Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Clinical Pastoral Education

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Clinical Pastoral Education

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 Clinical Pastoral Education 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 Clinical Pastoral Education is an advanced research degree designed for scholars and practitioners who seek to integrate psychological theory, theological reflection, and clinical methodology. The curriculum provides a rigorous academic foundation in the social sciences, emphasizing the intersection of pastoral care and therapeutic intervention. Through advanced study, students engage in systematic inquiry to address the complex challenges faced by individuals within diverse institutional and community environments.
• Built upon a commitment to servant leadership and ethical stewardship, the program facilitates deep exploration into the historical, theoretical, and practical frameworks of pastoral counseling. Students are encouraged to develop a sophisticated understanding of human behavior through the lens of academic research and faith-informed perspectives. This degree prepares graduates to contribute original scholarship to the field while maintaining a focus on community welfare and organizational health.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Clinical Pastoral Education is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based clinical pastoral education theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based clinical pastoral education-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 Prospectus Development

• 4
• RES702
• COU810
• Contemporary Models of Counseling
• 3
• None
• SOC825
• Sociology of Faith and Community
• 3
• None
• THE840
• Spiritual Formation and Character
• 3
• None
• RES800 — Dissertation Prospectus Development: Guiding students through the formalization of their research questions and methodology for their final project. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU810 — Contemporary Models of Counseling: Critically evaluates modern psychotherapeutic models and their compatibility with pastoral care. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC825 — Sociology of Faith and Community: An analysis of the role of faith-based communities in addressing social issues and collective well-being. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE840 — Spiritual Formation and Character: Examines the historical and practical dimensions of spiritual formation in the context of institutional leadership. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Writing Seminar I

• 4
• RES800
• COU895
• Advanced Supervised Practice
• 4
• None
• EDU880
• Teaching and Pedagogy in Higher Education
• 3
• None
• THE890
• Applied Theology for Institutional Contexts
• 3
• None
• RES890 — Dissertation Writing Seminar I: Structured support and review for the initial phase of drafting the dissertation document. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU895 — Advanced Supervised Practice: Clinical and professional field experience focusing on the integration of theory and practice. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU880 — Teaching and Pedagogy in Higher Education: Principles of effective instruction for graduate-level and adult learners in professional settings. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE890 — Applied Theology for Institutional Contexts: Applying theological concepts to current societal and organizational issues. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Writing Seminar II

• 8
• RES890
• COU900
• Professional Development Seminar
• 3
• None
• SOC910
• Community Outreach and Policy
• 3
• None
• CAP950
• Comprehensive Doctoral Exam
• 4
• All prior coursework
• RES899 — Dissertation Writing Seminar II: Final synthesis of the dissertation project, including the defense preparation and submission process. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU900 — Professional Development Seminar: Preparation for professional roles in research, ministry, and organizational leadership upon graduation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC910 — Community Outreach and Policy: Strategic analysis of policy issues affecting faith-based and community service programs. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP950 — Comprehensive Doctoral Exam: Assessment of the cumulative knowledge and integration of concepts mastered during the program. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic experience for the PhD program, requiring students to produce an original, rigorous, and substantive body of research that makes a significant contribution to the field of clinical pastoral education. This project demands the application of advanced methodology to investigate complex issues, demonstrating the student's capability for independent scholarly inquiry and critical analysis. The dissertation is weighted at 12 credit hours, representing the final stage of academic development.
• Beyond technical academic competence, the dissertation is designed as a vehicle for integrating faith-based perspectives with disciplinary research. Candidates are expected to frame their inquiries through the lenses of ethical stewardship, spiritual formation, and servant leadership, ensuring that their scholarly work reflects a commitment to the public good. This integration ensures that the research not only serves the academic community but also provides practical value to faith-based organizations and their missions of community support.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | 3 | None
• THE705 | Theology of Human Development | 3 | None
• COU710 | Clinical Systems Theory | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES702 | Advanced Quantitative Research Methods | 3 | RES701
• THE715 | Ethics in Pastoral Ministry | 4 | None
• COU720 | Trauma-Informed Pastoral Care | 3 | None
• EDU730 | Leadership in Nonprofits | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Dissertation Prospectus Development | 4 | RES702
• COU810 | Contemporary Models of Counseling | 3 | None
• SOC825 | Sociology of Faith and Community | 3 | None
• THE840 | Spiritual Formation and Character | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES810 | Advanced Data Analysis | 4 | RES702
• COU850 | Group Dynamics in Care | 3 | None
• MGT860 | Organizational Stewardship | 3 | None
• THE870 | Comparative Models of Pastoral Care | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES890 | Dissertation Writing Seminar I | 4 | RES800
• COU895 | Advanced Supervised Practice | 4 | None
• EDU880 | Teaching and Pedagogy in Higher Education | 3 | None
• THE890 | Applied Theology for Institutional Contexts | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES899 | Dissertation Writing Seminar II | 8 | RES890
• COU900 | Professional Development Seminar | 3 | None
• SOC910 | Community Outreach and Policy | 3 | None
• CAP950 | Comprehensive Doctoral Exam | 4 | All prior coursework

Career Opportunities

• Clinical Pastoral Supervisor
• Nonprofit Organization Program Director
• Institutional Chaplaincy Administrator
• Academic Faculty in Pastoral Studies
• Human Services Policy Researcher
• Faith-Based Community Development Consultant
• Pastoral Care Department Manager

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 Clinical Pastoral Education
• 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 Clinical Pastoral Education 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