Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Global Media, Communication

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Global Media, Communication

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 Media, Communication 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 Global Media and Communication at HBI University is an advanced research-oriented program designed to cultivate scholars who can critically analyze the intersection of digital media, cultural communication, and ethical leadership in a global context. The curriculum emphasizes the rigorous investigation of communication strategies, technological transformation, and the socio-cultural impact of media systems across diverse geopolitical landscapes.
• Students engage in deep exploration of media theory, digital narrative structure, and strategic communication, while simultaneously fostering the analytical skills required to address complex information challenges. By maintaining a focus on empirical research and theoretical synthesis, the program prepares graduates to contribute original knowledge to the field of communication studies, ensuring they are well-equipped to lead, teach, and influence media discourse with intellectual depth and integrity.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Global Media, Communication is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based global media, communication theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based global media, communication-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
• RES800
• RES800 — Qualitative Research Design: Focuses on ethnographic and phenomenological research approaches within communication studies. Students prepare for dissertation-level inquiry through extensive literature review and field study preparationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COM810 — International Media Systems: Students compare media regulatory frameworks and information freedom across different nations. The course evaluates the impact of these systems on global public opinionThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COM820 — Persuasion and Social Change: This course explores the mechanics of persuasive communication and its impact on societal development. Students consider the moral implications of utilizing communication as a tool for public benefitThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES830 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Students finalize their dissertation topic and research questions under faculty supervision. This course concludes with a formal proposal defense before the department committeeThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Research Phase I

• 4
• RES830
• COM890
• Global Crisis Communication
• 4
• None
• COM891
• Digital Pedagogy
• 4
• None
• RES895
• Advanced Statistical Review
• 3
• RES730
• DIS880 — Dissertation Research Phase I: The first phase of the dissertation, focusing on primary data collection and analysis. Students work closely with their advisors to ensure methodological rigorThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COM890 — Global Crisis Communication: Analyzes how large-scale crises are communicated globally, emphasizing accuracy and ethical response strategies. Students apply best practices to complex international scenariosThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COM891 — Digital Pedagogy: Explores methods for teaching communication studies in an online, globalized environment. Students develop instructional materials grounded in pedagogical best practicesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES895 — Advanced Statistical Review: Provides a final review of complex data modeling for research candidates nearing completion of their studies. Focuses on ensuring high analytical standards for final manuscriptsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Defense and Submission

• 4
• DIS880
• COM900
• Advanced Strategic Consulting
• 4
• None
• COM910
• Globalization and Media Markets
• 4
• None
• COM920
• Future of Communication Studies
• 3
• None
• DIS899 — Dissertation Defense and Submission: The final phase of the dissertation, requiring the completion and oral defense of the scholarly manuscript. Students demonstrate original contribution to the field of global communicationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COM900 — Advanced Strategic Consulting: Students apply their research to real-world communication challenges, acting as consultants for identified organizational issues. Focuses on sustainable solutions and ethical impactThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COM910 — Globalization and Media Markets: An analysis of the economics of global media systems. Students evaluate how market trends influence the availability and content of media across different regionsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COM920 — Future of Communication Studies: A concluding seminar synthesizing current trends, prospective technologies, and the future role of communication professionals in a global contextThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating scholarly endeavor, requiring students to execute an original, independent research project that makes a substantive contribution to the field of global media and communication. Students are expected to identify a significant problem, conduct rigorous methodology-driven research, and produce a high-quality manuscript that demonstrates mastery of the subject matter and analytical maturity.
• Integration of faith-based perspectives is mandatory, requiring students to examine their research topics through the lenses of ethical stewardship, the moral implications of media representation, and the application of servant leadership in digital spaces. This project challenges candidates to synthesize professional expertise with a commitment to integrity, ensuring that their intellectual contributions reflect both academic excellence and a disciplined, faith-informed worldview.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methodology | 3 | None
• COM705 | Global Communication Theory | 3 | None
• ETH710 | Ethics in Global Media | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COM720 | Media and Cultural Identity | 4 | COM705
• RES730 | Quantitative Data Analysis | 4 | RES700
• MGT740 | Leadership in Global Organizations | 4 | None
• COM750 | Digital Convergence Strategies | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Qualitative Research Design | 4 | RES700
• COM810 | International Media Systems | 4 | COM705
• COM820 | Persuasion and Social Change | 4 | None
• RES830 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 4 | RES800
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COM840 | Advanced Media Analytics | 4 | RES730
• SOC850 | Sociology of New Media | 4 | None
• COM860 | Conflict Resolution in Media | 4 | None
• POL870 | Advanced Seminar in Public Policy and Media | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS880 | Dissertation Research Phase I | 4 | RES830
• COM890 | Global Crisis Communication | 4 | None
• COM891 | Digital Pedagogy | 4 | None
• RES895 | Advanced Statistical Review | 3 | RES730
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS899 | Dissertation Defense and Submission | 4 | DIS880
• COM900 | Advanced Strategic Consulting | 4 | None
• COM910 | Globalization and Media Markets | 4 | None
• COM920 | Future of Communication Studies | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Higher Education Professor
• Global Media Policy Analyst
• Strategic Communication Director
• Digital Content Strategist
• Non-profit Communications Consultant
• International Media Researcher
• Public Policy Advisor

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 Media, Communication
• 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 Media, Communication 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