Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Divinity, Specialization in Counseling

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Divinity, Specialization in Counseling

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 divinity and counseling 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 Divinity, Specialization in Counseling, at HBIU Seminary is an advanced, research-based degree designed to equip scholars and practitioners with the theological and clinical frameworks necessary to address human needs through a distinctively Christian worldview. This program fosters rigorous academic inquiry, emphasizing the intersection of sacred scripture, behavioral sciences, and the pursuit of spiritual formation within the human experience. Students engage in deep, scholarly exploration of contemporary societal challenges, utilizing research methodologies to develop informed strategies for community support and organizational excellence, all anchored in the principles of biblical stewardship. The curriculum is intentionally structured to cultivate servant leaders who approach their vocation with profound intellectual curiosity, ethical reasoning, and a commitment to scholarship that serves the kingdom of God.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Divinity, Specialization in Counseling is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced divinity and counseling 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 divinity and counseling-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: PhD

Dissertation Seminar: Research Proposal

• 4
• RES702
• COU810
• Crisis Intervention and Community Resilience
• 3
• COU720
• MGT805
• Strategic Leadership for Nonprofit Organizations
• 3
• THE715
• COU820
• Diversity and Global Perspectives in Counseling
• 3
• None
• RES801 — Dissertation Seminar: Research Proposal: Students begin the formalization of their dissertation topic and research question. Focuses on literature review, research design, and human subjects ethics. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU810 — Crisis Intervention and Community Resilience: Strategies for community-level intervention in times of crisis. Examines the role of community support systems in promoting mental health and stability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT805 — Strategic Leadership for Nonprofit Organizations: Focuses on high-level administrative strategies, mission-alignment, and operational management. Emphasizes effective governance within community service institutions. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU820 — Diversity and Global Perspectives in Counseling: An analysis of the influence of diverse cultural and international perspectives on the field of counseling. Focuses on promoting inclusive practices. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research Phase I

• 4
• RES801
• COU855
• Counseling Supervision and Administrative Leadership
• 3
• COU840
• THE835
• Contemporary Issues in Theology and Society
• 3
• THE715
• COU860
• Public Policy and Behavioral Health
• 3
• COU810
• CAP850 — Dissertation Research Phase I: Independent study phase focused on data collection and preliminary analysis under faculty supervision. Students refine their research protocols. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU855 — Counseling Supervision and Administrative Leadership: Examination of models for supervising counseling professionals and leading teams. Focuses on mentorship and administrative oversight. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE835 — Contemporary Issues in Theology and Society: Critical analysis of current social debates through a theological and philosophical lens. Explores the role of the scholar in informing modern discourse. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU860 — Public Policy and Behavioral Health: Overview of policies affecting the behavioral health sector and community service providers. Focuses on advocacy and systemic change. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Defense and Final Manuscript

• 4
• CAP850
• COU870
• Advanced Professional Practicum
• 3
• COU855
• THE845
• Theology of Community and Public Engagement
• 3
• THE825
• RES890
• Doctoral Research Synthesis Seminar
• 3
• RES802
• CAP899 — Dissertation Defense and Final Manuscript: Culminating experience involving the completion, submission, and successful oral defense of the doctoral dissertation. Demonstrates scholarly mastery and contribution to the field. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU870 — Advanced Professional Practicum: Applied experience where students demonstrate leadership and counseling knowledge in a professional environment. Focuses on the implementation of organizational change. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE845 — Theology of Community and Public Engagement: Analysis of theological foundations for social engagement, justice, and community development. Focuses on creating models of sustained service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES890 — Doctoral Research Synthesis Seminar: Final review and synthesis of research findings, academic theories, and practical application. Prepares students for post-doctoral career roles. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the pinnacle of the doctoral journey, functioning as a comprehensive original research project that contributes significantly to the field of counseling and divinity studies through the lens of faith. Students identify a specific researchable problem within their specialization, formulate a rigorous inquiry, and utilize advanced methodologies to provide insights that reflect a Christian understanding of the human condition. The deliverables include a formal written document that adheres to institutional standards and a successful oral defense before a faculty committee. This process emphasizes the development of academic competence while requiring students to articulate how their findings demonstrate faithful stewardship of knowledge and a dedication to the public good. By grounding research in a mission-focused, service-oriented inquiry, students prove their ability to apply scholarly expertise toward the healing and betterment of the community. This synthesis of technical proficiency and spiritual discernment ensures that the graduate is prepared to contribute meaningful solutions to modern challenges with integrity, humility, and the heart of a servant leader.

Career Opportunities

• Nonprofit Organization Executive Director
• Social Policy Researcher
• Seminary Faculty Member
• Organizational Consultant
• Community Development Liaison
• Educational Leadership Specialist
• Human Services Program Administrator

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 Divinity, Specialization in Counseling
• 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 divinity and counseling 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
• RES701 | Advanced Research Methodology I | 3 | None
• THE705 | Philosophy of Ethics and Leadership | 3 | None
• COU710 | Advanced Behavioral Systems Analysis | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES702 | Advanced Research Methodology II | 3 | RES701
• COU720 | Social Perspectives in Modern Counseling | 3 | COU710
• THE715 | Theological Stewardship and Organizational Development | 3 | THE705
• COU730 | Advanced Human Development Theory | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES801 | Dissertation Seminar: Research Proposal | 4 | RES702
• COU810 | Crisis Intervention and Community Resilience | 3 | COU720
• MGT805 | Strategic Leadership for Nonprofit Organizations | 3 | THE715
• COU820 | Diversity and Global Perspectives in Counseling | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES802 | Advanced Data Synthesis and Publication | 3 | RES801
• THE825 | Spiritual Formation and Professional Integrity | 3 | THE705
• COU830 | Program Evaluation and Quality Improvement | 4 | RES702
• COU840 | Professional Counseling Pedagogy | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP850 | Dissertation Research Phase I | 4 | RES801
• COU855 | Counseling Supervision and Administrative Leadership | 3 | COU840
• THE835 | Contemporary Issues in Theology and Society | 3 | THE715
• COU860 | Public Policy and Behavioral Health | 3 | COU810
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP899 | Dissertation Defense and Final Manuscript | 4 | CAP850
• COU870 | Advanced Professional Practicum | 3 | COU855
• THE845 | Theology of Community and Public Engagement | 3 | THE825
• RES890 | Doctoral Research Synthesis Seminar | 3 | RES802