Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Comparative Cultural, Diaspora Studies, Specialization in Indigenous Traditions

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Comparative Cultural, Diaspora Studies, Specialization in Indigenous Traditions

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 comparative cultural and diaspora 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 Comparative Cultural and Diaspora Studies, with a specialization in Indigenous Traditions, is an advanced research-oriented program designed to cultivate scholars who explore the intersection of human mobility, cultural preservation, and faith-based ethical frameworks. Students engage in rigorous inquiry into the complex histories and contemporary realities of global diasporas, with a specific focus on the resilience and wisdom embedded within indigenous traditions.
• This program emphasizes the synthesis of qualitative research methodologies and interdisciplinary perspectives. Scholars are encouraged to evaluate cultural narratives through the lens of social justice, stewardship, and servant leadership, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to both the academic community and the broader societal discourse on global integration and cultural honor.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Comparative Cultural, Diaspora Studies, Specialization in Indigenous Traditions is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based comparative cultural, diaspora studies, and indigenous traditions theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based comparative cultural, diaspora studies, and indigenous traditions-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 I

• 4
• RES900
• DIS991

Dissertation II

• 4
• DIS990
• DIS992

Dissertation III

• 4
• DIS991
• DIS993

Dissertation Defense

• 4
• DIS992
• DIS990 — Dissertation I: Primary research and writing phase of the dissertation project. Candidates work closely with faculty advisors to finalize analysisThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DIS991 — Dissertation II: Advanced phase of the dissertation, focusing on editing, final refinement, and preparation of the defense manuscriptThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DIS992 — Dissertation III: Defense preparation and final committee review process. Students defend their research and integrate final feedbackThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DIS993 — Dissertation Defense: The oral defense and final submission of the approved dissertation. This serves as the definitive demonstration of doctoral masteryThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Requirement

• The dissertation represents the capstone of the PhD program, serving as an original contribution to the field of cultural and diaspora studies. Students are required to conduct independent, rigorous research that addresses a specific inquiry within the specialization of Indigenous Traditions. This process involves the formulation of a research problem, the execution of approved methodological inquiry, and the production of a high-quality manuscript that meets professional academic standards.
• Beyond technical proficiency, the dissertation functions as a vehicle for integrating the student’s faith-informed worldview with their disciplinary research. Students must demonstrate how their findings apply principles of stewardship, ethical justice, and servant leadership to the challenges faced by indigenous communities. This project serves as a comprehensive demonstration of the candidate's ability to balance academic mastery with moral character and a commitment to service, reflecting the university’s mission to prepare leaders who operate at the intersection of truth and cultural engagement.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | 3 | None
• HUM710 | Theoretical Perspectives in Diaspora Studies | 3 | None
• THE720 | Ethical Frameworks in Cultural Engagement | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• IND730 | Indigenous Traditions and Worldviews | 3 | HUM710
• SOC740 | Global Migration and Social Resilience | 3 | HUM710
• RES750 | Advanced Statistical Analysis in Social Research | 3 | RES701
• SOC760 | Sociological Perspectives on Cultural Identity | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• IND800 | Stewardship and Indigenous Ecology | 4 | IND730
• HUM810 | Post-Colonial Narratives and Rhetoric | 4 | None
• MIN820 | Servant Leadership in Cross-Cultural Contexts | 3 | THE720
• RES830 | Prospectus Development | 3 | RES750
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• IND840 | Indigenous Governance and Rights | 4 | IND730
• HUM850 | Global Justice and Human Rights | 4 | THE720
• SOC860 | Diaspora Sociology and Urban Change | 3 | SOC740
• RES870 | Research Seminar I | 3 | RES830
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• IND880 | Traditional Wisdom and Modern Education | 4 | IND840
• POL890 | Conflict Resolution and Restorative Justice | 4 | THE720
• RES900 | Research Seminar II | 3 | RES870
• CAP910 | Professional Development in Academia | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS990 | Dissertation I | 4 | RES900
• DIS991 | Dissertation II | 4 | DIS990
• DIS992 | Dissertation III | 4 | DIS991
• DIS993 | Dissertation Defense | 4 | DIS992

Career Opportunities

• University Professor of Anthropology or Cultural Studies
• Global Non-Profit Director for Indigenous Advocacy
• Cultural Consultant for International Development Agencies
• Research Scholar at Interdisciplinary Policy Institutes
• Director of Community Engagement for Faith-Based Organizations
• Museum Curator and Archivist for Indigenous Collections
• Foreign Service Liaison for Cross-Cultural Affairs

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 Comparative Cultural, Diaspora Studies, Specialization in Indigenous Traditions
• 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 comparative cultural and diaspora 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