Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Astronomy, Specialization in Space Education

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Astronomy

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 astronomy 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 Astronomy with a specialization in Space Education is an advanced research-oriented degree designed to integrate rigorous scientific inquiry with ethical stewardship and servant leadership. The program focuses on the intersection of astrophysical discovery and educational pedagogy, encouraging students to consider the vastness of the cosmos through a lens of intellectual humility and social responsibility. Students engage in interdisciplinary coursework that emphasizes both technical astronomical knowledge and the dissemination of these complex concepts within diverse community and educational settings. By fostering an environment of collaborative research, the curriculum supports the development of scholars who are equipped to address the challenges of modern space literacy. This doctoral program serves as a foundation for candidates to become leaders who bridge the gap between empirical discovery and the humanistic values essential for community flourishing. Through advanced inquiry, scholars examine the pedagogical strategies required to convey astronomical advancements effectively, ensuring that education remains accessible, impactful, and rooted in the principles of ethical service.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Astronomy is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based astronomy theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based astronomy-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
• RES860
• EDU910
• Advanced Practicum in Education
• 3
• EDU820
• ENV920
• Environmental Ethics and Global Sustainability
• 3
• None
• AST930
• Contemporary Topics in Astronomy
• 3
• AST830
• DIS901 — Dissertation Research Phase I: The student executes the approved research plan under the direction of the dissertation committee chair. Focuses on data collection and initial analysis. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU910 — Advanced Practicum in Education: Provides a hands-on experience in leading educational programs or training sessions within a community setting. Integrates theory into field application. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ENV920 — Environmental Ethics and Global Sustainability: This course explores the intersection of human activity and natural ecosystems, focusing on normative frameworks for responsible environmental management and conservation policy. Students examine how systematic resource stewardship impacts long-term organizational viability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• AST930 — Contemporary Topics in Astronomy: A literature-driven course focusing on the most recent findings in astrophysics and their implications for educational programming. Encourages critical synthesis of new data. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Completion and Defense

• 4
• DIS901
• EDU950
• Leadership Capstone Seminar
• 3
• EDU910
• SOC960
• Community Engagement and Social Policy
• 3
• None
• BUS970
• Strategic Planning for Educational Growth
• 3
• MGT850
• DIS902 — Dissertation Completion and Defense: The student finalizes the dissertation, prepares for the oral defense, and integrates feedback from the committee to complete the terminal degree requirements. Demonstrates academic and ethical mastery. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU950 — Leadership Capstone Seminar: Reflects on the synthesis of leadership, education, and ethical practice developed throughout the program. Students define their professional philosophy of service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC960 — Community Engagement and Social Policy: Examines the intersection of educational programming and social policy in fostering resilient, community-centered science outreach. Discusses advocacy strategies. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS970 — Strategic Planning for Educational Growth: Focuses on strategic mapping, vision casting, and resource allocation to grow science education programs within mission-aligned environments. Promotes stewardship of 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 Doctor of Philosophy, requiring the candidate to conduct original research that addresses a critical gap in space education. The project must demonstrate high-level synthesis of astronomical knowledge, pedagogical theory, and ethical reasoning. The dissertation process involves the identification of a research problem, the implementation of rigorous methodology, and the presentation of findings that contribute to the scholarly community. Students are expected to produce a document of publishable quality that reflects critical thinking and professional competence. Beyond academic rigor, the dissertation provides a platform for students to demonstrate their commitment to biblical stewardship and servant leadership by addressing how their research can serve the common good and empower marginalized communities. Candidates must defend their findings before a faculty committee, articulating how their work reflects a life of integrity, spiritual formation, and the professional application of the university's values. This project ensures that graduates leave with both the intellectual capacity and the character development necessary to influence their field with wisdom and purpose.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Research Methods in Astronomy Education | 4 | None
• EDU710 | Foundations of Servant Leadership in Education | 3 | None
• AST720 | Advanced Astrophysical Concepts | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• EDU730 | Pedagogy for Diverse Populations | 3 | EDU710
• RES750 | Quantitative Data Analysis for Social Science | 3 | RES701
• AST740 | Space Literacy and Public Engagement | 3 | AST720
• ETH760 | Ethical Stewardship in Science and Technology | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES805 | Advanced Qualitative Inquiry | 3 | RES701
• EDU820 | Curriculum Design in Space Education | 3 | EDU730
• AST830 | Stellar Dynamics and Cosmic Models | 3 | AST720
• MGT850 | Organizational Leadership in Non-Profits | 3 | EDU710
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES860 | Doctoral Research Seminar | 4 | RES805
• EDU870 | Digital Learning Technologies | 3 | EDU820
• HIS880 | History of Science and Cultural Worldviews | 3 | None
• COM890 | Advanced Scholarly Communication | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS901 | Dissertation Research Phase I | 4 | RES860
• EDU910 | Advanced Practicum in Education | 3 | EDU820
• ENV920 | Environmental Ethics and Global Sustainability | 3 | None
• AST930 | Contemporary Topics in Astronomy | 3 | AST830
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS902 | Dissertation Completion and Defense | 4 | DIS901
• EDU950 | Leadership Capstone Seminar | 3 | EDU910
• SOC960 | Community Engagement and Social Policy | 3 | None
• BUS970 | Strategic Planning for Educational Growth | 3 | MGT850

Career Opportunities

• Director of Educational Outreach for Science Museums
• Curriculum Developer for Faith-Based Academic Institutions
• Consultant for Community-Based STEM Educational Initiatives
• University Professor of Astronomy and Science Education
• Director of Research for Non-Profit Educational Foundations
• Policy Advisor for Community Science Advocacy Groups

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 Astronomy
• 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 astronomy 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