Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Addiction Counseling, Specialization in Recovery Services

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Addiction Counseling

Total program length

60 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 Addiction 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

60 semester credit hours

The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Addiction Counseling, Specialization in Recovery Services, provides advanced knowledge and practical skills necessary for clinical and systemic leadership in the field of addiction. Students engage in a rigorous study of addiction theory, intervention techniques, and restorative recovery processes, all viewed through the lens of a Christian worldview. By integrating biblical stewardship and spiritual formation with evidence-based counseling strategies, the program equips graduates to address the complexities of substance use disorders as servant leaders. The curriculum emphasizes ethical reasoning rooted in divine truth, multicultural competency, and scholarly inquiry, ensuring that graduates are prepared to serve communities with excellence, integrity, and a commitment to the healing power of the Gospel.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Addiction Counseling is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based addiction 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 60-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 addiction 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: 60
• Duration: 2 years
• Degree Level: Doctorate

Dissertation Requirement

• The capstone requirement for the program consists of a 9-credit doctoral dissertation, which serves as the culmination of the student's research and scholarly development. This project must demonstrate an advanced ability to integrate addiction theory with faith-based perspectives, addressing a significant problem or research question within the field of recovery services. Students are expected to conduct original research that reflects a commitment to both academic rigor and the ethical principles of servant leadership. The dissertation process guides candidates in contributing meaningful knowledge to the profession, utilizing evidence-based methodologies to advance the practice of faith-informed counseling.

Career Opportunities

• Licensed Addiction Counselor
• Clinical Director in an Addiction Treatment Facility
• Substance Abuse Program Coordinator
• Addiction Policy Analyst
• Recovery Support Services Manager
• Behavioral Health Consultant
• Researcher in Addiction Studies

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 Addiction Counseling
• Total program length | 60 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 Addiction 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 | 60 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DAC 701 | Advanced Theory of Addiction | 3 | None
• DAC 702 | Neurobiology of Substance Use Disorders | 3 | None
• DAC 703 | Ethics, Law & Professional Practice in Addiction Counseling | 3 | None
• DAC 704 | Cultural, Social & Global Perspectives on Addiction | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DAC 705 | Leadership & Administration in Behavioral Health Systems | 3 | Semester 4
• DAC 706 | Contemporary Issues in Addiction Counseling | 3 | None
• DAC 711 | Evidence-Based Practices in Addiction Treatment | 3 | None
• DAC 712 | Co-Occurring Disorders & Integrated Care | 3 | Semester 4
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DAC 713 | Family Systems & Addiction | 3 | None
• DAC 714 | Trauma, Stress & Addiction Recovery | 3 | None
• DAC 715 | Prevention Science & Public Health Approaches to Addiction | 3 | None
• DAC 716 | Policy, Advocacy & Ethics in Addiction Services | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES 721D | Advanced Quantitative Research Methods | 3 | Completion of foundational research methods course or equivalent
• RES 722D | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | 3 | None
• RES 723D | Statistics & Data Analysis for Behavioral Health | 3 | None
• RES 724D | Program Evaluation & Outcomes Assessment | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES 725D | Scholarly Writing, Grant Development & Publication | 3 | None
• DAC 901 | Doctoral Research & Proposal Development | 3 | None
• DAC 902 | Applied Doctoral Project or Dissertation Research | 3 | Completion of all core coursework in the Doctor of Addiction Counseling program.
• DAC 903 | Doctoral Capstone Defense & Dissemination | 3 | Completion of all coursework in the Doctor of Addiction Counseling program