Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based English Literature, Specialization in Education

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based English Literature

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 English literature 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 in Faith-Based English Literature, Specialization in Education, is an advanced research degree designed for scholars who intend to bridge the gap between canonical literature and educational theory through the lens of ethical stewardship and servant leadership. The program examines the intersections of narrative, moral philosophy, and pedagogical practice, equipping students to contribute to the humanities through rigorous academic inquiry. By emphasizing critical analysis and the integration of diverse literary frameworks, the curriculum prepares graduates to engage with complex cultural questions from a foundation of character-driven scholarship. Students engage in deep examination of textual analysis, educational psychology, and critical pedagogy, fostering an environment of intellectual growth and academic excellence. The program maintains a focus on the ethical application of literary studies to contemporary educational settings, ensuring that research and teaching are grounded in service and institutional integrity. Through interdisciplinary study, the degree cultivates an understanding of how narrative shapes individual identity and community structures, enabling graduates to lead with wisdom and moral clarity.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based English Literature is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based English literature theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based English literature-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
• RES810
• EDU835
• Professional Ethics and Public Service
• 4
• THE735
• ENG820 — Literature and Social Justice: Examination of narratives that address social inequity and the call for justice through an ethical and community-centered perspective. Students evaluate literary contributions to social change. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU825 — Leadership in Higher Education: Study of administrative and faculty leadership roles in higher education, focusing on mission-driven decision-making and community engagement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES830 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Guided development of a dissertation research proposal including literature review and methodology design. Focuses on ethical research practices and academic clarity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU835 — Professional Ethics and Public Service: This course examines the socio-economic impact of civic engagement and the philosophical foundations of career ethics within modern public and private sectors. Students analyze historical models of community involvement and the professional responsibilities associated with educational leadership roles. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation represents the culminating intellectual achievement of the PhD program, serving as an original contribution to the field of English literature and education. Students are expected to identify a unique research problem, conduct systematic inquiry, and present findings that bridge literary analysis with practical educational application. The scope of the work must demonstrate rigorous academic scholarship, logical coherence, and a sophisticated integration of faith-based principles, particularly regarding ethical reasoning and the stewardship of knowledge.
• Throughout the dissertation process, students work under the guidance of a faculty committee to ensure the project meets professional standards and institutional values. The final deliverable consists of a scholarly manuscript that highlights the candidate's ability to engage in independent research while applying a servant-leadership perspective to educational challenges. The dissertation integrates spiritual formation and ethical integrity by requiring students to reflect on the moral implications of their findings and their future roles as scholarly practitioners in the community. Completion of the dissertation phase marks the transition from student to independent scholar, ready to engage in professional service and academic teaching.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methodologies | 3 | None
• ENG705 | Literary Theory and Moral Philosophy | 3 | None
• EDU710 | Pedagogy and Servant Leadership | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ENG720 | Canon and Culture | 3 | ENG705
• EDU725 | Curriculum Design for Character Formation | 3 | EDU710
• RES730 | Advanced Qualitative Research | 3 | RES700
• THE735 | Ethical Frameworks in Higher Education | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ENG800 | Studies in World Literature | 4 | ENG720
• EDU805 | Educational Psychology for the Humanities | 4 | EDU725
• RES810 | Quantitative Data Analysis | 4 | RES730
• HIS815 | Intellectual History and Education | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ENG820 | Literature and Social Justice | 4 | ENG800
• EDU825 | Leadership in Higher Education | 4 | EDU805
• RES830 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 4 | RES810
• EDU835 | Professional Ethics and Public Service | 4 | THE735
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ENG840 | Rhetoric and Discourse Analysis | 4 | ENG820
• EDU845 | Advanced Seminar in Educational Policy | 4 | EDU825
• RES850 | Doctoral Research Practicum | 4 | RES830
• CAP855 | Professional Teaching Portfolio | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS900 | Doctoral Dissertation I | 4 | RES850
• DIS901 | Doctoral Dissertation II | 4 | DIS900
• DIS902 | Doctoral Dissertation III | 4 | DIS901
• RES905 | Scholarly Publishing and Dissemination | 4 | DIS902

Career Opportunities

• University Professor of English or Education
• Educational Program Administrator
• Curriculum Developer for Nonprofit Educational Organizations
• Humanities Research Consultant
• Educational Policy Advisor for Faith-Based Organizations
• Literary Editor or Publication Director
• Academic Writing Center Director
• Organizational Leadership Trainer

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 English Literature
• 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 English literature 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