Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Global Economics, International Political Economy

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Global Economics, International Political Economy

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 economics and international political economy 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 Global Economics and International Political Economy is a rigorous, research-oriented program designed for scholars and practitioners seeking to analyze the intersection of economic systems, geopolitical structures, and ethical frameworks. The curriculum emphasizes the application of economic theory to global challenges through the lens of stewardship, social justice, and the moral responsibilities inherent in global leadership. Students engage in advanced inquiry regarding market dynamics, international trade, and policy development while maintaining a commitment to serving the common good.
• Through a multidisciplinary approach, the program integrates empirical research methods with normative analysis to address the complexities of a globalized world. Participants are challenged to synthesize sophisticated economic models with principles of servant leadership and ethical decision-making. By fostering an environment of critical reflection and scholarly excellence, the program prepares graduates to contribute meaningfully to academic and professional discourse in the fields of economics and international affairs.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Global Economics, International Political Economy is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based global economics, international political economy theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based global economics, international political economy-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
• RES830
• SOC880
• Social Justice and Global Policy
• 4
• None
• IPE850 — Emerging Market Economies: A comparative analysis of economic transitions in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Explores barriers to entry and structural development challengesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• BUS860 — Corporate Governance and Global Accountability: Investigates the role of multinationals in global governance and environmental sustainability. Critiques current models of fiscal and social accountabilityThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES870 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Guided research to finalize the dissertation topic and methodology. Students present their proposal for faculty review and approvalThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SOC880 — Social Justice and Global Policy: Examines how global economic policies intersect with issues of poverty and injustice. Proposes faith-informed policy solutions to systemic exclusionThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Research I

• 4
• RES870
• IPE910
• Advanced Topics in Global Trade Law
• 4
• None
• BUS920
• Technology and Future Economic Models
• 4
• None
• POL930
• Public Policy and Civil Society Engagement
• 4
• THE840
• DIS900 — Dissertation Research I: Initial phase of independent research and data collection for the doctoral dissertation. Weekly meetings with faculty supervisor requiredThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• IPE910 — Advanced Topics in Global Trade Law: Examines international trade law, dispute resolution, and the legal frameworks governing global commerce. Evaluates how legal systems interact with moral normsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• BUS920 — Technology and Future Economic Models: Explores the impact of digital transformation and emerging technologies on global economic structures. Assesses future risks and opportunities for sustainable developmentThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• POL930 — Public Policy and Civil Society Engagement: This course explores the theoretical frameworks of public policy development and the role of non-governmental actors in shaping legislative agendas. It investigates the intersection of community advocacy, democratic participation, and social policy reform within complex international systems. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research II

• 4
• DIS900
• DIS999

Dissertation Defense

• 4
• DIS950
• IPE960
• Current Issues in Political Economy Seminar
• 3
• None
• BUS970
• Global Leadership and Servant Administration
• 3
• None
• DIS950 — Dissertation Research II: Second phase of independent research focusing on data analysis and drafting chapters. Provides ongoing refinement of research arguments and findingsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DIS999 — Dissertation Defense: Final preparation and defense of the doctoral dissertation. Includes final review by committee and oral defense proceduresThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• IPE960 — Current Issues in Political Economy Seminar: A capstone seminar examining current geopolitical events through the lens of economic and political theory. Students debate potential policy interventionsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• BUS970 — Global Leadership and Servant Administration: Examines the application of servant leadership within global administrative contexts. Focuses on building organizational capacity for sustainable community engagementThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating scholarly endeavor, requiring the candidate to conduct original research that advances the body of knowledge in Faith-Based Global Economics and International Political Economy. The scope of this project involves identifying a significant problem within the global landscape, formulating a robust hypothesis, and applying advanced econometric or qualitative methodologies to generate actionable insights. The deliverable is a comprehensive, book-length document that adheres to the highest standards of academic rigor.
• Integrating the program’s faith-based mission, the dissertation requires candidates to examine their findings through the framework of biblical stewardship, ethical reasoning, and social equity. This process demands that students demonstrate not only academic expertise but also the character development necessary to advocate for human flourishing in the global marketplace. The dissertation represents the synthesis of professional competence and the student’s dedication to serving the global community through scholarship.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methodologies | 3 | Graduate standing
• ECO710 | Advanced Macroeconomic Theory | 3 | Graduate standing
• THE705 | Ethics in Global Leadership | 3 | Graduate standing
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• IPE720 | International Political Economy Foundations | 4 | None
• BUS730 | Stewardship in Global Economic Systems | 4 | None
• RES715 | Applied Econometrics for Doctoral Researchers | 4 | RES700
• HIS740 | Historical Perspectives on Global Trade | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• IPE810 | Seminar in Global Finance and Development | 4 | IPE720
• BUS820 | Labor Markets and Global Human Capital | 4 | None
• RES830 | Qualitative Research in Political Economy | 4 | RES700
• SOC840 | Sociology of Labor and Social Stratification | 4 | THE705
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• IPE850 | Emerging Market Economies | 4 | IPE720
• BUS860 | Corporate Governance and Global Accountability | 4 | None
• RES870 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 4 | RES830
• SOC880 | Social Justice and Global Policy | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS900 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES870
• IPE910 | Advanced Topics in Global Trade Law | 4 | None
• BUS920 | Technology and Future Economic Models | 4 | None
• POL930 | Public Policy and Civil Society Engagement | 4 | THE840
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS950 | Dissertation Research II | 4 | DIS900
• DIS999 | Dissertation Defense | 4 | DIS950
• IPE960 | Current Issues in Political Economy Seminar | 3 | None
• BUS970 | Global Leadership and Servant Administration | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Global Policy Analyst
• Academic Faculty in Economics
• International Development Consultant
• Economic Research Director
• Global Strategy Advisor for Non-Profits
• Government Trade Liaison
• International Humanitarian Policy Coordinator

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 Economics, International Political Economy
• 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 economics and international political economy 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