Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based International Human Rights

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based International Human Rights

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 human rights 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 Human Rights at HBI University provides a rigorous academic framework for scholars dedicated to the intersection of global justice and ethical stewardship. The program emphasizes the systematic study of human rights law, international policy, and the socio-political challenges inherent in humanitarian efforts. Through an interdisciplinary lens, students examine the mechanisms of institutional accountability, the development of advocacy strategies, and the structural imperatives of global governance. The curriculum is designed to foster a sophisticated understanding of universal rights within the context of ethical leadership, preparing graduates to navigate complex human rights environments with integrity and scholarly precision. By integrating critical inquiry with a focus on servant leadership and community engagement, the program ensures that doctoral candidates are equipped to contribute original research and sustainable solutions to the discourse on human rights in a diverse global landscape.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based International Human Rights is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based international human rights theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based international human rights-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 Seminar

• 3
• RES750
• HUM810 — Gender and Rights in a Globalized World: An interdisciplinary approach to understanding the specific human rights challenges faced by marginalized demographics. Explores policy development and advocacy through ethical engagementThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COU820 — Humanitarian Conflict and Trauma Mitigation: An analysis of systemic approaches to community restoration following large-scale conflict. Focuses on the role of community support, mediation, and leadership in social recoveryThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHL830 — Philosophical Foundations of Human Rights: This course explores the evolution of universal human rights through the lens of political philosophy and ethical discourse. Students analyze seminal works on the inherent worth of individuals within global legal frameworks. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES840 — Dissertation Proposal Seminar: A seminar dedicated to the refinement of the dissertation proposal, literature review development, and methodology selection. Students receive intensive faculty guidance in project designThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Drafting Seminar

• 3
• RES910
• RES910 — Advanced Dissertation Research II: The second stage of independent research, focusing on the analysis of findings and drafting the preliminary dissertation chapters. Students maintain regular engagement with their dissertation committeeThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SOC920 — Pluralism and Human Rights in Global Societies: This course examines the role of diverse cultural traditions and social belief systems in shaping contemporary human rights practices. It investigates how different social structures impact the implementation and recognition of rights across international boundaries. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT930 — Institutional Accountability and Integrity: Analyzes the internal governance structures of NGOs and international organizations. Emphasizes the role of transparency, accountability, and ethical culture in organizational longevityThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES940 — Dissertation Drafting Seminar: A cohort-based seminar focusing on the writing process and rigorous editing of the dissertation manuscript. Students participate in peer review and faculty-led critiques of their draftsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Defense and Final Submission

• 4
• RES940
• RES950
• Advanced Research Integration
• 4
• RES940
• HIS960
• Human Rights and International Security
• 3
• None
• CHR970
• Vocational Ethics and Servant Leadership
• 2
• None
• CAP990 — Dissertation Defense and Final Submission: The final stage of the doctoral program, involving the oral defense of the dissertation before a committee and the submission of the completed, approved manuscriptThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES950 — Advanced Research Integration: A final synthesis course where students connect their doctoral research to potential professional applications and long-term career goals in human rights. Students refine their research for publicationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• HIS960 — Human Rights and International Security: An in-depth analysis of the complex relationship between national security requirements and international human rights law. Examines the tension between sovereign state rights and universal human libertiesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• CHR970 — Vocational Ethics and Servant Leadership: A concluding seminar on maintaining ethical integrity and a servant-leader mindset within the demanding landscape of human rights practice. Focuses on spiritual resilience and moral enduranceThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Requirement

• The dissertation serves as the terminal scholarly project of the PhD program, representing an original and substantial contribution to the academic discipline of international human rights. Students are expected to conduct independent, rigorous research that addresses a specific gap in current literature, applying ethical frameworks and analytical expertise to complex, real-world human rights challenges. The project necessitates the synthesis of interdisciplinary knowledge, systematic research, and critical analysis to produce a document that meets high standards of academic scholarship.
• The dissertation integrates faith-based perspectives by challenging students to evaluate their research through the lens of servant leadership and spiritual formation, ensuring that academic rigor is matched by a commitment to human dignity. Students must demonstrate how their findings facilitate stewardship and ethical action in public or private sectors. This process of scholarly maturation requires the student to articulate a clear moral framework that guides their research philosophy, ensuring that their intellectual contributions are grounded in a sincere commitment to justice and human flourishing.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Advanced Research Methodology | 4 | None
• HUM710 | Foundations of International Human Rights | 4 | None
• THE720 | Ethics and Stewardship in Global Policy | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• SOC730 | Global Justice and Social Responsibility | 4 | HUM710
• MGT740 | Strategic Leadership in Non-Profit Organizations | 4 | None
• RES750 | Advanced Data Analysis for Social Inquiry | 4 | RES701
• HIS760 | Historical Perspectives on Humanitarianism | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• HUM810 | Gender and Rights in a Globalized World | 4 | HUM710
• COU820 | Humanitarian Conflict and Trauma Mitigation | 4 | None
• PHL830 | Philosophical Foundations of Human Rights | 4 | THE720
• RES840 | Dissertation Proposal Seminar | 3 | RES750
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BUS850 | Global Economics and Labor Rights | 4 | MGT740
• COM860 | Diplomacy and Global Policy Communication | 4 | None
• RES870 | Advanced Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES840
• EDU880 | Pedagogy for Social Justice Education | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES910 | Advanced Dissertation Research II | 4 | RES870
• SOC920 | Pluralism and Human Rights in Global Societies | 3 | THE830
• MGT930 | Institutional Accountability and Integrity | 3 | MGT740
• RES940 | Dissertation Drafting Seminar | 3 | RES910
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP990 | Dissertation Defense and Final Submission | 4 | RES940
• RES950 | Advanced Research Integration | 4 | RES940
• HIS960 | Human Rights and International Security | 3 | None
• CHR970 | Vocational Ethics and Servant Leadership | 2 | None

Career Opportunities

• International Human Rights Policy Consultant
• Academic Researcher in Global Law and Ethics
• Non-Governmental Organization Program Director
• Humanitarian Affairs Specialist
• Diplomatic Liaison for Justice and Development
• University Faculty in International Studies
• Ethical Compliance Officer in Global Institutions
• Advocacy Strategist for Humanitarian Organizations

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 Human Rights
• 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 human rights 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