Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Human Rights, Ethics, Global Justice

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Human Rights, Ethics, Global Justice

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 human rights, ethics, and global justice 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 Human Rights, Ethics, and Global Justice is an advanced, research-oriented program designed for scholars and practitioners seeking to address systemic global challenges through an interdisciplinary lens. The curriculum explores the intersection of international human rights frameworks, moral philosophy, and justice-oriented practice, emphasizing the application of ethical rigor to complex societal issues. Students engage in deep intellectual inquiry, critical analysis, and scholarly research to prepare for leadership roles in research, policy, and advocacy. The program fosters a sophisticated understanding of how diverse traditions of moral reasoning inform global justice initiatives. Through a commitment to rigorous academic inquiry, the program encourages students to examine the moral foundations of governance, law, and social policy. By integrating theological perspectives on human dignity with secular human rights discourse, scholars are equipped to contribute original insights to the field of global justice.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Human Rights, Ethics, Global Justice is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based human rights, ethics, and global justice theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based human rights, ethics, and global justice-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 Prospectus Seminar

• 4
• RES740
• COU760 — Restorative Justice Models: Evaluates restorative justice as an alternative to punitive legal models. Discusses the role of reconciliation and healing in repairing community relationshipsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COM770 — Global Communications and Advocacy: Develops skills in communicating ethical research to diverse stakeholders. Focuses on the role of advocacy in promoting human rightsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• EDU780 — Pedagogy of Social Justice: Prepares scholars for teaching in higher education with a focus on justice-based curriculum design. Explores effective models of community-engaged learningThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES800 — Dissertation Prospectus Seminar: Supports students in the development of their dissertation proposal. Includes peer review and faculty feedback on research designThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Research Phase I

• 4
• RES800
• CHR810 — Character Formation for Scholars: A seminar focusing on the integration of faith-informed character and academic integrity. Explores the spiritual disciplines that sustain long-term commitment to justiceThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• HIS820 — Global Conflicts and Peacebuilding: Analyzes the roots of global conflict and strategies for sustainable peacebuilding. Critically assesses the intervention of religious and secular institutionsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHI830 — Advanced Seminar in Applied Ethics: This course examines contemporary dilemmas in ethics through the lens of moral philosophy and institutional responsibility. Students engage in critical discourse regarding decision-making frameworks within complex, pluralistic professional environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS890 — Dissertation Research Phase I: Dedicated time for data collection and primary research on the approved dissertation topic. Regular consultation with the faculty advisor is requiredThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Research Phase II

• 4
• DIS890
• SOC840 — Globalization and Development Ethics: Studies the impacts of globalization on economic development and human rights. Examines ethical strategies for equitable growthThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• MGT850 — Leadership in Non-Profit Governance: Focuses on the management and ethical governance of mission-driven organizations. Emphasizes accountability and sustainable impactThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES860 — Advanced Manuscript Writing: Focuses on the technical aspects of writing a doctoral dissertation. Provides guidance on clarity, academic tone, and publication requirementsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DIS891 — Dissertation Research Phase II: Focused drafting and synthesis of research findings. Candidates refine their arguments and engage in critical peer-review of sectionsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Defense

• 4
• DIS891
• RES895
• Doctoral Research Practicum
• 4
• RES860
• THE870 — Contemporary Ethical Dilemmas: Explores current issues in human rights from an interdisciplinary perspective. Integrates theology, law, and social science in analysisThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• CAP880 — Integrated Justice Leadership Seminar: Synthesizes program learnings into a framework for future practice. Challenges students to articulate a personal philosophy of justice-oriented leadershipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DIS899 — Dissertation Defense: The final defense of the dissertation before an academic committee. Demonstrates scholarly contribution, ethical integration, and research masteryThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES895 — Doctoral Research Practicum: A capstone-integrated experience where students present their research in a formal academic setting. Demonstrates readiness for professional scholarshipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the final, crowning achievement of the PhD program, representing an original contribution to the field of faith-based ethics and global justice. Students are required to conduct a rigorous, independent research study that addresses a significant problem or theme, utilizing advanced methodology to provide new academic insights. The scope of the work must demonstrate mastery of relevant literature, ethical analytical depth, and the ability to synthesize complex theories into practical, justice-oriented discourse.
• Integrating the university's faith-based mission, the dissertation requires students to reflect on the intersection of their research with biblical stewardship, spiritual formation, and ethical accountability. By articulating how their findings relate to the concept of human dignity and the common good, students demonstrate both intellectual competence and moral character. The finished work must be defended before a committee, serving as evidence of the scholar's readiness to engage in faith-informed research and leadership within the global community.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Advanced Research Methods in Social Sciences | 4 | None
• LAW705 | International Human Rights Law and Norms | 4 | None
• ETH710 | Foundations of Ethical Reasoning | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• HIS720 | Historical Perspectives on Global Justice | 4 | RES701
• SOC730 | Social Institutions and Public Policy | 4 | None
• RES740 | Qualitative Analysis and Data Ethics | 4 | RES701
• BUS750 | Stewardship and Organizational Ethics | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COU760 | Restorative Justice Models | 4 | ETH710
• COM770 | Global Communications and Advocacy | 4 | None
• EDU780 | Pedagogy of Social Justice | 4 | None
• RES800 | Dissertation Prospectus Seminar | 4 | RES740
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CHR810 | Character Formation for Scholars | 4 | None
• HIS820 | Global Conflicts and Peacebuilding | 4 | HIS720
• PHI830 | Advanced Seminar in Applied Ethics | 4 | ETH710
• DIS890 | Dissertation Research Phase I | 4 | RES800
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• SOC840 | Globalization and Development Ethics | 4 | SOC730
• MGT850 | Leadership in Non-Profit Governance | 4 | BUS750
• RES860 | Advanced Manuscript Writing | 4 | RES800
• DIS891 | Dissertation Research Phase II | 4 | DIS890
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• THE870 | Contemporary Ethical Dilemmas | 4 | THE705
• CAP880 | Integrated Justice Leadership Seminar | 4 | None
• DIS899 | Dissertation Defense | 4 | DIS891
• RES895 | Doctoral Research Practicum | 4 | RES860

Career Opportunities

• University Professor of Ethics or Human Rights
• Policy Analyst for International NGOs
• Global Justice Advocate
• Human Rights Program Coordinator
• Consultant for Faith-Based Nonprofits
• Research Director for Ethical Think Tanks
• Social Responsibility Director for Corporate Governance

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 Human Rights, Ethics, Global Justice
• 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 human rights, ethics, and global justice 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