Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Humanitarianism, Conflict Response, Specialization in Response

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Humanitarianism, Conflict Response

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

Three to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, academic progress, and completion of the doctoral project

Advanced humanitarianism and conflict response specialization courses

30 credit hours

Leadership, administration, and professional practice

21 credit hours

Research methods and program evaluation

18 credit hours

Professional application and doctoral residency

15 credit hours

Advanced electives or concentration courses

12 credit hours

Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy

6 credit hours

Applied doctoral project and defense

18 credit hours

Total

120 semester credit hours

The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Humanitarianism and Conflict Response is an advanced, interdisciplinary doctoral program designed to equip scholars and practitioners with the theoretical rigor and empirical research skills necessary to address complex global humanitarian challenges. Through a sophisticated integration of social science methodologies and ethical frameworks, the program fosters a profound understanding of the intersection between human suffering, systemic conflict, and the restorative influence of faith-driven organizational service. The curriculum emphasizes the application of high-level analytical tools to address societal instability while maintaining a commitment to stewardship and servant leadership in diverse cultural contexts. By engaging in rigorous academic inquiry, students are prepared to contribute original research that advances the literature on sustainable humanitarian interventions and conflict mitigation strategies, ensuring that their work remains grounded in ethical principles and community-focused efficacy.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Humanitarianism, Conflict Response is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based humanitarianism, conflict response knowledge, organizational leadership, ethical stewardship, program development, community-care systems, higher-education instruction, and evidence-informed professional practice.

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 number of courses and the amount of time required to complete the degree. A student receiving the maximum transfer-credit award must complete at least 80 semester credit hours through the University.

The applied doctoral project must address a documented faith-based humanitarianism, conflict response-support, educational, organizational, or community-care need. The project must include scholarly research, an implementation model, measurable outcomes, ethical safeguards, an evaluation plan, 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.

Program Details

• Total Credits: 120
• Duration: 3 years
• Degree Level: Doctorate

Dissertation I: Research and Drafting

• 3
• RES850
• RES880 — Advanced Data Synthesis: Integration of primary research data into a coherent and defensible scholarly document. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC890 — Advanced Special Topics in Humanitarian Response: A deep dive into specific current issues in international relief, such as displacement and health equity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR895 — Seminar in Ethical Leadership: Peer review and discussion on the challenges of maintaining character-based leadership in the field. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS898 — Dissertation I: Research and Drafting: Guided research phase focusing on the initial drafting of the dissertation chapters. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation II: Defense and Publication

• 4
• DIS898
• MGT900
• Applied Strategy for Global Impact
• 3
• None
• RES910
• Advanced Scholarly Writing and Publishing
• 3
• RES880
• CAP920

Capstone of Ethical Integration

• 4
• None
• DIS899 — Dissertation II: Defense and Publication: Final review and defense of the doctoral dissertation before a panel of faculty experts. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT900 — Applied Strategy for Global Impact: Students translate their research findings into actionable strategic plans for organizations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES910 — Advanced Scholarly Writing and Publishing: Training in the dissemination of scholarly findings to journals and public policy forums. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP920 — Capstone of Ethical Integration: Final integration of academic learning and personal formation goals as students prepare for professional practice. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic experience for the PhD program, representing an original, significant contribution to the field of humanitarian studies. Students identify a critical research problem related to conflict response or humanitarian action, executing a systematic study that adheres to the highest standards of academic rigor and empirical integrity. The dissertation process requires the candidate to demonstrate a mastery of research methodology, theoretical conceptualization, and scholarly communication, providing clear evidence of their readiness to operate as a professional researcher or expert consultant.
• Beyond technical proficiency, the dissertation requires the integration of faith-based perspectives, challenging students to articulate how their findings reflect a commitment to human dignity, justice, and service. Students must demonstrate how their research addresses the needs of vulnerable populations through the lens of ethical stewardship and biblical principles, reflecting their growth in spiritual maturity and academic expertise. The final document must be defended before a faculty committee, affirming that the candidate has successfully synthesized their disciplinary research with an enduring commitment to character-driven service and leadership.

Career Opportunities

• Humanitarian Program Director
• International Conflict Mitigation Consultant
• Senior Policy Analyst for Faith-Based NGOs
• Academic Researcher in Social Science
• Nonprofit Strategy Consultant
• Director of Global Missions and Outreach

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 | Ed.D. in Faith-Based Humanitarianism, Conflict Response
• 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 | Three to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, academic progress, and completion of the doctoral project
• Advanced humanitarianism and conflict response specialization courses | 30 credit hours
• Leadership, administration, and professional practice | 21 credit hours
• Research methods and program evaluation | 18 credit hours
• Professional application and doctoral residency | 15 credit hours
• Advanced electives or concentration courses | 12 credit hours
• Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy | 6 credit hours
• Applied doctoral project and defense | 18 credit hours
• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Advanced Research Methodology | 3 | None
• THE705 | Foundations of Ethical Stewardship | 3 | None
• SOC710 | Sociology of Conflict and Social Change | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MGT720 | Leadership in Humanitarian Organizations | 4 | None
• RES730 | Quantitative Methods for Social Analysis | 3 | RES701
• HUM740 | Human Rights and International Law | 4 | None
• MGT750 | Professional Ethics and Organizational Identity | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• SOC801 | Dynamics of Global Poverty | 4 | None
• RES810 | Advanced Qualitative Research | 4 | RES701
• COU820 | Psychosocial Support in Conflict Zones | 3 | None
• BUS830 | Nonprofit Resource Stewardship | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• HIS840 | History of Global Humanitarianism | 3 | None
• RES850 | Proposal Writing for Doctoral Research | 3 | RES810
• MGT860 | Intercultural Organizational Communication | 4 | None
• SOC870 | Human Rights and Social Equity | 4 | THE705
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES880 | Advanced Data Synthesis | 4 | RES850
• SOC890 | Advanced Special Topics in Humanitarian Response | 4 | None
• CHR895 | Seminar in Ethical Leadership | 3 | None
• DIS898 | Dissertation I: Research and Drafting | 3 | RES850
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS899 | Dissertation II: Defense and Publication | 4 | DIS898
• MGT900 | Applied Strategy for Global Impact | 3 | None
• RES910 | Advanced Scholarly Writing and Publishing | 3 | RES880
• CAP920 | Capstone of Ethical Integration | 4 | None