Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Artificial Intelligence, Specialization in Ethics AI for Social Good

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Artificial Intelligence

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 artificial intelligence 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 Philosophy in Faith-Based Artificial Intelligence with a specialization in Ethics for Social Good is an interdisciplinary doctoral program designed to bridge the gap between advanced computational theory and the ethical imperatives of service-oriented leadership. This program equips scholars with the analytical tools to evaluate emerging technological trends through the lenses of stewardship, human dignity, and justice, ensuring that artificial intelligence is developed and deployed to enhance human flourishing and community wellness. Through a curriculum rooted in rigorous academic inquiry, students explore the intersection of technical innovation and moral responsibility. The program emphasizes the integration of faith-informed ethical reasoning into the architecture and governance of AI systems, fostering a cohort of leaders capable of addressing complex societal challenges within public, private, and nonprofit sectors. By prioritizing human-centric design, candidates contribute to a technological landscape that values the common good as a fundamental component of structural integrity.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Artificial Intelligence is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based artificial intelligence 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 artificial intelligence-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 Research I

• 4
• RES850
• AI850
• Special Topics in Ethical AI
• 3
• AI715
• MGT840
• Strategic Organizational Management
• 4
• None
• RES891

Dissertation Research II

• 3
• RES890
• RES890 — Dissertation Research I: Independent research under faculty supervision. Focuses on data collection and preliminary analysis. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• AI850 — Special Topics in Ethical AI: Analysis of current trends and controversies in artificial intelligence. Encourages critical discourse regarding the future of technology. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT840 — Strategic Organizational Management: Explores management theories for complex organizations. Focuses on scaling operations while maintaining core mission values. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES891 — Dissertation Research II: Continued research and systematic analysis of findings. Students refine their arguments and prepare for formal defense. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Defense

• 4
• RES891
• RES899
• Final Dissertation Submission
• 3
• CAP900
• LDR905
• Professional Ethics Practicum
• 3
• None
• SOC910
• Sociocultural Impacts of Emerging Technology
• 4
• MIN805, THE710
• CAP900 — Dissertation Defense: The final defense of the doctoral research before the committee. Demonstrates mastery of research, ethical application, and scholarly communication. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES899 — Final Dissertation Submission: Final review and submission of the dissertation manuscript. Includes formatting for publication and archival. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LDR905 — Professional Ethics Practicum: A final synthesis of leadership and ethical principles. Students plan their ongoing contributions to professional communities. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC910 — Sociocultural Impacts of Emerging Technology: This course investigates the intersection of technological innovation and sociocultural change, focusing on how systemic digital shifts influence human interaction and community cohesion. Students critically assess the long-term societal consequences of automated decision-making and digital connectivity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culmination of the doctoral journey, representing an original contribution to the field of AI ethics. Candidates are required to conduct independent, rigorous research that addresses a significant problem at the intersection of artificial intelligence and social good, integrating scholarly literature with empirical or design-based methodologies. This project demands a high level of academic independence, requiring students to synthesize their mastery of technical concepts with ethical maturity and a commitment to stewardship. The scope of the work must demonstrate an advanced ability to navigate the complex interplay between algorithmic efficiency and the moral implications of technological deployment in society. The deliverables include a formal defense of the dissertation before a faculty committee, followed by the submission of a publishable research manuscript that reflects both deep subject-matter expertise and a commitment to faith-informed service. Through this process, students demonstrate that their academic pursuits are matched by a character grounded in integrity, demonstrating a readiness to impact the world as responsible stewards of emerging knowledge.

Career Opportunities

• Chief Ethics Officer in Technology Firms
• Nonprofit Organization Program Director
• Policy Advisor for AI Governance
• Academic Faculty in Computing and Ethics
• Social Impact Consultant
• Research Scientist in Human-Centric AI
• Community Development Strategy Lead

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 Artificial Intelligence
• 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 artificial intelligence 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
• RES701 | Advanced Research Methodologies | 3 | None
• PHI710 | Foundations of Normative Ethics | 3 | None
• AI705 | Foundations of Artificial Intelligence | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• AI715 | Algorithmic Ethics and Bias | 4 | AI705
• SOC720 | Sociology of Technology | 3 | None
• RES710 | Statistical Analysis for Social Impact | 4 | RES701
• LDR730 | Servant Leadership in Tech | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• AI801 | Data Stewardship and Privacy | 4 | AI715
• POL810 | Public Policy and AI Governance | 3 | SOC720
• RES805 | Qualitative Inquiry for Social Good | 3 | RES701
• BUS820 | Nonprofit Resource Stewardship | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• AI815 | Human-Centric Design Thinking | 4 | AI715
• RES850 | Doctoral Dissertation Proposal | 3 | RES701, RES710
• LDR805 | Organizational Leadership and Capacity Building | 3 | THE710
• SOC830 | Community Outreach and Engagement | 4 | SOC720
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES890 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES850
• AI850 | Special Topics in Ethical AI | 3 | AI715
• MGT840 | Strategic Organizational Management | 4 | None
• RES891 | Dissertation Research II | 3 | RES890
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP900 | Dissertation Defense | 4 | RES891
• RES899 | Final Dissertation Submission | 3 | CAP900
• LDR905 | Professional Ethics Practicum | 3 | None
• SOC910 | Sociocultural Impacts of Emerging Technology | 4 | MIN805, THE710