Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based International Environmental Studies

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based International Environmental Studies

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 international environmental studies 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 International Environmental Studies at HBI University is an advanced research-oriented program designed to prepare scholars to address global ecological challenges through a lens of stewardship and ethical responsibility. The curriculum integrates rigorous scientific inquiry, socio-political analysis, and philosophical frameworks to examine the complex relationship between human societies and the natural world. Students are challenged to synthesize diverse disciplinary perspectives to develop innovative solutions for sustainable environmental governance and resource management. Through a combination of advanced research methodology and theoretical exploration, the program fosters a profound understanding of environmental justice within international contexts. This degree program equips candidates to lead initiatives that promote the conservation of global resources, the mitigation of climate-related crises, and the implementation of equitable environmental policies. By emphasizing the intersection of sustainability and human flourishing, graduates are prepared to serve as thought leaders who integrate academic expertise with a commitment to integrity, global service, and the preservation of the planet for future generations.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based International Environmental Studies is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based international environmental studies theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based international environmental studies-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, RES820
• ENV860
• Urban Sustainability and Planning
• 4
• None
• ENV840 — Renewable Energy Transitions: Technical and policy evaluation of global energy transitions. Focuses on the feasibility and impact of shifting to sustainable power sourcesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• BUS850 — Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility: Analysis of business practices that integrate sustainable development and ethical standards. Examines how corporations influence environmental standards globallyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES855 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Formal preparation of the dissertation topic, literature review, and methodology. Students work closely with advisors to ensure academic alignment and feasibilityThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• ENV860 — Urban Sustainability and Planning: Exploration of sustainable urban design in rapidly developing international cities. Focuses on infrastructure, public health, and environmental healthThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Research I

• 5
• RES855
• ENV875
• Advanced International Policy Seminar
• 3
• ENV701
• SOC880
• Community-Based Environmental Engagement
• 3
• None
• ENV885
• Ecological Systems and Environmental Philosophy
• 3
• THE705
• CAP870 — Dissertation Research I: First phase of independent research for the dissertation. Focuses on primary data collection and systematic analysis of findingsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• ENV875 — Advanced International Policy Seminar: Seminar on current geopolitical challenges in international environmental governance. Focuses on comparative policy studiesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SOC880 — Community-Based Environmental Engagement: Practice of engaging local communities in conservation efforts. Examines the role of civic participation in ensuring long-term environmental sustainabilityThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• ENV885 — Ecological Systems and Environmental Philosophy: This course explores the intersection of biological systems and environmental philosophy to understand the intrinsic value of natural resources. Students analyze how theoretical perspectives on nature inform contemporary conservation strategies and landscape management. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research II

• 4
• CAP870
• CAP895

Dissertation Defense

• 4
• CAP890
• RES899
• Advanced Research Synthesis
• 3
• None
• ENV898
• Professional Practice Seminar
• 3
• None
• CAP890 — Dissertation Research II: Continuation of dissertation research and final document composition. Includes final review and synthesis of theoretical and empirical contributionsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• CAP895 — Dissertation Defense: Formal defense of the dissertation before a faculty committee. Evaluates scholarly contributions, methodological rigor, and academic communication skillsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES899 — Advanced Research Synthesis: Final synthesis of doctoral research skills and preparation for professional academic contribution. Focuses on dissemination and publicationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• ENV898 — Professional Practice Seminar: Prepares candidates for roles in academia or international environmental leadership. Focuses on ethical integrity and public speakingThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation is the capstone of the PhD program, representing an original, scholarly contribution to the field of international environmental studies. Students are expected to conduct rigorous empirical research that addresses a significant gap in the literature while demonstrating a sophisticated application of faith-informed ethical frameworks. The scope of the work must be international in orientation, examining issues such as cross-border environmental governance, biodiversity loss, or sustainable development strategies through a lens of biblical stewardship.
• The project culminates in a comprehensive written document and a formal oral defense before a faculty committee. The dissertation requires a minimum of 9 credits, distributed across final-stage research and writing, and must demonstrate the candidate's mastery of research methodology, academic writing, and the ability to integrate professional expertise with a commitment to service and integrity. Through this process, students demonstrate the synthesis of academic competence and faith-informed character, ensuring their scholarship serves the common good and reflects the high calling of responsible global citizenship.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methodology | 3 | None
• ENV701 | Global Environmental Governance | 3 | None
• ETH705 | Environmental Ethics and Global Sustainability | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES710 | Quantitative Data Analysis for Scientists | 4 | RES700
• ENV715 | Resource Economics and Development | 3 | None
• SOC720 | Human Migration and Environment | 3 | None
• MGT730 | Servant Leadership in Global Contexts | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ENV800 | Climate Science and Policy Implementation | 4 | ENV701
• ENV810 | Water Resource Stewardship | 3 | None
• RES820 | Advanced Qualitative Research | 3 | RES700
• HUM830 | Environmental Justice Advocacy | 4 | THE705
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ENV840 | Renewable Energy Transitions | 3 | None
• BUS850 | Environmental Corporate Social Responsibility | 3 | MGT730
• RES855 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 4 | RES700, RES820
• ENV860 | Urban Sustainability and Planning | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP870 | Dissertation Research I | 5 | RES855
• ENV875 | Advanced International Policy Seminar | 3 | ENV701
• SOC880 | Community-Based Environmental Engagement | 3 | None
• ENV885 | Ecological Systems and Environmental Philosophy | 3 | THE705
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP890 | Dissertation Research II | 4 | CAP870
• CAP895 | Dissertation Defense | 4 | CAP890
• RES899 | Advanced Research Synthesis | 3 | None
• ENV898 | Professional Practice Seminar | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• University Professor or Academic Researcher
• International Policy Analyst
• Director of Environmental Non-Governmental Organizations
• Sustainability Consultant for Global Enterprises
• Global Conservation Strategist
• Environmental Ethics Educator
• Governmental Advisor on Resource 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 International Environmental Studies
• 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 international environmental studies 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