Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Conflict Response, Specialization in Humanitarian Response

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Conflict Response

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 conflict and humanitarian response 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 Conflict Response with a specialization in Humanitarian Response is an advanced research degree designed to equip scholars and practitioners with the expertise to navigate complex geopolitical and social crises. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of rigorous academic inquiry with the principles of ethical stewardship and servant leadership, fostering an environment where scholarship serves the common good. Students engage with advanced theories of conflict resolution, systemic transformation, and sustainable development through a lens of social justice and compassionate community engagement.
• Throughout the program, doctoral candidates develop the analytical rigor necessary to address multifaceted humanitarian challenges in global and local contexts. By bridging academic discipline with faith-informed professional practice, the program encourages students to cultivate a character rooted in integrity, humility, and moral responsibility. Graduates emerge as leaders prepared to contribute original research to their fields while demonstrating a commitment to the transformative power of ethical service in volatile environments.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Conflict Response, Specialization in Humanitarian Response is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based conflict and humanitarian response theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based conflict and humanitarian response-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 Seminar I

• 4
• RES720
• BUS801
• Organizational Development in Volatile Contexts
• 3
• MGT721
• MGT802
• Executive Leadership and Professional Ethics
• 3
• None
• SOC803
• Systemic Transformation and Development
• 3
• SOC713
• RES800 — Dissertation Seminar I: Students begin the formal proposal process, identifying a research question and conducting a comprehensive literature review. The seminar provides peer support and academic accountability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS801 — Organizational Development in Volatile Contexts: This course teaches adaptive management strategies for organizations working in regions of intense conflict. It stresses agility and mission-fidelity in changing environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT802 — Executive Leadership and Professional Ethics: This course explores the principles of ethical decision-making, emotional intelligence, and professional conduct in high-stakes humanitarian management. It focuses on developing the personal and professional character required to lead diverse teams under extreme environmental and political pressure. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC803 — Systemic Transformation and Development: Candidates analyze global systems that create or alleviate conflict. The course promotes holistic development approaches that address root causes of humanitarian crises. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Seminar II

• 4
• RES800
• HUM811
• International Human Rights and Stewardship
• 3
• THE701
• COU812
• Advanced Crisis Intervention
• 3
• COU711
• MGT813
• Collaborative Diplomacy
• 3
• MGT702
• RES810 — Dissertation Seminar II: Students engage in data collection or formalize their methodology under faculty supervision. This seminar ensures the project remains aligned with institutional and ethical standards. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HUM811 — International Human Rights and Stewardship: This course examines international frameworks for human rights through the lens of ethical stewardship and the dignity of the human person. It focuses on advocacy strategies. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU812 — Advanced Crisis Intervention: Students develop advanced techniques for managing immediate needs in acute crises while ensuring long-term community health. The course emphasizes team-based leadership and ethics. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT813 — Collaborative Diplomacy: This course explores the mechanics of multi-agency collaboration in conflict resolution. It encourages partnership building among secular and faith-based actors. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Completion

• 4
• RES810
• MIN820

Capstone Integration Seminar

• 3
• None
• RES821
• Advanced Scholarly Writing and Dissemination
• 3
• RES810
• BUS822
• Program Evaluation and Stewardship
• 3
• BUS801
• CAP899 — Dissertation Completion: Candidates complete the writing and defense of their doctoral dissertation. The project demonstrates advanced mastery of research and its application to faith-based humanitarian practice. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN820 — Capstone Integration Seminar: This seminar provides a space for students to reflect on their scholarly work as an act of service. It synthesizes research, leadership, and ethical formation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES821 — Advanced Scholarly Writing and Dissemination: This course focuses on preparing original research for publication in academic journals and professional forums. It prioritizes clarity, impact, and scholarly integrity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS822 — Program Evaluation and Stewardship: Students learn to assess the long-term impact of humanitarian programs through rigorous evaluation metrics. The course emphasizes responsible resource use and mission success. 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 candidate, representing an original contribution to the study of faith-based conflict response and humanitarian action. Students are expected to conduct independent, primary research that addresses a significant problem within the field, utilizing rigorous qualitative or quantitative methodologies. This process demands intellectual maturity, sustained focus, and the capacity to synthesize complex theoretical frameworks with practical, ethical implications for the global humanitarian landscape.
• The dissertation must explicitly reflect the integration of a Christian worldview, demonstrating how the student applies biblical stewardship, justice, and spiritual formation to their inquiry. Candidates work closely with a faculty committee to ensure that the project not only meets doctoral-level scholarly standards but also highlights the researcher's commitment to restorative and servant-led humanitarian practice. The final defense of the dissertation evaluates both the technical competence of the research and the candidate’s ability to articulate the ethical and faith-based significance of their work in contemporary society.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Foundations of Doctoral Research | 3 | None
• THE701 | Ethical Frameworks in Humanitarian Service | 3 | None
• MGT702 | Servant Leadership in Global Nonprofits | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES710 | Quantitative Research Design | 3 | RES700
• COU711 | Psychosocial Support in Disaster Response | 3 | None
• HIS712 | History of Conflict and Peacemaking | 3 | None
• SOC713 | Sociology of Community Resilience | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES720 | Qualitative Research and Ethnography | 3 | RES700
• MGT721 | Strategic Resource Management | 3 | MGT702
• SOC722 | Sociology of Transitional Justice | 3 | THE701
• COM723 | Public Policy and Humanitarian Advocacy | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Dissertation Seminar I | 4 | RES720
• BUS801 | Organizational Development in Volatile Contexts | 3 | MGT721
• MGT802 | Executive Leadership and Professional Ethics | 3 | None
• SOC803 | Systemic Transformation and Development | 3 | SOC713
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES810 | Dissertation Seminar II | 4 | RES800
• HUM811 | International Human Rights and Stewardship | 3 | THE701
• COU812 | Advanced Crisis Intervention | 3 | COU711
• MGT813 | Collaborative Diplomacy | 3 | MGT702
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP899 | Dissertation Completion | 4 | RES810
• MIN820 | Capstone Integration Seminar | 3 | None
• RES821 | Advanced Scholarly Writing and Dissemination | 3 | RES810
• BUS822 | Program Evaluation and Stewardship | 3 | BUS801

Career Opportunities

• International Humanitarian Program Director
• Conflict Resolution Policy Researcher
• Faith-Based Non-Profit Executive Director
• Academic Faculty in Humanitarian Studies
• Global Strategy Consultant for Development Organizations
• Community Reconciliation and Peacebuilding Coordinator

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 Conflict Response
• 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 conflict and humanitarian response 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