Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Arts in Investigative Journalism, Reporting

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Arts in Investigative Journalism, Reporting

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 arts in investigative journalism and reporting 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 Arts in Investigative Journalism and Reporting is an advanced, research-focused degree designed to equip scholars and practitioners with the theoretical and methodological tools necessary for rigorous social inquiry and public communication. Through a curriculum rooted in the intersection of media ethics, historical context, and investigative methodology, the program cultivates an environment of intellectual curiosity and professional excellence. Students are encouraged to develop their capacity for truth-seeking while adhering to the highest standards of stewardship and civic engagement.
• The program emphasizes the development of original research that addresses contemporary societal challenges with a focus on institutional transparency and public discourse. By integrating a commitment to ethical integrity and servant leadership, the doctoral candidate is prepared to navigate the complexities of modern media landscapes while fostering community trust. Graduates emerge as leaders in their fields, equipped to influence public dialogue through scholarship that reflects both academic rigor and a foundational commitment to community well-being.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Arts in Investigative Journalism, Reporting is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based arts in investigative journalism, reporting theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based arts in investigative journalism, reporting-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

• 6
• RES850
• COM910
• Practicum in Investigative Reporting
• 3
• None
• EDU920
• Pedagogy for Communication Scholars
• 3
• None
• THE930
• Contemporary Ethical Issues
• 3
• None
• RES900 — Dissertation Research Phase I: Focuses on the implementation of the dissertation research proposal and initial findings synthesis. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM910 — Practicum in Investigative Reporting: Allows students to apply research methods in a field-based practicum setting. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU920 — Pedagogy for Communication Scholars: Prepares doctoral students for teaching roles at the collegiate level with a focus on ethical inquiry. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE930 — Contemporary Ethical Issues: Explores complex ethical dilemmas in the context of institutional governance and stewardship. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Finalization and Defense

• 6
• RES900
• COM960
• Advanced Seminar in Media Policy
• 3
• None
• MGT970
• Strategic Stewardship in Organizations
• 3
• None
• CHR980
• Formation for Servant Leadership
• 3
• None
• RES950 — Dissertation Finalization and Defense: Finalizes the written dissertation and prepares the student for the comprehensive final defense. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM960 — Advanced Seminar in Media Policy: Examines current trends in media policy and their impacts on institutional accountability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT970 — Strategic Stewardship in Organizations: Focuses on long-term resource management and ethical governance for organizational success. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR980 — Formation for Servant Leadership: Synthesizes spiritual formation and professional character development for the graduating scholar. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the final, mandatory capstone experience for the doctoral program, requiring a minimum of 12 credits of original research. Candidates are expected to identify a significant socio-cultural issue, develop a robust research design, and execute an exhaustive investigative project that provides new insight into the intersection of public reporting and institutional accountability. The dissertation must demonstrate the scholar's ability to synthesize advanced media theories with practical investigative applications.
• Beyond technical proficiency, the dissertation functions as a platform for the synthesis of faith-informed character development. Candidates are tasked with explicitly addressing how their research contributes to the common good, demonstrates stewardship of institutional resources, and reflects an commitment to truth-telling as a form of service. The document and oral defense are evaluated not only for their academic depth but also for their clear articulation of ethical integrity and the scholar's readiness to pursue a career marked by intellectual humility and a servant-leader mindset.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Advanced Qualitative Inquiry | 3 | None
• COM705 | Media Law and Ethical Frameworks | 3 | None
• PUB710 | Public Sector Resource Management and Advocacy | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES702 | Quantitative Data Analysis | 4 | RES701
• HIS720 | Historiography of Public Reporting | 3 | None
• COM730 | Advanced Narrative Construction | 3 | None
• ETH740 | Professional Standards and Ethical Decision-Making | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES805 | Archival Research Methodology | 4 | RES701
• COM810 | Technology in Investigative Media | 3 | None
• MGT820 | Organizational Leadership and Transparency | 3 | None
• SOC830 | Sociology of Civic Engagement and Community Identity | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES850 | Research Design and Proposal Development | 4 | RES805
• COM860 | Crisis Communication and Public Integrity | 3 | None
• HIS870 | Ethics in Historical Perspective | 3 | None
• COM880 | Media and Global Justice Issues | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES900 | Dissertation Research Phase I | 6 | RES850
• COM910 | Practicum in Investigative Reporting | 3 | None
• EDU920 | Pedagogy for Communication Scholars | 3 | None
• THE930 | Contemporary Ethical Issues | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES950 | Dissertation Finalization and Defense | 6 | RES900
• COM960 | Advanced Seminar in Media Policy | 3 | None
• MGT970 | Strategic Stewardship in Organizations | 3 | None
• CHR980 | Formation for Servant Leadership | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Investigative Researcher for Nonprofit Foundations
• University Professor of Journalism and Media Ethics
• Director of Communications for Faith-Based Organizations
• Public Policy Analyst and Investigative Writer
• Archive and Records Manager for Public Interest Groups
• Senior Editor for Social Impact Media Outlets
• Institutional Transparency Consultant

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 Arts in Investigative Journalism, Reporting
• 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 arts in investigative journalism and reporting 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