Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Engineering in Project Management, Specialization in Ethics in Engineering Technology

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Engineering in Project Management

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 engineering 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 Engineering in Project Management with a specialization in Ethics in Engineering Technology is a rigorous doctoral program designed to cultivate scholars who integrate advanced technical project management frameworks with profound ethical reasoning. Through the lens of stewardship and servant leadership, the program examines the societal impacts of technological advancement, challenging students to navigate complex engineering environments with moral clarity and technical precision. By fostering both analytical rigor and character development, this program prepares graduates to lead technological initiatives that respect human dignity and prioritize the well-being of local and global communities.

Students engage with interdisciplinary curricula that bridge engineering methodology, organizational leadership, and normative ethics. The program emphasizes the responsibility of the engineer as a steward of technical resources, encouraging the application of sustainable practices and community-focused management strategies. Through scholarly inquiry, graduates are equipped to influence the engineering profession by modeling integrity, accountability, and a commitment to serving the common good through their professional practice.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Engineering in Project Management is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based engineering in project management 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 engineering in project management-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 Data Analysis

• 4
• RES801
• MGT830
• Strategic Human Capital Management
• 3
• MGT705
• ENG835
• Sustainable Systems Engineering
• 3
• ENG815
• BUS840
• Professional Ethics and Workforce Dynamics
• 3
• None
• RES805 — Dissertation Data Analysis: Focuses on the rigorous analysis of data collected for the dissertation research. Provides guidance on statistical modeling and thematic synthesis of findings. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT830 — Strategic Human Capital Management: Examines the development of project teams through servant leadership and mentoring. Focuses on fostering ethical behavior and professional integrity in subordinates. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ENG835 — Sustainable Systems Engineering: Applies systems thinking to environmental and social sustainability in engineering. Discusses responsible resource consumption and long-term project impacts. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS840 — Professional Ethics and Workforce Dynamics: This course examines the socio-economic impact of labor and the role of organizational culture in modern professional environments. Students analyze motivation, professional responsibility, and the social utility of vocational contributions. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Writing Seminar

• 4
• RES805
• MGT850
• Crisis Management and Organizational Ethics
• 3
• MGT830
• ENG855
• Technology Innovation and Society
• 3
• ENG835
• MGT860
• Executive Leadership in Project Management
• 3
• All Core Courses
• RES810 — Dissertation Writing Seminar: Provides dedicated time for the drafting and refinement of the dissertation manuscript. Focuses on clear academic communication and the integration of research findings with ethics. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT850 — Crisis Management and Organizational Ethics: Prepares students to lead through technological crises with ethical fortitude. Emphasizes communication, transparency, and accountability in high-pressure situations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ENG855 — Technology Innovation and Society: Explores the societal impact of technological innovations and the responsibility of managers to mitigate negative externalities. Focuses on fostering innovation that serves human needs. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT860 — Executive Leadership in Project Management: This capstone course requires students to synthesize theories of leadership, project management, and organizational behavior to address complex, real-world problems. Students will develop and present a comprehensive organizational strategy focused on sustainable service-oriented outcomes. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Defense

• 4
• RES810
• MGT870
• Advanced Topics in Project Management
• 3
• None
• ENG875
• Special Topics in Technology Ethics
• 3
• ENG855
• SOC880
• Community Advocacy and Engineering Practice
• 3
• None
• RES899 — Dissertation Defense: The final stage of the dissertation, involving the submission of the document and an oral defense before the committee. Assesses the student's mastery of the subject and their ability to articulate research contributions. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT870 — Advanced Topics in Project Management: Addresses current challenges and emerging trends in the management of complex engineering programs. Encourages lifelong learning and ongoing commitment to ethical growth. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ENG875 — Special Topics in Technology Ethics: Examines specialized ethical scenarios within high-tech industries. Focuses on the role of the professional as an agent of change within engineering firms. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC880 — Community Advocacy and Engineering Practice: Explores how engineering leaders can advocate for marginalized communities and promote fair access to technology. Connects professional engineering goals to social justice and service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The dissertation serves as the culminating academic experience for the Doctor of Philosophy program, requiring candidates to conduct original, independent research that addresses a critical challenge at the intersection of engineering project management and ethical technology implementation. The scope of the project must demonstrate high-level analytical rigor, contributing new theoretical or empirical insights to the field. Candidates are expected to produce a significant scholarly document that substantiates their findings through robust methodology and critical evaluation of existing literature.
• The dissertation integrates a faith-based perspective by requiring candidates to explicitly address how their research addresses themes of stewardship, servant leadership, and the moral responsibilities of the engineer. Students are encouraged to explore how technological projects can advance the common good and serve community needs, effectively bridging the gap between abstract ethical theories and tangible professional practice. This process not only verifies academic competence but also functions as an exercise in character development, reflecting the student's readiness to lead with integrity and foresight. The final deliverable consists of the written dissertation and a successful formal defense before a faculty committee, with a credit weighting of 12 hours.

Career Opportunities

• Engineering Project Director in Non-profit Organizations
• Technical Ethics Consultant
• Director of Engineering Operations in Faith-Based Humanitarian Agencies
• Academic Faculty in Engineering Management
• Research Lead for Sustainable Technology Development
• Corporate Social Responsibility Officer for Engineering Firms
• Director of Community Development for Technical Infrastructure

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 Engineering in Project Management
• 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 engineering 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
• RES701 | Quantitative Research Methods in Engineering | 3 | None
• MGT705 | Organizational Leadership and Ethics | 3 | None
• ENG710 | Systems Engineering and Design | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES702 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 | RES701
• MGT715 | Project Lifecycle and Resource Stewardship | 3 | ENG710
• ENG720 | Ethics in Engineering Technology | 3 | None
• SOC725 | Technology and Society: Community Impact | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES801 | Advanced Research Design and Proposal | 4 | RES702
• MGT810 | Global Project Strategy | 3 | MGT715
• ENG815 | Technology, Policy, and Governance | 3 | ENG720
• HUM820 | Philosophy of Technology and Stewardship | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES805 | Dissertation Data Analysis | 4 | RES801
• MGT830 | Strategic Human Capital Management | 3 | MGT705
• ENG835 | Sustainable Systems Engineering | 3 | ENG815
• BUS840 | Professional Ethics and Workforce Dynamics | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES810 | Dissertation Writing Seminar | 4 | RES805
• MGT850 | Crisis Management and Organizational Ethics | 3 | MGT830
• ENG855 | Technology Innovation and Society | 3 | ENG835
• MGT860 | Executive Leadership in Project Management | 3 | All Core Courses
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES899 | Dissertation Defense | 4 | RES810
• MGT870 | Advanced Topics in Project Management | 3 | None
• ENG875 | Special Topics in Technology Ethics | 3 | ENG855
• SOC880 | Community Advocacy and Engineering Practice | 3 | None