Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Film Production, Specialization in Documentary, Media Activism

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Film Production

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 film production 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 Film Production with a specialization in Documentary and Media Activism is a rigorous research-oriented program designed to cultivate scholars who can synthesize cinematic artistry with critical social inquiry. Students engage with the theoretical and practical dimensions of nonfiction storytelling, examining how film serves as a catalyst for social consciousness and community engagement within a global context. The curriculum emphasizes the intersection of visual aesthetics, historical narratives, and ethical stewardship of the medium to foster transformative cultural dialogue. By integrating technical mastery with scholarly research, candidates develop the capacity to produce compelling documentary works that reflect a commitment to human dignity and social justice. This program prepares students to navigate the complexities of contemporary media landscapes while maintaining a steadfast commitment to the values of service and ethical integrity.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Film Production is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based film production theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based film production-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 Production I

• 4
• FIL810
• RES860
• Writing the Dissertation Thesis
• 4
• RES800
• HUM870
• Contemporary Philosophical Issues
• 3
• None
• HUM880
• Professional Ethics and Career Development
• 3
• None
• FIL850 — Dissertation Production I: Students begin the principal photography and creative execution of their doctoral dissertation project. This course requires intense focus on the application of learned methodologies and ethical storytelling. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES860 — Writing the Dissertation Thesis: Provides structured time for writing the theoretical and historical chapters of the dissertation. Students synthesize their filmic research with established scholarly discourse. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HUM870 — Contemporary Philosophical Issues: Examines current philosophical challenges and their impact on media interpretation and ethical reasoning. Students engage with questions of identity, community, and purpose. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HUM880 — Professional Ethics and Career Development: This course explores the intersection of individual professional identity, ethical frameworks, and the development of long-term career goals. Students will engage with theories of professional practice and the integration of personal values within the nonprofit sector. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Production II: Completion

• 4
• FIL850
• CAP895

Dissertation Defense and Portfolio

• 4
• RES860
• COM896
• Media Advocacy Professionalism
• 3
• None
• MIN897
• Servant Leadership in Practice
• 3
• None
• FIL890 — Dissertation Production II: Completion: The final stage of the doctoral project involving post-production, editing, and the completion of the written thesis. Students finalize their work for the formal committee defense. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP895 — Dissertation Defense and Portfolio: Candidates present and defend their completed scholarly and creative work before a faculty committee. The process evaluates the student’s mastery of the discipline and their integration of faith-informed practice. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM896 — Media Advocacy Professionalism: Discusses post-graduation career paths, focusing on ethical professional practice and academic networking. Students prepare their portfolios for institutional or public placement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN897 — Servant Leadership in Practice: A capstone seminar focused on the application of servant leadership within the candidate's chosen field of study. Participants evaluate their personal commitment to ethics and community service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The dissertation serves as the terminal scholarly and creative requirement for the Doctor of Philosophy. Candidates must produce a significant body of work that includes both a written research thesis and a substantial documentary film project. The written component must demonstrate mastery of literature, critical theory, and methodological rigor, while the film project must embody the student’s unique contribution to the genre of activist documentary. This capstone allows students to translate abstract ethical and philosophical frameworks into concrete visual narratives, reflecting a mature, faith-informed perspective on social challenges and community needs. Students work under the guidance of a faculty committee to ensure that the work meets the highest standards of academic integrity and artistic excellence. The dissertation must exemplify the student's capacity for independent research and their dedication to using media for the stewardship of truth, justice, and human flourishing, demonstrating an integration of scholarly competence and a Christ-centered ethic of service.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Research Methodologies in Humanities | 4 | None
• FIL710 | Documentary Theory and History | 3 | None
• THE720 | Ethics and Stewardship in Media | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• FIL730 | Advanced Cinematography Techniques | 4 | None
• COM740 | Media Activism and Social Change | 3 | None
• RES750 | Advanced Qualitative Analysis | 4 | RES700
• MIN760 | Leadership and Community Engagement | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• FIL770 | Documentary Pre-Production and Planning | 4 | FIL710
• COM780 | Digital Storytelling and Advocacy | 4 | None
• SOC790 | Sociology of Cultural Institutions | 3 | None
• RES800 | Research Seminar for Dissertation | 3 | RES750
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• FIL810 | Advanced Post-Production Editing | 4 | FIL730
• COM820 | Global Media and Cultural Perspectives | 3 | None
• EDU830 | Pedagogy of Media and Advocacy | 3 | None
• BUS840 | Nonprofit Media Management | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• FIL850 | Dissertation Production I | 4 | FIL810
• RES860 | Writing the Dissertation Thesis | 4 | RES800
• HUM870 | Contemporary Philosophical Issues | 3 | None
• HUM880 | Professional Ethics and Career Development | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• FIL890 | Dissertation Production II: Completion | 4 | FIL850
• CAP895 | Dissertation Defense and Portfolio | 4 | RES860
• COM896 | Media Advocacy Professionalism | 3 | None
• MIN897 | Servant Leadership in Practice | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Documentary Film Producer
• University Professor of Media Studies
• Nonprofit Communications Director
• Media Activism Consultant
• Educational Documentary Specialist
• Community Engagement Strategist
• Cultural Media Researcher

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 Film Production
• 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 film production 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