Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Engineering, Specialization in Infrastructure Community Development

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Engineering and Infrastructure Community Development

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 infrastructure 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, Specialization in Infrastructure Community Development, is an advanced research-oriented degree designed for professionals seeking to integrate technical engineering expertise with the ethical imperatives of community development. The program emphasizes the systematic study of civil and structural systems as tools for stewardship, focusing on the sustainable improvement of underserved communities. Students are prepared to address complex infrastructure challenges through rigorous analytical methodologies and a commitment to servant leadership. By engaging with both advanced theoretical frameworks and applied research, the curriculum addresses the intersection of technical proficiency, social equity, and ethical responsibility in global infrastructure projects. The program fosters critical thinking and strategic foresight, enabling graduates to design resilient solutions that prioritize the dignity of the human person and the long-term well-being of the communities they serve.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Engineering, Specialization in Infrastructure Community Development is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based engineering and infrastructure community development 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 and infrastructure community development-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
• RES800
• COM850
• Communication and Advocacy
• 3
• None
• ENG860
• Environmental Impact Assessment
• 3
• ENG730
• ENG830 — Advanced Fluid and Hydraulic Systems: Provides an in-depth study of hydraulic systems required for clean water and sanitation access in developing regions. Focuses on design, installation, and maintenance protocols. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES840 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Guides the student through the development of a formal dissertation proposal, including literature review and methodology design. Focuses on setting clear research objectives and feasibility. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM850 — Communication and Advocacy: Teaches strategies for communicating technical findings to diverse audiences and policy-makers to advocate for social change. Covers professional presentation and grant writing for community development. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ENG860 — Environmental Impact Assessment: Analyzes the environmental impact of proposed development projects and creates mitigation strategies for sustainable outcomes. Focuses on regulatory compliance and stewardship of natural assets. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 6
• RES840
• ENG910
• Engineering for Disaster Mitigation
• 3
• ENG770
• MGT920
• Organizational Stewardship and Growth
• 3
• MGT740
• RES930
• Advanced Seminar in Engineering Policy
• 3
• None
• DIS900 — Dissertation Research I: Initial phase of independent doctoral research focusing on data collection and preliminary analysis under committee guidance. Emphasis on ethical data stewardship and rigorous inquiry. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ENG910 — Engineering for Disaster Mitigation: Studies the application of resilient engineering in regions prone to natural disasters. Evaluates existing systems and designs improvements for safety and community continuity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT920 — Organizational Stewardship and Growth: Advanced study of organizational capacity building and sustainability in the context of non-profit service. Focuses on scaling operations while maintaining mission integrity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES930 — Advanced Seminar in Engineering Policy: Examines the role of engineers in shaping public policy related to infrastructure and community development. Focuses on the intersection of technical knowledge and civic responsibility. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research II

• 6
• DIS900
• CAP960

Capstone: Integrative Practice

• 3
• DIS900
• ENG970
• Global Infrastructure Trends
• 3
• None
• CHR980
• Ethics and Character in Engineering
• 3
• THE820
• DIS950 — Dissertation Research II: Final phase of the dissertation, focusing on analysis, synthesis of findings, and writing the final document. Culminates in the oral defense before the doctoral committee. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP960 — Capstone: Integrative Practice: Integrates academic research, field experience, and faith-informed ethical principles into a professional presentation. Focuses on translating research into practical application for community service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ENG970 — Global Infrastructure Trends: Critically analyzes emerging trends and technologies in global infrastructure development. Considers the ethical and technical challenges of implementation in varied geopolitical landscapes. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR980 — Ethics and Character in Engineering: A final synthesis course focusing on the development of personal and professional character as a servant leader in engineering. Examines the lifelong commitment to integrity and service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culmination of the doctoral journey, requiring the student to conduct original, independent research that contributes substantially to the field of infrastructure community development. This project is structured as a 12-credit research sequence designed to demonstrate the student's mastery of both rigorous engineering methodology and the application of faith-informed ethical reasoning. Students are expected to identify a critical infrastructure gap, develop a hypothesis, execute a research design, and present findings that offer sustainable, ethically grounded solutions to community-based challenges.
• The research process integrates faith-based perspectives by requiring an explicit analysis of how the proposed engineering solutions promote human flourishing, biblical stewardship of resources, and the principles of servant leadership. The dissertation must show that the student has not only achieved technical competence but has also developed the character to serve as an ethical steward of the physical environment. Deliverables include a formal proposal defense, progress reviews, and the final oral defense of the dissertation, demonstrating the candidate's capacity to engage in scholarly inquiry that serves the common good.

Career Opportunities

• Director of International Infrastructure Development
• Senior Consultant for Faith-Based Non-Profit Engineering
• Technical Policy Advisor for Humanitarian Organizations
• University Professor of Sustainable Engineering
• Director of Regional Infrastructure Planning
• Chief Operations Officer for Development Missions
• Urban Planning Researcher for Community Revitalization

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 Engineering and Infrastructure Community Development
• 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 infrastructure 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 | Research Methods in Engineering | 3 | None
• THE710 | Foundations of Ethical Stewardship | 3 | None
• ENG720 | Advanced Infrastructure Systems | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ENG730 | Sustainable Urban Planning | 4 | ENG720
• MGT740 | Servant Leadership in Nonprofits | 3 | None
• RES750 | Statistical Analysis for Engineering Research | 3 | RES701
• SOC760 | Sociology of Community Development | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ENG770 | Resilient Structural Design | 4 | ENG730
• RES800 | Qualitative Research in Engineering | 3 | RES750
• BUS810 | Project Management for Global Development | 3 | MGT740
• SOC820 | Social Well-being and Human Development | 3 | THE710
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ENG830 | Advanced Fluid and Hydraulic Systems | 4 | ENG770
• RES840 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | RES800
• COM850 | Communication and Advocacy | 3 | None
• ENG860 | Environmental Impact Assessment | 3 | ENG730
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS900 | Dissertation Research I | 6 | RES840
• ENG910 | Engineering for Disaster Mitigation | 3 | ENG770
• MGT920 | Organizational Stewardship and Growth | 3 | MGT740
• RES930 | Advanced Seminar in Engineering Policy | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS950 | Dissertation Research II | 6 | DIS900
• CAP960 | Capstone: Integrative Practice | 3 | DIS900
• ENG970 | Global Infrastructure Trends | 3 | None
• CHR980 | Ethics and Character in Engineering | 3 | THE820