Doctor of Philosophy in Clinical Pastoral Education, Specialization in Religious Education

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Clinical Pastoral Education, Specialization in Religious Education

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 clinical pastoral education and religious education 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 Philosophy in Clinical Pastoral Education with a specialization in Religious Education is a rigorous, research-oriented degree designed for advanced practitioners and scholars. The program provides a comprehensive framework for exploring the intersections of clinical methodology, pedagogical theory, and the complexities of human development within the context of communal organizational settings. Students engage in high-level inquiry to refine their professional practice, utilizing interdisciplinary approaches that merge historical analysis, social science research, and educational design.

Rooted in an academic environment that emphasizes servant leadership and ethical stewardship, the program encourages students to examine the theoretical underpinnings of educational systems. Candidates develop the capacity to lead within diverse institutional environments, fostering professional expertise that balances empirical rigor with the values of community service and integrity. Through sustained academic effort, graduates gain the analytical tools necessary to contribute meaningful knowledge to the field of religious education and pastoral leadership.

The Doctor of Education in Clinical Pastoral Education, Specialization in Religious Education is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced clinical pastoral education and religious education 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 clinical pastoral education and religious education-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 Seminar

• 3
• RES700, RES805
• CHR835
• Global Perspectives on Religious Education
• 3
• None
• MGT820 — Strategic Planning for Educational Programs: Students apply strategic management principles to the lifecycle of educational and social initiatives. The course emphasizes visionary leadership, risk management, and the alignment of mission with organizational output. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU825 — Instructional Leadership and Mentoring: Focusing on the development of professional staff, this course provides strategies for effective supervision, mentoring, and personnel development. Students explore how to cultivate collaborative cultures within organizations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES830 — Dissertation Proposal Seminar: In this seminar, students develop their research prospectus, including problem statement, literature review, and methodology. The course facilitates iterative feedback and peer review to strengthen research focus. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR835 — Global Perspectives on Religious Education: This course provides a comparative analysis of international educational models within religious traditions. Students evaluate the impact of cultural context on the delivery and effectiveness of education. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Capstone Integration: Educational Systems

• 3
• All Core Courses
• MGT870
• Leadership and Public Engagement
• 3
• MGT820
• RES875
• Scholarly Publication and Dissemination
• 3
• RES860
• RES860 — Advanced Dissertation Research II: Students complete the writing, final analysis, and successful defense of their dissertation. This culminating experience confirms the student's ability to conduct independent, scholarly work of professional quality. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU865 — Capstone Integration: Educational Systems: This capstone course requires students to synthesize all learning outcomes into a project demonstrating advanced institutional design. Students present their findings in a format suitable for professional dissemination. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT870 — Leadership and Public Engagement: This final management course explores the role of educational leaders in public engagement and community relations. Students develop strategies for building sustainable partnerships with stakeholders. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES875 — Scholarly Publication and Dissemination: Students learn to navigate the process of scholarly publication, including manuscript submission and peer review. The course focuses on contributing original knowledge to the broader academic community. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic experience of the doctoral program, requiring students to execute an original, substantive research project that advances knowledge within the field of religious education. Students identify a significant scholarly gap, formulate a rigorous research question, and apply advanced methodologies to produce a high-quality manuscript. The project is designed to assess the candidate's ability to engage in independent, scholarly inquiry that adheres to the highest standards of academic integrity and disciplinary excellence.
• Beyond technical competence, the dissertation process provides a venue for the integration of faith-informed character development and ethical application. Candidates demonstrate servant leadership by grounding their research in service-oriented frameworks that address the genuine needs of organizations. Through this work, students articulate how their findings reflect principles of biblical stewardship and ethical responsibility, showcasing their development as both sophisticated researchers and practitioners dedicated to the stewardship of their intellectual and spiritual gifts.

Career Opportunities

• Director of Religious Education in academic or communal settings
• Seminary Administrator
• Nonprofit Organizational Consultant
• Clinical Program Coordinator for faith-based services
• Institutional Research Specialist
• Curriculum Designer for religious and community organizations
• Academic Faculty in higher education
• Denominational Leadership and Strategic Advisor

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 Clinical Pastoral Education, Specialization in Religious Education
• 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 clinical pastoral education and religious education 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
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methodology | 4 | None
• EDU705 | Pedagogical Theory and Practice | 3 | None
• THE710 | Theology of Community Leadership | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES715 | Advanced Statistical Analysis | 4 | RES700
• COU720 | Human Development in Organizational Contexts | 3 | None
• EDU725 | Educational Assessment and Program Evaluation | 3 | None
• MGT730 | Nonprofit Resource Stewardship | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• EDU800 | Advanced Instructional Design | 4 | EDU705
• RES805 | Qualitative Research Inquiry | 3 | RES700
• THE810 | Ethics and Public Policy in Education | 3 | THE710
• COU815 | Social Psychology of Groups | 3 | COU720
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MGT820 | Strategic Planning for Educational Programs | 4 | MGT730
• EDU825 | Instructional Leadership and Mentoring | 3 | EDU705
• RES830 | Dissertation Proposal Seminar | 3 | RES700, RES805
• CHR835 | Global Perspectives on Religious Education | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES840 | Advanced Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES830
• EDU845 | Educational Technology and Innovation | 3 | None
• MGT850 | Organizational Culture and Change | 3 | MGT820
• THE855 | Integration Seminar in Faith and Praxis | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES860 | Advanced Dissertation Research II | 4 | RES840
• EDU865 | Capstone Integration: Educational Systems | 3 | All Core Courses
• MGT870 | Leadership and Public Engagement | 3 | MGT820
• RES875 | Scholarly Publication and Dissemination | 3 | RES860