Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Global Development, Policy Development

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Global Development, Policy 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

Four to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, research progress, and dissertation completion

Advanced faith-based global development and policy theory

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 Global Development and Policy Development is a rigorous, research-oriented doctoral program designed to equip scholars and practitioners with the advanced analytical tools necessary to address complex international development challenges. The curriculum integrates sophisticated policy analysis, economic modeling, and social science research methods within a framework of ethical stewardship and global responsibility. Students engage in deep inquiry into the systemic drivers of global inequality and the institutional mechanisms required to implement sustainable, transformative policy solutions.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Global Development, Policy Development is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based global development, policy development theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based global development, policy development-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 Defense

• 3
• RES870
• POL890
• Advanced Topics in Policy Reform
• 4
• None
• POL875 — Global Security and Policy Impacts: Analyzes the link between economic instability, policy failure, and regional conflict. Emphasizes the development of stabilizing policy solutionsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• MGT880 — Sustainable Development Advocacy: Focuses on mobilizing resources and support for long-term development sustainability. Explores the ethics of fundraising and resource allocationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DIS885 — Dissertation Proposal Defense: The candidate defends their research proposal before a faculty committee. Approval authorizes the student to proceed to formal data collection and writingThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• POL890 — Advanced Topics in Policy Reform: Explores contemporary issues in international policy, including climate, migration, and digital infrastructure. Develops adaptive thinking for evolving global landscapesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Writing and Defense

• 6
• DIS885
• POL905

Capstone Seminar: Ethical Leadership in Practice

• 3
• None
• SOC910
• Advanced Sociological Policy Research
• 3
• None
• THE915
• Character Formation and Global Service
• 3
• None
• DIS900 — Dissertation Writing and Defense: The final stage of the program requiring the completion, submission, and successful oral defense of the doctoral dissertation. Demonstrates research mastery and professional integrityThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• POL905 — Capstone Seminar: Ethical Leadership in Practice: A final synthesis course where students reflect on their role as global leaders. Integrates academic findings with personal commitment to service and integrityThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SOC910 — Advanced Sociological Policy Research: Examines complex social stratification patterns and their impact on development outcomes. Provides a final look at equitable solution modelsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• THE915 — Character Formation and Global Service: Explores the necessity of character, moral courage, and resilience in long-term international service. Final assessment of professional and ethical maturityThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic experience for the PhD program, representing an original contribution to the field of global development. Students are required to conduct independent, rigorous research that addresses a significant policy challenge, demonstrating mastery of the literature, methodological expertise, and the ability to synthesize complex data into practical policy recommendations. The scope of the project must be comprehensive, reflecting the candidate's capacity for advanced critical inquiry.
• Integration of faith-based perspectives is a foundational component of the dissertation. Candidates must demonstrate how their research aligns with a commitment to biblical stewardship, justice, and the holistic well-being of global populations. By applying ethical reasoning to policy implementation, the student showcases how their academic work serves as a vehicle for servant leadership, ensuring that research outcomes are not only intellectually sound but also morally directed toward the empowerment of vulnerable communities.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | 3 | None
• POL805 | Foundations of Global Policy Development | 3 | None
• THE810 | Ethical Stewardship in Global Governance | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES815 | Quantitative Policy Analysis | 4 | RES800
• POL820 | International Economic Systems | 4 | None
• MGT825 | Organizational Leadership in Global Contexts | 3 | None
• SOC830 | Social Justice and Global Development | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL835 | Policy Implementation Strategies | 4 | POL805
• HIS840 | Historical Perspectives on Global Growth | 3 | None
• RES845 | Advanced Research Design for Dissertation | 3 | RES815
• BUS850 | Public-Private Partnerships in Development | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL855 | Comparative Policy Models | 3 | POL805
• COM860 | Strategic Communication for Policy Reform | 3 | None
• INT865 | International Development Paradigms | 3 | THE810
• RES870 | Data Analysis Workshop | 4 | RES845
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL875 | Global Security and Policy Impacts | 3 | POL805
• MGT880 | Sustainable Development Advocacy | 3 | MGT825
• DIS885 | Dissertation Proposal Defense | 3 | RES870
• POL890 | Advanced Topics in Policy Reform | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS900 | Dissertation Writing and Defense | 6 | DIS885
• POL905 | Capstone Seminar: Ethical Leadership in Practice | 3 | None
• SOC910 | Advanced Sociological Policy Research | 3 | None
• THE915 | Character Formation and Global Service | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• International Policy Consultant
• Director of Global Development Initiatives
• Senior Research Analyst for Humanitarian Organizations
• Governmental Policy Advisor
• Academic Faculty in Global Studies
• NGO Executive Director
• International Human Rights Advocate

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 Global Development, Policy 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 | Four to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, research progress, and dissertation completion
• Advanced faith-based global development and policy theory | 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