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 PhD in Faith-Based International Environmental Studies is a rigorous doctoral program designed to equip scholars with the analytical, theoretical, and practical tools necessary to address complex global ecological challenges. The curriculum emphasizes the intersection of environmental science, international policy, and the ethical imperatives of creation care, fostering a deep understanding of sustainable development within a diverse international landscape. By engaging with complex systems, students explore the nexus between scientific research and human responsibility, preparing them for advanced scholarship and leadership roles in addressing global environmental crises through an informed, ethical framework. The program balances advanced disciplinary research with the integration of service-oriented leadership, encouraging candidates to approach ecological problem-solving with a commitment to integrity and global stewardship.
• 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 Prospectus Design

• 4
• RES715
• ENV815
• Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Global Sustainability
• 3
• ETH702
• ENV800 — Advanced Ecology and Human Impact: A study of human-environment interactions through the lens of modern ecological data. Discusses adaptive strategies for mitigating human impact on sensitive biomesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• LDR805 — Servant Leadership in Global Organizations: Focuses on leadership principles that emphasize humility, service, and organizational influence. Students apply these models to environmental advocacy rolesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES810 — Dissertation Prospectus Design: Provides a formal structure for developing the dissertation proposal. Students refine their research questions and methodologies under faculty guidanceThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• ENV815 — Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Global Sustainability: This course analyzes the intersection of scientific research, policy frameworks, and socioeconomic sustainability goals. Students examine the collaborative role of international stakeholders in addressing complex environmental challenges. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research Phase I

• 4
• RES810
• COM855
• Communicating Science and Ethics
• 3
• None
• EDU860
• Pedagogy and Environmental Education
• 3
• None
• ENV865
• Advanced Topics in Global Climate Policy
• 3
• POL710
• RES850 — Dissertation Research Phase I: Initial phase of independent dissertation research involving comprehensive data collection or archival analysis. Frequent consultation with the dissertation committee is requiredThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COM855 — Communicating Science and Ethics: Develops the skill to translate complex environmental data for public, governmental, and religious audiences. Focuses on rhetorical strategies for effective policy advocacyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• EDU860 — Pedagogy and Environmental Education: Prepares scholars for teaching environmental studies at the university level. Covers instructional design and the integration of ethics into classroom learningThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• ENV865 — Advanced Topics in Global Climate Policy: Examines current frontiers in climate mitigation and adaptation policy. Encourages original synthesis of existing literature to propose new policy directionsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Finalization and Defense

• 4
• RES850
• CAP895
• Integration of Character and Professional Practice
• 3
• None
• ENV896
• Advanced Field Analysis
• 3
• RES850
• RES897
• Global Stewardship Seminar
• 3
• None
• RES890 — Dissertation Finalization and Defense: Final synthesis of research findings and completion of the dissertation manuscript. Includes a formal defense before a faculty panel to demonstrate scholarly competenceThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• CAP895 — Integration of Character and Professional Practice: Reflective seminar on the synthesis of academic research and ethical character. Focuses on the transition from doctoral candidate to professional expert in environmental studiesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• ENV896 — Advanced Field Analysis: Synthesizes field research experiences to evaluate the practical efficacy of sustainable environmental solutions. Emphasizes community impact assessmentThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES897 — Global Stewardship Seminar: A final colloquium addressing global environmental challenges through the prism of sustainable, ethical stewardship. Prepares students for professional engagementThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating scholarly endeavor, requiring the candidate to conduct original research that contributes significantly to the field of international environmental studies. Through this project, students are expected to demonstrate an advanced mastery of methodology, literature review, and critical analysis. The dissertation must move beyond purely academic inquiry to reflect a substantive integration of ethical reasoning and the concept of stewardship, exploring how values-based frameworks inform environmental solutions in real-world contexts.
• The scope of the dissertation encompasses either a global or specific regional case study that requires the student to articulate a rigorous, faith-informed position on environmental protection. Candidates are expected to produce a high-quality manuscript that demonstrates their capacity for independent, high-level research. This project serves as a testament to both their intellectual rigor and their development as leaders who apply spiritual and ethical maturity to the most pressing ecological challenges of our time.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methods | 4 | None
• ENV701 | Global Environmental Systems | 3 | None
• ETH702 | Foundations of Ethical Stewardship | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL710 | International Environmental Policy | 3 | ENV701
• RES715 | Quantitative Analytics for Environmental Research | 4 | RES700
• BUS720 | Sustainable Resource Management | 3 | None
• SOC730 | Social Dimensions of Global Environmental Justice | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ENV800 | Advanced Ecology and Human Impact | 3 | ENV701
• LDR805 | Servant Leadership in Global Organizations | 3 | None
• RES810 | Dissertation Prospectus Design | 4 | RES715
• ENV815 | Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Global Sustainability | 3 | ETH702
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ENV820 | Environmental Conflict Resolution | 3 | POL710
• RES825 | Advanced Qualitative Methodologies | 4 | RES810
• HIS830 | History of Environmental Thought | 3 | None
• MGT835 | Strategic Project Management for NGOs | 3 | LDR805
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES850 | Dissertation Research Phase I | 4 | RES810
• COM855 | Communicating Science and Ethics | 3 | None
• EDU860 | Pedagogy and Environmental Education | 3 | None
• ENV865 | Advanced Topics in Global Climate Policy | 3 | POL710
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES890 | Dissertation Finalization and Defense | 4 | RES850
• CAP895 | Integration of Character and Professional Practice | 3 | None
• ENV896 | Advanced Field Analysis | 3 | RES850
• RES897 | Global Stewardship Seminar | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• International Policy Consultant
• Global Environmental Research Scholar
• Director of Sustainability Initiatives
• Environmental Non-Profit Executive
• Academic Faculty in Environmental Studies
• Foreign Service Environmental Officer
• Community Development 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 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