: Year 4, Semester 8This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHBS 906 — Dissertation Defense & Publication Seminar: Year 4, Semester 8This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Requirement

• The doctoral dissertation serves as the program's capstone, requiring original research that contributes to the advancement of biblical theology and ministry practice. Candidates must demonstrate an ability to synthesize scholarly analysis with practical ministry applications, reflecting a commitment to the mission of the Church. The research process requires the student to articulate a rigorous biblical foundation for their chosen topic, ensuring that the final work promotes the faithful stewardship of spiritual and intellectual resources. Through this scholarly endeavor, students exemplify the integration of faith and reason as they address complex challenges in modern ministry.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 90 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHBS 801 | Doctoral Research Design & Scholarly Inquiry | 3 | None
• PHBS 802 | Advanced Academic Writing for Publication | 3 | None
• PHBS 803 | Quantitative Methods for Ministry & Education Research | 3 | None
• PHBS 804 | Qualitative Research Methods (Case Study & Ethnography) | 3 | None
• PHBS 805 | Mixed Methods & Program Evaluation | 3 | None
• PHBS 806 | Statistics & Data Interpretation for Religious Research | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHBS 811 | Advanced Biblical Hermeneutics & Theological Interpretation | 3 | None
• PHBS 812 | History of Biblical Interpretation (Patristic–Modern) | 3 | None
• PHBS 813 | Old Testament Theology & Exegesis Seminar | 3 | None
• PHBS 814 | New Testament Theology & Exegesis Seminar | 3 | None
• PHBS 816 | Second Temple Judaism & Backgrounds to Early Christianity | 3 | None
• PHBS 817 | Textual Criticism & Manuscript Traditions | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHBS 818 | Research Seminar in Biblical Studies (Doctoral Colloquium) | 3 | None
• PHEDM 821 | Philosophy of Christian Education & Ministry Formation | 3 | None
• PHEDM 822 | Curriculum Design & Instructional Systems for Faith Contexts | 3 | None
• PHEDM 823 | Teaching Practicum in Higher Education (Supervised) | 3 | None
• PHEDM 824 | Assessment, Learning Outcomes & Accreditation in Theological Education | 3 | None
• PHEDM 825 | Leadership & Administration in Churches, Schools & Nonprofits | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHEDM 826 | Spiritual Formation, Discipleship & Pastoral Pedagogy | 3 | None
• PHBS 831 | Advanced Seminar I (Biblical or Ministry Elective) | 3 | None
• PHBS 832 | Advanced Seminar II (Biblical or Ministry Elective) | 3 | None
• PHBS 833 | Advanced Biblical Studies Elective | 3 | None
• PHEDM 837 | Digital Pedagogy & Online Ministry Education | 3 | None
• PHEDM 838 | Trauma-Informed Ministry & Educational Leadership | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHBS 891 | Comprehensive Exam Preparation & Reading Colloquium | 3 | None
• PHBS 892 | Dissertation Proposal Seminar & Prospectus Defense | 3 | None
• PHBS 901 | Dissertation Research I | 3 | None
• PHBS 902 | Dissertation Research II | 3 | None
• PHBS 903 | Dissertation Research III | 3 | None
• PHBS 904 | Dissertation Research IV | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHBS 905 | Dissertation Research V | 3 | None
• PHBS 906 | Dissertation Defense & Publication Seminar | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Theological Educator
• Church Leadership Development Coordinator
• Biblical Curriculum Developer
• Religious Nonprofit Administrator
• Academic Researcher in Theology
• Director of Christian Education
• Ministry 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 Biblical Theology, Education, Ministry
• Total program length | 90 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 biblical theology, education, and ministry 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