Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Cyber Security, Specialization in Data Protection for Organizations

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Cyber Security

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 security 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 Security, with a specialization in Data Protection for Organizations, offers a rigorous academic framework for professionals seeking to lead at the intersection of information security and organizational stewardship. This program is designed to equip scholars with the technical expertise and ethical grounding necessary to manage complex digital landscapes while maintaining the integrity and privacy of organizational data. By integrating advanced cyber security methodologies with principles of servant leadership and ethical responsibility, students are prepared to address the evolving threats to data infrastructure in a global society.

Students will engage with advanced curriculum focusing on risk management, cryptographic foundations, data privacy law, and the sociotechnical implications of technological adoption. The program encourages a critical examination of how information systems function within organizational contexts, fostering the development of policies that align with both professional standards and high moral obligations. Through inquiry-based learning, participants will develop the scholarly acumen required to contribute original research to the field of cybersecurity.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Cyber Security is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based cyber security 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 security-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

• 3
• RES810
• CYB830 — Cyber-Physical Systems and IoT Security: Addresses the unique security challenges of internet-connected hardware within institutional buildings and facilities. Students design strategies for securing critical smart-infrastructure. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT835 — Organizational Change and Technological Adoption: Explores the human dynamics of adopting new security technologies within traditional organizations. Students practice change management techniques consistent with servant leadership. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CYB840 — Advanced Threat Intelligence: Provides analytical tools to track and interpret emerging cyber threats. Students learn to generate intelligence reports that inform organizational leadership decisions. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES850 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Students work toward the defense of their dissertation proposal, establishing the research topic and methodology. This phase culminates in the committee approval of the research plan. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Completion Seminar

• 4
• RES865
• CAP890

Dissertation Defense

• 6
• RES880
• CYB885
• Professionalism and Ethical Advocacy
• 4
• None
• RES895
• Scholarly Publication and Dissemination
• 3
• RES880
• RES880 — Dissertation Completion Seminar: Final synthesis of research findings, literature review, and defense preparation. Emphasizes clarity of voice and the contribution of new knowledge to the field. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP890 — Dissertation Defense: The formal presentation and defense of the doctoral research project to the faculty committee. Demonstrates intellectual rigor and integration of faith-informed ethical leadership. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CYB885 — Professionalism and Ethical Advocacy: Examines the role of the cybersecurity professional as an advocate for digital ethics and societal well-being. Focuses on leadership transitions into professional practice. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES895 — Scholarly Publication and Dissemination: Practical application of academic writing for publication in professional journals. Students prepare their dissertation findings for a wider public audience. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic experience of the Ph.D. program, requiring students to engage in original, significant research that advances the body of knowledge within the domain of cyber security and data protection. The scope of this project is to investigate a specific, complex issue related to the security, privacy, or ethical management of organizational information, culminating in a substantial written work that demonstrates rigorous methodology and analytical depth. Students will work under the guidance of a faculty committee to ensure the project meets the high academic standards of the institution.
• Beyond technical achievement, the dissertation must explicitly integrate the student's scholarly efforts with faith-informed character development, emphasizing how their research findings promote ethical reasoning, biblical stewardship, and the preservation of human dignity in a digital age. This work represents the synthesis of academic competence and the student’s maturation as a servant leader, ensuring that the research contributes positively to the mission and viability of faith-based and community-oriented organizations. Successful defense of the dissertation before a committee confirms the candidate's readiness to contribute to the global cybersecurity community with integrity.

Career Opportunities

• Chief Information Security Officer in a nonprofit context
• Director of Data Governance for faith-based institutions
• Cybersecurity Policy Consultant for global organizations
• Professor of Cybersecurity at a theological or Christian university
• Research Scientist focused on organizational data ethics
• Risk Management Executive for community service 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 Security
• 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 security 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 | Advanced Research Methodology | 3 | None
• CYB701 | Foundations of Organizational Security | 3 | None
• CYB702 | Ethical Frameworks in Information Technology | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CYB710 | Cryptography and Privacy Protections | 3 | CYB701
• MGT715 | Strategic Leadership in Information Security | 3 | None
• RES720 | Quantitative Analysis for Cybersecurity | 3 | RES700
• CYB725 | Cloud and Network Defense Systems | 3 | CYB701
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CYB800 | Advanced Data Privacy Law and Compliance | 4 | CYB701
• RES810 | Qualitative Research and Phenomenological Studies | 4 | RES700
• CYB815 | Incident Response and Crisis Management | 3 | CYB725
• THE820 | Stewardship and Technology Governance | 3 | THE702
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CYB830 | Cyber-Physical Systems and IoT Security | 4 | CYB725
• MGT835 | Organizational Change and Technological Adoption | 4 | MGT715
• CYB840 | Advanced Threat Intelligence | 3 | CYB710
• RES850 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | RES810
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CYB860 | Security Architecture and Design Patterns | 4 | CYB725
• RES865 | Doctoral Research Seminar I | 4 | RES850
• CYB870 | Emerging Technologies and Future Security | 3 | CYB710
• RES875 | Field Research and Data Collection | 3 | RES850
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES880 | Dissertation Completion Seminar | 4 | RES865
• CAP890 | Dissertation Defense | 6 | RES880
• CYB885 | Professionalism and Ethical Advocacy | 4 | None
• RES895 | Scholarly Publication and Dissemination | 3 | RES880