Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based artificial Intelligence Studies, Specialization in Human Rights Security

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Artificial Intelligence Studies

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 studies 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 Studies, Specialization in Human Rights Security, provides a rigorous scholarly framework for examining the intersection of emerging computational technologies and ethical societal governance. Students engage in advanced inquiry regarding the development and deployment of automated systems, focusing on the preservation of fundamental human dignity and the promotion of justice within digital ecosystems. Through interdisciplinary research and theoretical analysis, candidates investigate how algorithmic decision-making impacts vulnerable populations and global human rights frameworks. The curriculum emphasizes the cultivation of discernment, technical proficiency, and ethical leadership to address the challenges of the digital age. By integrating scholarly inquiry with foundational principles of servant leadership and stewardship, the program empowers graduates to serve as academic leaders and policy advisors. Students explore the philosophical foundations of intelligence, the socio-technical implications of machine learning, and the regulatory challenges presented by autonomous systems in a globalized context.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Artificial Intelligence Studies is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based artificial intelligence studies 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 studies-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 Data Analysis and Synthesis

• 4
• RES802
• EDU870
• Mentorship in Technical Ethics
• 4
• None
• HIS880
• Advocacy for Digital Human Rights
• 4
• None
• MIN895
• Community Engagement Seminar
• 3
• None
• RES890 — Dissertation Data Analysis and Synthesis: Candidates conduct independent research, analyzing data according to their approved dissertation proposal. Faculty provide oversight to ensure empirical rigor. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU870 — Mentorship in Technical Ethics: Focuses on pedagogical approaches to teaching ethics and technology to diverse audiences. Prepares students to mentor future leaders in their respective fields. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HIS880 — Advocacy for Digital Human Rights: Analyzes past social movements that advocated for rights in times of disruption and applies these lessons to the AI era. Students plan their own advocacy research projects. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN895 — Community Engagement Seminar: Requires participation in community service projects that utilize technical or advisory skills to aid local organizations. Reflects on the synthesis of work and faith-based values. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Defense and Final Revision

• 4
• RES890
• RES910
• Advanced Qualitative Inquiry
• 4
• None
• BUS920
• Professional Ethics and Organizational Accountability
• 4
• None
• MGT930
• Executive Leadership in Technology Strategy
• 3
• None
• CAP900 — Dissertation Defense and Final Revision: Students finalize their dissertation manuscript and perform a formal oral defense before a faculty committee. Completion marks the culmination of the doctoral program. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES910 — Advanced Qualitative Inquiry: Explores phenomenological and case-study approaches to researching human-technology interaction. Provides advanced tools for deep analysis of organizational challenges. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS920 — Professional Ethics and Organizational Accountability: This course explores the frameworks of professional integrity, corporate responsibility, and ethical decision-making within global technological industries. It emphasizes the development of objective standards for institutional conduct and the application of normative ethical theories in complex workplace environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT930 — Executive Leadership in Technology Strategy: Synthesizes management theory and technical knowledge to prepare students for top-level decision-making roles. Focuses on the strategic oversight of technological assets. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic experience for the doctoral candidate, representing an original contribution to the field of AI and human rights security. Students must conduct primary research that synthesizes technical innovation with robust ethical inquiry, addressing a specific security challenge or human rights concern. The project requires the student to document the research process, theoretical framework, methodology, and empirical findings in a comprehensive volume that undergoes rigorous faculty defense. Through this process, students integrate a faith-informed worldview, ensuring that their research reflects principles of justice, servant leadership, and the responsible stewardship of human-centric technology. By connecting their findings to practical application, students demonstrate that their academic excellence is rooted in an enduring commitment to character development and societal benefit.

Career Opportunities

• AI Ethics Policy Consultant
• Director of Technology Governance for Nonprofits
• Human Rights Data Scientist
• Digital Security Strategy Advisor
• Faith-Based Academic Researcher
• Community Advocacy Technology Liaison
• Institutional Integrity Officer

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 Artificial Intelligence Studies
• 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 studies 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 Methodology | 3 | None
• THE710 | Ethical Foundations of Artificial Intelligence | 3 | None
• HIS720 | Technology and Global Human Rights | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES705 | Statistical Analysis for Social Impacts | 4 | RES701
• CRJ730 | Data Privacy and Civil Security | 3 | None
• MIN740 | Stewardship in Digital Leadership | 3 | None
• COM750 | Academic Communication and Advocacy | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES801 | Advanced Dissertation Seminar I | 4 | RES701, RES705
• SOC810 | AI, Labor, and Global Equity | 4 | None
• BUS820 | Technological Risk Management | 4 | None
• THE830 | Human Dignity in an Algorithmic Age | 3 | THE710
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES802 | Advanced Dissertation Seminar II | 4 | RES801
• MGT840 | Governance and Institutional Integrity | 4 | None
• HUM850 | Cross-Cultural Digital Perspectives | 4 | None
• CRJ860 | Policy Analysis for Digital Security | 3 | CRJ730
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES890 | Dissertation Data Analysis and Synthesis | 4 | RES802
• EDU870 | Mentorship in Technical Ethics | 4 | None
• HIS880 | Advocacy for Digital Human Rights | 4 | None
• MIN895 | Community Engagement Seminar | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP900 | Dissertation Defense and Final Revision | 4 | RES890
• RES910 | Advanced Qualitative Inquiry | 4 | None
• BUS920 | Professional Ethics and Organizational Accountability | 4 | None
• MGT930 | Executive Leadership in Technology Strategy | 3 | None