Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Addiction Counseling Specialization in Clinical Psychology &Spirituality Care Systems

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Addiction Counseling Specialization in Clinical Psychology & Spirituality Care Systems

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

Four to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, research progress, and dissertation completion

Advanced faith-based addiction counseling 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: 120
• Duration: 3 years
• Degree Level: PhD

Dissertation research and defense

• 18 credit hours
• Total
• 120 semester credit hours
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Addiction Counseling with a specialization in Clinical Psychology and Spirituality Care Systems is a rigorous, research-oriented degree program designed for advanced scholars and practitioners. The program synthesizes evidence-based counseling methodologies with a robust understanding of spiritual formation, ethics, and community stewardship. Scholars are trained to navigate the complex intersection of mental health and spiritual wellness, fostering the development of transformative leadership capacities that address substance use disorders within diverse population groups. Through advanced theoretical study and scholarly inquiry, students develop the analytical tools necessary to contribute original research to the field of addiction sciences. The curriculum emphasizes the application of rigorous scientific standards alongside the principles of servant leadership, ensuring that graduates are well-equipped to guide organizations through complex psychosocial and spiritual challenges. By prioritizing ethical integrity and evidence-informed practice, the program prepares individuals to serve as intellectual leaders in clinical, academic, and community-based contexts.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Addiction Counseling Specialization in Clinical Psychology & Spirituality Care Systems is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based addiction counseling theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based addiction counseling-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 120-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 Research Phase I

• 4
• RES820
• PSY855
• Advanced Topics in Crisis Intervention
• 3
• None
• COU860
• Cross-Cultural Behavioral Health
• 3
• None
• RES865
• Advanced Data Synthesis Seminar
• 3
• RES820
• DIS850 — Dissertation Research Phase I: The first phase of the formal dissertation, involving intensive data collection and initial analysis. Facilitated by faculty mentorship. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY855 — Advanced Topics in Crisis Intervention: Studies models of crisis response in high-stress, community-based environments. Focuses on stabilization and long-term care pathways. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU860 — Cross-Cultural Behavioral Health: Examines cultural competencies and sensitivities required to serve diverse populations effectively. Emphasizes inclusive, servant-hearted care. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES865 — Advanced Data Synthesis Seminar: Focuses on synthesizing large datasets and conceptual frameworks into actionable research outcomes. Prepares students for public scholarly communication. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Final Defense

• 4
• DIS850
• PSY870
• Consultation and Program Evaluation
• 3
• None
• COU875
• Ethics and Professional Stewardship
• 3
• None
• MIN880
• Future Trends in Integrated Care
• 3
• None
• DIS899 — Dissertation Final Defense: Final synthesis of research, drafting of the dissertation document, and formal oral defense before a faculty committee. Represents the culmination of scholarly work. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY870 — Consultation and Program Evaluation: Applies evaluative research to assess the impact and efficacy of nonprofit community programs. Emphasizes continuous organizational improvement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU875 — Ethics and Professional Stewardship: Integrates clinical ethics with long-term professional stewardship and organizational leadership goals. Focuses on sustaining service-oriented impacts. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN880 — Future Trends in Integrated Care: Explores emerging trends in the intersection of psychology, addiction recovery, and community care systems. Focuses on future strategic direction. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culmination of the PhD program, representing an original contribution to the field of addiction counseling and spiritual care. Students are expected to conduct rigorous, independent research that addresses a significant problem in the field, utilizing advanced qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods approaches. This capstone project requires the candidate to demonstrate a mastery of psychological theory, a critical understanding of spiritual interventions, and an adherence to the highest standards of academic integrity and ethical research practice.
• Throughout the dissertation process, students integrate a Christian worldview by reflecting on the ethical implications of their research for marginalized populations and the broader community. The project must articulate how scholarly inquiry can serve as an act of stewardship, moving beyond theoretical analysis to offer practical, compassionate solutions for those struggling with addiction. Deliverables include a comprehensive proposal, a successfully defended doctoral dissertation, and a manuscript prepared for submission to a peer-reviewed academic journal, demonstrating the student’s readiness to serve as a leader in both research and community-based ministry.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Advanced Quantitative Research Methods | 3 | None
• PSY705 | Psychological Foundations of Addiction | 3 | None
• PSY710 | Psychological Resilience and Trauma Recovery | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES715 | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | 3 | RES700
• PSY720 | Advanced Psychopathology and Integrative Health | 4 | PSY705
• COU725 | Systems-Oriented Care Strategies | 3 | None
• MIN730 | Leadership and Stewardship in Nonprofits | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Doctoral Research Seminar I | 4 | RES715
• PSY805 | Neuropsychology of Addiction | 3 | PSY720
• COU810 | Ethics in Integrated Care | 3 | None
• SOC815 | Community Resilience and Outreach | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES820 | Doctoral Research Seminar II | 4 | RES800
• COU825 | Comprehensive Psychosocial Assessment | 3 | PSY805
• COU830 | Public Policy and Behavioral Health | 3 | None
• SOC835 | Professional Ethics and Personal Leadership Development | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS850 | Dissertation Research Phase I | 4 | RES820
• PSY855 | Advanced Topics in Crisis Intervention | 3 | None
• COU860 | Cross-Cultural Behavioral Health | 3 | None
• RES865 | Advanced Data Synthesis Seminar | 3 | RES820
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS899 | Dissertation Final Defense | 4 | DIS850
• PSY870 | Consultation and Program Evaluation | 3 | None
• COU875 | Ethics and Professional Stewardship | 3 | None
• MIN880 | Future Trends in Integrated Care | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Director of Behavioral Health Services
• Academic Researcher in Addiction Sciences
• Clinical Program Developer for Faith-Based Nonprofits
• University Professor of Counseling or Psychology
• Consultant for Community Wellness and Spiritual Care Initiatives
• Administrator of Faith-Informed Recovery Programs
• Policy Advisor for Public Health and Community Engagement

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 Faith-Based Addiction Counseling Specialization in Clinical Psychology & Spirituality Care Systems
• 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 | Four to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, research progress, and dissertation completion
• Advanced faith-based addiction counseling 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