Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Data Analytics

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Data Analytics

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 data analytics 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 (PhD) in Faith-Based Data Analytics is a rigorous, research-oriented program designed for scholars and practitioners seeking to integrate advanced computational methodologies with ethical stewardship and servant leadership. By utilizing high-level quantitative analysis, machine learning, and predictive modeling, students explore how data-driven insights can address complex societal challenges while honoring the principles of integrity and human dignity. The program emphasizes the intersection of technical proficiency and moral responsibility, ensuring that graduates are prepared to lead with transparency and purpose in diverse organizational environments. Through scholarly inquiry and critical reflection, students contribute to the growing field of data science while maintaining a commitment to professional excellence and community-centered ethics. The curriculum is structured to support the development of independent, high-level research capabilities, fostering a scholarly environment where technological innovation meets the call to serve and improve institutional stewardship. This comprehensive program challenges students to examine the impacts of data architecture on organizational mission and societal well-being, promoting a holistic approach to analytical leadership.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Data Analytics is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based data analytics theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based data analytics-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 Proposal Development

• 4
• RES800
• MGT860
• Strategic Planning and Analytics
• 3
• MGT730
• COM870
• Organizational Communication and Change
• 3
• None
• DAT840 — Optimization for Resource Efficiency: This course focuses on mathematical optimization techniques to improve efficiency in service delivery. Students model logistics and resource flow to reduce waste and maximize impact. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES850 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Under faculty mentorship, students formalize their research proposal for defense. This intensive process ensures the proposed study is rigorous, feasible, and relevant to the field of data analytics. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT860 — Strategic Planning and Analytics: This course integrates strategic management theory with analytical evidence-based decision making. Students develop long-term plans that reflect an organization's core values and operational capacities. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM870 — Organizational Communication and Change: Students examine the communicative challenges inherent in implementing data-driven organizational change. The course addresses building trust and gaining stakeholder buy-in within complex environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 4
• RES850
• ETH920
• Integrity in Technical Leadership
• 3
• ETH820
• RES930
• Advanced Seminar in Applied Analytics
• 3
• RES850
• DAT900 — Advanced Applied Machine Learning: This course provides students with opportunities to refine their specialized analytical models. Students utilize advanced libraries to perform robust data analysis for their research. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES910 — Dissertation Research I: Students begin the data collection and analysis phase of their dissertation project under faculty supervision. This process requires meticulous documentation and ethical adherence to research standards. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ETH920 — Integrity in Technical Leadership: This course addresses the personal and professional integrity required of leaders who manage significant data assets. Students explore case studies in ethical failure and success. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES930 — Advanced Seminar in Applied Analytics: A collaborative seminar where students present work-in-progress and engage in peer review. The course emphasizes refinement of scholarly communication and rigor in methodology. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research II

• 4
• RES910
• CAP960

Dissertation Defense and Submission

• 4
• RES950
• MGT970
• Advanced Leadership and Stewardship Seminar
• 3
• MGT860
• DAT980
• Professional Field Integration
• 3
• None
• RES950 — Dissertation Research II: In this final research stage, candidates conclude their analysis and finalize the dissertation manuscript. Students prepare for their formal defense of the original research contribution. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP960 — Dissertation Defense and Submission: This course represents the culmination of the candidate's work and their formal defense of the dissertation before a committee. Upon approval, students perform final formatting and submission. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT970 — Advanced Leadership and Stewardship Seminar: This capstone leadership course integrates learning from the entire program to address high-level organizational challenges. Students articulate their professional philosophy of stewardship and service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DAT980 — Professional Field Integration: Students demonstrate the application of their analytical training within a professional or community service context. This final project synthesizes technical capability with practical, mission-driven outcomes. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culmination of the PhD program, representing an original contribution to the field of data analytics. Candidates must conduct rigorous, independent research that addresses a significant problem in a community-oriented or organizational context, demonstrating mastery of analytical methods and scholarly rigor. The project requires the synthesis of technical data application with a comprehensive analysis of the ethical implications and stewardship responsibilities inherent in the research findings.
• Beyond technical achievement, the dissertation must explicitly integrate a faith-informed perspective, addressing how the research promotes ethical integrity, social justice, and organizational efficacy. The candidate is expected to demonstrate how their findings facilitate servant leadership and contribute to the flourishing of the communities their research serves. The dissertation process involves the formal submission of a research proposal, multiple stages of peer-reviewed data analysis, and a successful oral defense before a faculty committee, ensuring the work reflects both professional competence and a foundation of character-driven leadership.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Foundations of Ethical Research | 3 | None
• DAT705 | Advanced Statistical Modeling | 3 | None
• BUS710 | Stewardship in Data Governance | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DAT715 | Machine Learning for Social Impact | 4 | DAT705
• RES720 | Qualitative Inquiry for Data Scientists | 3 | RES700
• MGT730 | Servant Leadership in Technology | 3 | None
• DAT735 | Predictive Analytics and Resource Allocation | 4 | DAT705
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Advanced Dissertation Methodology | 4 | RES720
• DAT810 | Big Data and Cloud Infrastructure | 4 | DAT715
• ETH820 | Applied Ethics and Professional Responsibility in Technology | 3 | None
• DAT830 | Data Visualization for Stakeholders | 3 | DAT735
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DAT840 | Optimization for Resource Efficiency | 4 | DAT735
• RES850 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 4 | RES800
• MGT860 | Strategic Planning and Analytics | 3 | MGT730
• COM870 | Organizational Communication and Change | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DAT900 | Advanced Applied Machine Learning | 4 | DAT810
• RES910 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES850
• ETH920 | Integrity in Technical Leadership | 3 | ETH820
• RES930 | Advanced Seminar in Applied Analytics | 3 | RES850
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES950 | Dissertation Research II | 4 | RES910
• CAP960 | Dissertation Defense and Submission | 4 | RES950
• MGT970 | Advanced Leadership and Stewardship Seminar | 3 | MGT860
• DAT980 | Professional Field Integration | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Data Science Researcher for Non-Profit Organizations
• Chief Data Strategist for Faith-Based Educational Institutions
• Quantitative Consultant for Community Development Agencies
• Analytics Director for International Relief Organizations
• University Professor of Data Analytics and Ethics
• Public Policy Analyst for Social Impact Organizations

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 Data Analytics
• 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 data analytics 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