Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Global Ethics, Policy

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

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

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 ethics and policy 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 Ethics and Policy is a rigorous, research-intensive degree program designed to equip scholars and practitioners with the advanced analytical tools necessary to address the complex ethical dilemmas facing contemporary global society. Through a multidisciplinary approach, the program integrates political science, international relations, sociology, and moral philosophy to foster a deep understanding of governance, human rights, and economic development within a framework of servant leadership and stewardship. Students engage in sustained scholarly inquiry, participating in critical discourse that bridges the gap between theoretical ethical paradigms and the practical challenges of global policymaking. The curriculum emphasizes the application of rigorous empirical methodology alongside an exploration of foundational values that inform decision-making in diverse international contexts. By cultivating a sophisticated grasp of ethical frameworks, graduates are prepared to contribute meaningful solutions to global concerns while maintaining a commitment to professional integrity and the pursuit of the common good.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Global Ethics, Policy is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based global ethics and policy theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based global ethics, policy-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
• RES700, RES760
• MGT800 — Servant Leadership in Global Organizations: Examines leadership theories focused on service, stewardship, and organizational health. Students evaluate how such models promote ethical outcomes in global settingsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• ETH810 — Environmental Ethics and Stewardship: Analyzes the ethical implications of human interaction with the environment. Students develop policy frameworks based on principles of sustainability and responsible stewardshipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• POL820 — Global Economic Policy Analysis: Investigates the intersection of global trade, finance, and ethics. This course evaluates economic policies through the lens of social justice and equityThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES830 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Guides students through the creation of a formal dissertation proposal. Students define their research question, methodology, and theoretical frameworkThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Research I

• 4
• RES830
• RES910

Dissertation Research II

• 4
• RES900
• ETH880 — Global Health Policy Ethics: Examines ethical challenges in global health, including resource allocation and equitable care access. Students investigate policies that address health disparitiesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• POL890 — International Conflict Resolution: Explores ethical approaches to mediation and conflict transformation in geopolitical disputes. Students analyze the role of diplomacy in fostering sustainable peaceThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES900 — Dissertation Research I: Initial phase of full-scale data collection and primary research for the dissertation. Candidates work closely with their chair to refine analytical rigorThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES910 — Dissertation Research II: Second phase of research focusing on data interpretation and initial drafting of core chapters. Regular committee feedback is integrated into the writing processThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Writing and Synthesis

• 4
• RES910
• CAP950

Dissertation Defense

• 3
• RES920
• ETH930
• Advanced Seminar in Ethics and Policy
• 3
• None
• MGT940
• Professional Ethics in Global Practice
• 3
• None
• RES920 — Dissertation Writing and Synthesis: Focuses on finalizing the dissertation manuscript and preparing the argument for formal presentation. Students integrate ethical reflections throughout their findingsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• CAP950 — Dissertation Defense: The oral defense of the doctoral dissertation before a committee of scholars. Successful defense completes the requirements for the doctoral degreeThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• ETH930 — Advanced Seminar in Ethics and Policy: A synthetic seminar evaluating final research projects from a cohort perspective. Students reflect on their scholarly contribution to the fieldThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• MGT940 — Professional Ethics in Global Practice: Addresses the transition from doctoral student to practitioner or faculty member. Emphasis on maintaining professional and spiritual integrity in the workplaceThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Requirement

• The dissertation constitutes the culminating academic endeavor of the PhD program, representing a significant original contribution to the field of global ethics and public policy. Over the course of the final year, candidates engage in sustained, autonomous research under the guidance of a faculty committee to explore a specialized problem at the intersection of international policy and normative ethics. The dissertation requires a rigorous methodology, comprehensive literature review, and the synthesis of complex data to address a specific societal challenge. Beyond academic rigor, the dissertation serves as an instrument for the integration of a faith-informed worldview; students are encouraged to examine how principles of biblical stewardship, justice, and the sanctity of human dignity inform policy solutions. This project demonstrates both intellectual mastery of the chosen discipline and the development of the candidate’s capacity to lead with profound ethical integrity in a global context.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methodology | 3 | None
• ETH710 | Foundations of Global Ethics | 3 | None
• POL720 | International Relations Theory | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• SOC730 | Sociology of Global Development | 4 | None
• POL740 | Comparative Public Policy | 4 | None
• ETH750 | Human Rights and International Law | 4 | None
• RES760 | Data Analysis for Policy Research | 4 | RES700
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MGT800 | Servant Leadership in Global Organizations | 4 | None
• ETH810 | Environmental Ethics and Stewardship | 4 | None
• POL820 | Global Economic Policy Analysis | 4 | None
• RES830 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 4 | RES700, RES760
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ETH840 | Ethics of Humanitarian Aid | 4 | None
• POL850 | Governance and Public Integrity | 4 | None
• SOC860 | Cultural Diversity and Policy Integration | 4 | None
• RES870 | Advanced Qualitative Inquiry | 4 | RES700
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ETH880 | Global Health Policy Ethics | 4 | None
• POL890 | International Conflict Resolution | 4 | None
• RES900 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES830
• RES910 | Dissertation Research II | 4 | RES900
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES920 | Dissertation Writing and Synthesis | 4 | RES910
• CAP950 | Dissertation Defense | 3 | RES920
• ETH930 | Advanced Seminar in Ethics and Policy | 3 | None
• MGT940 | Professional Ethics in Global Practice | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• International Policy Analyst
• Academic Faculty at Global Institutions
• Director of Ethics for Non-Governmental Organizations
• Diplomatic Advisor for Faith-Based Advocacy Groups
• Senior Consultant for Global Economic Development
• Human Rights Policy Strategist
• Director of Research for Think Tanks

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 Ethics, Policy
• 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 ethics and policy 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