Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Global Leadership

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Global Leadership

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 leadership 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 Leadership is a terminal degree program designed for scholar-practitioners seeking to advance their expertise in organizational theory, leadership ethics, and international systems. Through a rigorous interdisciplinary approach, students examine the intersections of administrative excellence and social responsibility within diverse global contexts. The curriculum emphasizes the application of high-level academic research to the practical challenges of stewardship, servant leadership, and cross-cultural engagement, ensuring that graduates are equipped to lead with integrity in an increasingly complex world.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Global Leadership is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based global leadership theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based global leadership-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

• 3
• RES750
• LDR770
• Systems Thinking and Change
• 3
• None
• LDR755 — Policy and Global Governance: Examines the legal and political frameworks surrounding international NGOs. Analyzes the role of governance in maintaining organizational transparency. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS760 — Sustainable Community Development: Evaluating models for community intervention and social transformation. Focuses on collaborative approaches to long-term community health. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES765 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Students formalize their research inquiry into a comprehensive proposal. This process involves intense drafting and faculty review. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LDR770 — Systems Thinking and Change: Application of systems theory to drive change within complex social organizations. Students practice diagnostic and intervention techniques. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 4
• RES765
• LDR805
• Strategic Leadership Workshop
• 3
• None
• THE810
• Applied Ethics for Global Leaders
• 3
• THE710
• LDR815
• Organizational Culture Development
• 3
• None
• RES800 — Dissertation Research I: Initial phases of data collection and fieldwork for the doctoral dissertation. Students work under faculty supervision to execute their methodology. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LDR805 — Strategic Leadership Workshop: Advanced workshop on solving contemporary leadership hurdles. Focuses on peer review and applied consulting strategies. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE810 — Applied Ethics for Global Leaders: Advanced synthesis of ethical frameworks applied to global leadership challenges. Encourages the integration of values in high-stakes environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LDR815 — Organizational Culture Development: Research on building and maintaining positive organizational culture within diverse workforces. Focuses on retention and morale. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research II

• 4
• RES800
• CAP899

Dissertation Defense

• 3
• RES820
• LDR825
• Global Trends in Philanthropy
• 3
• None
• LDR830
• Advocacy and Public Influence
• 3
• None
• RES820 — Dissertation Research II: Final phase of research completion, writing, and analytical reporting. Focuses on synthesizing findings for the final dissertation document. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP899 — Dissertation Defense: Formal submission and defense of the doctoral research project to the dissertation committee. Candidates demonstrate competency and scholarly rigor. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LDR825 — Global Trends in Philanthropy: Analysis of shifts in global funding and philanthropic trends. Students assess the impact on long-term sustainability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LDR830 — Advocacy and Public Influence: Strategies for engaging public discourse to support mission-driven initiatives. Focuses on clear, persuasive, and ethical communication. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the terminal scholarly project for the PhD in Faith-Based Global Leadership, representing a significant contribution to the field. Students must identify a critical leadership problem, conduct an original empirical or theoretical study, and produce a dissertation that adheres to the highest standards of academic rigor. This process is supported by a faculty committee and emphasizes the development of original insights into administrative practice and global strategy.
• The dissertation encourages the substantive integration of faith-based principles, specifically exploring how ethical reasoning, servant leadership, and biblical stewardship inform solutions to contemporary organizational dilemmas. Through this research, students demonstrate both advanced cognitive mastery of their discipline and a commitment to character-informed leadership. The final deliverable requires a successful oral defense and formal submission, confirming the student's ability to operate as an independent scholar within a global, faith-informed context.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Advanced Research Methodologies | 4 | None
• LDR705 | Global Leadership Foundations | 3 | None
• THE710 | Ethical Stewardship and Philosophy | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES715 | Quantitative Data Analysis | 4 | RES701
• LDR720 | Servant Leadership in Practice | 3 | LDR705
• BUS725 | Global Organizational Strategy | 3 | None
• RES730 | Qualitative Inquiry | 3 | RES701
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LDR735 | Cross-Cultural Organizational Dynamics | 4 | None
• BUS740 | Nonprofit Resource Management | 3 | None
• PSY745 | Psychology of Executive Development | 3 | None
• RES750 | Advanced Literature Review | 3 | RES701
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LDR755 | Policy and Global Governance | 4 | None
• BUS760 | Sustainable Community Development | 3 | None
• RES765 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | RES750
• LDR770 | Systems Thinking and Change | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES765
• LDR805 | Strategic Leadership Workshop | 3 | None
• THE810 | Applied Ethics for Global Leaders | 3 | THE710
• LDR815 | Organizational Culture Development | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES820 | Dissertation Research II | 4 | RES800
• CAP899 | Dissertation Defense | 3 | RES820
• LDR825 | Global Trends in Philanthropy | 3 | None
• LDR830 | Advocacy and Public Influence | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• International Non-Profit Executive Director
• Global Policy Consultant
• Academic Administrator
• Strategic Organizational Strategist
• Humanitarian Organization Program Director
• Ethical Leadership Consultant
• Community Development Liaison

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 Leadership
• 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 leadership 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