Program Overview
Degree abbreviation
Ed.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
Three to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, academic progress, and completion of the doctoral project
Advanced faith-based astronomy 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 Astronomy with a specialization in Space Education Public Outreach is an advanced research degree designed to prepare scholars for leadership roles in scientific communication and educational stewardship. The program bridges complex astrophysical concepts with pedagogical excellence, fostering a deep understanding of cosmic phenomena through the lens of ethical responsibility and community service. Students engage with both theoretical astronomy and applied public engagement strategies to foster scientific literacy in diverse populations. By integrating rigorous scientific inquiry with a commitment to societal enrichment, graduates are prepared to serve as stewards of scientific knowledge in academic, museum, and non-profit settings. This degree emphasizes the application of rigorous empirical methodologies alongside the values of servant leadership and ethical public engagement. Students are encouraged to view their scholarly work as a means of contributing to the common good, ensuring that technical expertise is balanced with a profound respect for human dignity and the complexities of the natural world. Through this interdisciplinary approach, the program cultivates leaders who can effectively communicate the wonders of the universe to the public while maintaining a strong commitment to moral integrity and community advocacy.
The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Astronomy is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based astronomy 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 astronomy-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.