Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Counseling Psychology Specialization in Advanced Counseling Theory, Supervision

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Counseling Psychology

Total program length

96 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 counseling 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: 96
• Duration: 3 years
• Degree Level: PhD

Dissertation research and defense

• 18 credit hours
• Total
• 96 semester credit hours
• The PhD in Counseling Psychology with a Minor in Faith-Based Advanced Counseling Theory & Supervision equips students with advanced skills in psychological theory and practice. In this program, students will explore the integration of faith and psychological principles to effectively address mental health issues within diverse populations. They will engage in comprehensive training in counseling techniques, ethical practices, research methodologies, and supervision skills. Graduates are prepared for leadership roles in clinical settings, academia, and community organizations where they can employ their expertise to foster healing and promote well-being. The program emphasizes the importance of faith-integrated practice, reflecting a commitment to holistic client care and professional excellence, thus ensuring that participants are not only competent counselors but also thought leaders in the field.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Counseling Psychology is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based counseling theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based counseling-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 96-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 96 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 56 semester credit hours remaining in the 96-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 & Proposal Development

• 3
• Completion of required coursework in Counseling Psychology
• PHDCP 751
• Advanced Clinical Consultation
• 3
• Doctoral level standing in Counseling Psychology or related field
• PHDCP 752
• Grant Writing for Behavioral Research
• 3
• None
• PHDCP 761
• Leadership in Behavioral Health Systems
• 3
• None
• PHDCP 762
• Publication & Peer Review Seminar
• 3
• None
• PHDCP 743 — Comprehensive Exam Seminar: Comprehensive Exam SeminarThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHDCP 744 — Dissertation Seminar & Proposal Development: Dissertation Seminar & Proposal DevelopmentThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHDCP 751 — Advanced Clinical Consultation: Advanced Clinical ConsultationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHDCP 752 — Grant Writing for Behavioral Research: Grant Writing for Behavioral ResearchThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHDCP 761 — Leadership in Behavioral Health Systems: Leadership in Behavioral Health SystemsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHDCP 762 — Publication & Peer Review Seminar: Publication & Peer Review SeminarThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Research I

• 3
• None
• DISS 802

Dissertation Research II

• 3
• Completion of Dissertation Research I
• DISS 803

Dissertation Research III

• 3
• Completion of Dissertation Research II and prior research methods coursework
• DISS 804

Dissertation Research IV

• 3
• DISS 803 or equivalent dissertation research course
• DISS 805

Dissertation Research V

• 3
• Completion of Dissertation Research IV (DISS 804) or equivalent.
• PHDCP 770 — Doctoral Internship/Residency: Doctoral Internship/ResidencyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DISS 801 — Dissertation Research I: Dissertation Research IThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DISS 802 — Dissertation Research II: Dissertation Research IIThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DISS 803 — Dissertation Research III: Dissertation Research IIIThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DISS 804 — Dissertation Research IV: Dissertation Research IVThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DISS 805 — Dissertation Research V: Dissertation Research VThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Research VI

• 3
• Completion of prior dissertation research courses
• DISS 807

Dissertation Defense Seminar

• 3
• Completion of all required coursework and approval of dissertation proposal
• DISS 806 — Dissertation Research VI: Dissertation Research VIThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DISS 807 — Dissertation Defense Seminar: Dissertation Defense SeminarThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 96 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHDCP 701 | Advanced Counseling Theory | 3 | None
• PHDCP 702 | Research Design I | 3 | None
• PHDCP 703 | Advanced Statistics I | 3 | None
• FBAT 710 | Faith-Based Advanced Counseling Integration (Minor) | 3 | None
• PHDCP 711 | Supervision Theory & Practice | 3 | None
• PHDCP 712 | Research Design II | 3 | Research Design I or equivalent course
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHDCP 713 | Advanced Statistics II | 3 | Advanced Statistics I or equivalent coursework
• FBAT 720 | Faith-Based Clinical Supervision (Minor) | 3 | None
• PHDCP 721 | Psychometrics & Measurement | 3 | None
• PHDCP 722 | Qualitative Methods | 3 | None
• PHDCP 723 | Teaching in Higher Education | 3 | None
• FBAT 730 | Ethics & Values in Advanced Practice (Minor) | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHDCP 731 | Advanced Multicultural Counseling & Social Justice | 3 | None
• PHDCP 732 | Program Evaluation & Outcomes | 3 | None
• PHDCP 733 | Advanced Group & Systems Interventions | 3 | None
• FBAT 740 | Spiritual Assessment for Advanced Clinicians (Minor) | 3 | None
• PHDCP 741 | Advanced Practicum: Supervision & Leadership | 3 | None
• PHDCP 742 | Advanced Practicum: Intervention | 3 | Completion of foundational courses in Counseling Psychology
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHDCP 743 | Comprehensive Exam Seminar | 3 | Completion of initial PhD coursework in Counseling Psychology
• PHDCP 744 | Dissertation Seminar & Proposal Development | 3 | Completion of required coursework in Counseling Psychology
• PHDCP 751 | Advanced Clinical Consultation | 3 | Doctoral level standing in Counseling Psychology or related field
• PHDCP 752 | Grant Writing for Behavioral Research | 3 | None
• PHDCP 761 | Leadership in Behavioral Health Systems | 3 | None
• PHDCP 762 | Publication & Peer Review Seminar | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHDCP 770 | Doctoral Internship/Residency | 3 | Completion of foundational coursework in counseling psychology and approval from faculty advisor
• DISS 801 | Dissertation Research I | 3 | None
• DISS 802 | Dissertation Research II | 3 | Completion of Dissertation Research I
• DISS 803 | Dissertation Research III | 3 | Completion of Dissertation Research II and prior research methods coursework
• DISS 804 | Dissertation Research IV | 3 | DISS 803 or equivalent dissertation research course
• DISS 805 | Dissertation Research V | 3 | Completion of Dissertation Research IV (DISS 804) or equivalent.
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DISS 806 | Dissertation Research VI | 3 | Completion of prior dissertation research courses
• DISS 807 | Dissertation Defense Seminar | 3 | Completion of all required coursework and approval of dissertation proposal

Career Opportunities

• Licensed Counseling Psychologist
• University Professor or Lecturer
• Clinical Supervisor in a counseling agency
• Faith-based Organizational Consultant
• Mental Health Program Director
• Counseling Center Director
• Researcher in Counseling Psychology

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 Counseling Psychology
• Total program length | 96 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 counseling 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