Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Education, Specialization in Diverse Ministry Education

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Education, Specialization in Diverse Ministry Education

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 education 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 Education with a specialization in Diverse Ministry Education is an advanced research-oriented program designed for scholars and practitioners seeking to deepen their expertise in educational leadership within complex, multicultural environments. This doctoral program bridges the gap between rigorous academic inquiry and the practical application of organizational stewardship, ethical administration, and servant leadership principles within the context of diverse faith-based institutions. Students will engage in an intensive exploration of educational theory, pedagogical strategy, and organizational development, preparing them for high-level contributions in both academic and community-based settings.

Throughout the three-year curriculum, candidates will develop the research skills necessary to analyze contemporary educational challenges through the lens of ethical leadership and community impact. The program fosters a scholarly environment that integrates advanced academic research with a profound commitment to the service-oriented values of HBI University. Graduates will emerge with the capacity to serve as transformational leaders who utilize evidence-based strategies to advance the educational missions of diverse ministries and organizations.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Education, Specialization in Diverse Ministry Education is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based education 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 education-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
• RES750
• EDU755 — Policy and Governance in Education: Analysis of legislative and institutional policies that impact educational delivery. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN760 — Spiritual Formation and Development: Examination of frameworks for personal and communal spiritual growth within an institutional context. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU765 — Higher Education Administration: Focus on the management and operational systems within faith-based higher education. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES800 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Formulation of the dissertation topic, research question, and methodology. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research Phase I

• 3
• RES800
• EDU810 — Advanced Pedagogical Research: Focused study on specific instructional challenges within diverse settings. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LDR815 — Change Management and Reform: Practical techniques for implementing sustainable organizational change. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES820 — Data Analysis Practicum: Practical application of statistical and qualitative software for dissertation research. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES825 — Dissertation Research Phase I: Execution of the initial stages of data collection for the dissertation study. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research Phase II

• 3
• RES825
• RES835

Dissertation Synthesis

• 3
• RES830
• RES840

Dissertation Defense

• 3
• RES835
• CAP850
• Doctoral Capstone Integration
• 1
• RES840
• RES830 — Dissertation Research Phase II: Continued data collection and preliminary analysis of findings. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES835 — Dissertation Synthesis: Final synthesis of research, discussion of implications, and scholarly writing. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES840 — Dissertation Defense: Preparation for and defense of the final doctoral dissertation before the committee. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP850 — Doctoral Capstone Integration: Reflection on the total doctoral experience and integration of faith, research, and practice. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating scholarly endeavor of the doctoral program, representing an original contribution to the field of faith-based education. Students are required to conduct independent, empirical research that addresses a significant problem of practice or inquiry within a diverse educational or ministry setting. This process involves the selection of a committee, the submission of a formal proposal, rigorous data collection and analysis, and a final oral defense before a panel of qualified faculty.
• The project is designed to integrate academic rigor with the student’s evolving professional identity as an ethical leader. Through the dissertation process, students must demonstrate their ability to apply biblical stewardship, servant leadership, and spiritual formation to their research findings, ensuring that the final deliverable provides actionable insights that benefit organizational and community missions. This experience validates the candidate’s mastery of their field and their readiness to operate with professional and character-driven excellence. The dissertation carries a weight of 10 credit hours toward the degree completion requirements.

Career Opportunities

• Executive Director of Faith-Based Nonprofits
• University Dean or Academic Administrator
• Educational Program Consultant
• Ministerial Leadership Development Specialist
• Research Scholar in Pedagogical Studies
• Curriculum Development Lead for Faith-Based Institutions
• Community Engagement Coordinator

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 Education, Specialization in Diverse Ministry Education
• 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 education 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
• EDU701 | Advanced Educational Theory | 4 | None
• RES705 | Quantitative Research Methods | 4 | None
• LDR710 | Principles of Servant Leadership | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES715 | Qualitative Research Methods | 4 | RES705
• EDU720 | Curriculum Design and Evaluation | 4 | EDU701
• MIN725 | Diversity and Inclusion in Ministry | 4 | None
• BUS730 | Organizational Stewardship | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• EDU735 | Advanced Instructional Technology | 4 | None
• SOC740 | Social Justice and Community Engagement | 4 | MIN725
• LDR745 | Ethics in Organizational Leadership | 4 | LDR710
• RES750 | Advanced Literature Review | 4 | RES715
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• EDU755 | Policy and Governance in Education | 4 | EDU720
• MIN760 | Spiritual Formation and Development | 4 | None
• EDU765 | Higher Education Administration | 4 | None
• RES800 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | RES750
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• EDU810 | Advanced Pedagogical Research | 3 | EDU735
• LDR815 | Change Management and Reform | 3 | LDR745
• RES820 | Data Analysis Practicum | 3 | RES800
• RES825 | Dissertation Research Phase I | 3 | RES800
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES830 | Dissertation Research Phase II | 3 | RES825
• RES835 | Dissertation Synthesis | 3 | RES830
• RES840 | Dissertation Defense | 3 | RES835
• CAP850 | Doctoral Capstone Integration | 1 | RES840