Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Cyber Forensics, Specialization in Digital Safety Awareness

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Cyber Forensics

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 cyber forensics 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 Cyber Forensics with a specialization in Digital Safety Awareness is an advanced academic program designed for professionals seeking to lead at the intersection of digital security, ethical stewardship, and community advocacy. This program offers rigorous training in forensic data analysis, incident response, and the development of strategies to protect vulnerable populations in digital spaces, framed within a commitment to integrity and the responsible management of technological resources. By integrating technical expertise with principled decision-making, students are equipped to navigate the complex challenges of the modern digital landscape. Students engage in advanced scholarship that emphasizes the importance of digital guardianship and the social implications of cybersecurity. Through a blend of theoretical inquiry and practical application, the curriculum challenges candidates to address the multifaceted nature of cyber threats while fostering environments that prioritize the safety and well-being of the communities they serve.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Cyber Forensics is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based cyber forensics 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 cyber forensics-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.

Program Details

• Total Credits: 120
• Duration: 3 years
• Degree Level: Doctorate

Dissertation Proposal Development

• 4
• RES805
• SOC830
• Digital Safety Advocacy and Education
• 3
• None
• MGT835
• Strategic Resource Management
• 3
• MIN720
• CYB820 — Special Topics in Digital Safety: Examines emerging issues in the digital realm, such as emerging cloud security, mobile forensic techniques, and user data awareness. Students critically assess new threats and defensive paradigms. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES825 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Students refine their research questions and draft their formal dissertation proposals. Includes rigorous feedback from peers and faculty on methodology and scope. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC830 — Digital Safety Advocacy and Education: Focuses on communicating digital safety practices to non-technical staff and volunteers. Students create educational frameworks to increase overall security awareness. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT835 — Strategic Resource Management: Addresses the logistical and financial management of cybersecurity assets within mission-driven entities. Students learn to prioritize investments based on organizational sustainability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 4
• RES825
• CYB850
• Compliance and Legal Standards in Forensics
• 3
• CYB825
• RES855
• Advanced Seminar in Applied Forensics
• 3
• CYB840
• CYB840 — Advanced Network Forensic Analysis: Study of packet analysis, network traffic monitoring, and advanced forensic strategies for enterprise-level security. Students analyze complex network events to maintain organizational integrity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP845 — Dissertation Research I: The first phase of the dissertation, involving systematic data collection and analysis under faculty guidance. Students engage in original research to test their proposed hypotheses. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CYB850 — Compliance and Legal Standards in Forensics: Overview of legal frameworks and compliance standards pertinent to forensic investigations. Students examine the intersections between law, ethics, and forensic practice. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES855 — Advanced Seminar in Applied Forensics: A synthesis seminar where students evaluate complex case studies in digital forensic investigation. Focus is placed on developing high-level problem-solving skills for critical scenarios. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research II

• 4
• CAP845
• CAP865

Dissertation Defense

• 4
• CAP860
• THE870

Capstone of Ethical Leadership

• 3
• None
• CYB875
• Professionalism and Future Trends in Forensics
• 3
• CYB850
• CAP860 — Dissertation Research II: The final stage of the dissertation, where research findings are synthesized into the final manuscript. Students finalize their work and prepare for the formal oral defense. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP865 — Dissertation Defense: The oral presentation and defense of the doctoral dissertation before a committee. This signifies the candidate's mastery of the field and readiness for advanced practice. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE870 — Capstone of Ethical Leadership: A final synthesis course where students articulate their leadership philosophy and its connection to their professional forensic work. Focus is on personal integrity and vocational service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CYB875 — Professionalism and Future Trends in Forensics: Examination of the evolving role of the forensic investigator in the modern digital age. Students look toward future trends and the potential for long-term community impact. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation represents the pinnacle of the doctoral experience, requiring candidates to undertake an original, independent research project that advances knowledge within the field of Cyber Forensics. This scholarly endeavor demands that students identify a significant problem in digital safety, apply appropriate research methodologies, and produce a substantive contribution to the discipline. Through the systematic investigation of technical challenges, candidates are expected to demonstrate high-level academic competence and critical thinking skills. The scope of the work is designed to challenge students to address real-world vulnerabilities while upholding rigorous ethical standards and analytical precision.
• Central to the dissertation is the integration of faith-based perspectives, where students articulate how their research supports the protection of individuals and the stewardship of digital communities. Candidates are required to evaluate their research through the lens of biblical stewardship and servant leadership, ensuring that technological solutions honor the dignity of the human person and the values of the organization. The final deliverable is a formal dissertation defense before a faculty committee, where the candidate must demonstrate both their mastery of technical forensic principles and their maturation as a scholar of faith-informed character.

Career Opportunities

• Digital Safety Consultant for Non-Profit Organizations
• Chief Information Security Officer in Faith-Based Educational Institutions
• Cyber Policy Researcher
• Manager of Community Digital Awareness Initiatives
• Faith-Based Organizational Security Auditor
• Academic Faculty in Cybersecurity or Ethics
• Digital Forensic Investigator for Charitable Foundations

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 | Ed.D. in Faith-Based Cyber Forensics
• 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 cyber forensics 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
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Foundations of Doctoral Research | 3 | None
• CYB701 | Advanced Forensic Principles | 3 | None
• THE705 | Ethics and Stewardship in Technology | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CYB710 | Cyber Threat Landscape | 4 | CYB701
• RES715 | Quantitative Research in Forensics | 4 | RES700
• MIN720 | Servant Leadership in Tech Management | 3 | None
• CYB725 | Digital Safety Policy Design | 3 | CYB710
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CYB800 | Incident Response Architecture | 4 | CYB710
• RES805 | Qualitative Research and Community Engagement | 4 | RES715
• ETH810 | Professional Ethics and Organizational Integrity | 3 | None
• CYB815 | Incident Analysis and Forensics Lab | 3 | CYB800
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CYB820 | Special Topics in Digital Safety | 4 | CYB815
• RES825 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 4 | RES805
• SOC830 | Digital Safety Advocacy and Education | 3 | None
• MGT835 | Strategic Resource Management | 3 | MIN720
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CYB840 | Advanced Network Forensic Analysis | 4 | CYB820
• CAP845 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES825
• CYB850 | Compliance and Legal Standards in Forensics | 3 | CYB825
• RES855 | Advanced Seminar in Applied Forensics | 3 | CYB840
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP860 | Dissertation Research II | 4 | CAP845
• CAP865 | Dissertation Defense | 4 | CAP860
• THE870 | Capstone of Ethical Leadership | 3 | None
• CYB875 | Professionalism and Future Trends in Forensics | 3 | CYB850