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Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based International Law, Treaty Law, Specialization in Org. Laws

Academic unitCollege of Law and Public PolicyTotal credits120Estimated duration3 yearsSource documentDoctor_of_Philosophy_in_Faith_Based_International_Law__Treaty_Law__Specializatio.docx

Program Overview

Official program overview

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based International Law, Treaty Law, Specialization in Org. Laws

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 faith-based international law, treaty law, and organizational laws 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 International Law, Treaty Law, and Organizational Law is a rigorous, advanced academic program designed to equip scholars and practitioners with a sophisticated understanding of the intersection between global legal frameworks and ethical institutional governance. Through a lens of servant leadership and stewardship, students explore the complexities of international treaties and their impact on private and public entities within a globalized landscape. The curriculum emphasizes critical analysis of legal theory, ensuring graduates are prepared to navigate intricate international legal environments with professional competence and a commitment to ethical integrity. The program encourages the integration of advanced research methodologies with legal practice, fostering an environment where students examine the role of international law in promoting justice and sustainable institutional operations. By engaging with both established and emerging legal paradigms, learners cultivate the expertise necessary to address modern challenges in treaty interpretation and organizational compliance. This course of study balances theoretical depth with practical application, preparing scholars to lead with character in diverse professional settings.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based International Law, Treaty Law, Specialization in Org. Laws is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based international law, treaty law, and organizational laws 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 international law, treaty law, and organizational laws-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 Facts

Program facts

Degree abbreviation
Ed.D. in Faith-Based International Law, Treaty Law, Specialization in Org. Laws
Total program length
120 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
Academic unit
College of Law and Public Policy
Total credits
120
Duration
3 years

Program Description

Official program description

Learning Outcomes

Student learning outcomes

  • Analyze complex international treaty law frameworks and their influence on global institutional behavior.
  • Evaluate the organizational legal structures of nonprofit and intergovernmental entities through an ethical decision-making lens.
  • Integrate advanced research methodologies to address legal issues within the context of servant leadership.
  • Design sophisticated policy frameworks that align with international standards while maintaining organizational mission integrity.
  • Demonstrate scholarly mastery of global legal history, treaty enforcement, and organizational governance through original research.
  • Communicate complex legal arguments clearly to diverse stakeholders within both secular and faith-based spheres.

Admission Requirements

Admission and entry requirements

Applicants must possess a completed master's degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as law, public policy, international relations, or organizational management. Submission of an academic portfolio, including a statement of purpose, curriculum vitae, and evidence of previous research or professional writing, is required to demonstrate readiness for doctoral-level study.

Program Structure

Official program structure

Program Details

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

Semester-by-Semester Curriculum

Official course sequence

Year 1

Semester 1

13 credits
CodeCourse TitleCreditsPrerequisite
RES700Advanced Research Methodology3None
View Description

Explores qualitative and quantitative research methods appropriate for international legal studies. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

INT710Foundations of International Law3None
View Description

Examines the historical and theoretical underpinnings of international law systems. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

THE800Ethics and Stewardship in Governance3None
View Description

Addresses the role of ethical leadership and stewardship within organizational frameworks. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

INT720Treaty Law and Enforcement4INT710
View Description

Analyzes the creation, application, and enforcement of international treaties. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Semester 2

16 credits
CodeCourse TitleCreditsPrerequisite
ORG730Organizational Law Theory4None
View Description

Studies the legal structures governing international non-governmental organizations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

RES740Data Analysis for Policy Research4RES700
View Description

Provides advanced instruction on statistical and qualitative analysis for policy evaluation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

MGT750Strategic Leadership in Global Settings4None
View Description

Explores strategic management theories applied to international environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

INT810Comparative Legal Systems4INT720
View Description

Compares diverse national and international legal traditions and their impacts. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Semester 3

16 credits
CodeCourse TitleCreditsPrerequisite
ORG820Governance and Regulatory Compliance4ORG730
View Description

Investigates regulatory requirements for international organizational activities. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

CHR830Servant Leadership in Public Policy4THE800
View Description

Examines the application of servant leadership within professional legal and policy spheres. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

RES840Advanced Dissertation Design4RES740
View Description

Facilitates the formal proposal development for doctoral-level research. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

INT850Human Rights and International Law4INT810
View Description

Explores the intersection of international legal standards and human rights frameworks. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Year 2

Semester 4

12 credits
CodeCourse TitleCreditsPrerequisite
ORG860Organizational Dispute Resolution4ORG820
View Description

Examines mediation and conflict resolution mechanisms within international organizations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

HIS870History of Global Jurisprudence4None
View Description

Traces the evolution of jurisprudence across global legal systems. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

RES880Doctoral Research Seminar4RES840
View Description

Provides a collaborative forum for refining dissertation research topics. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Final Project Requirement

Final project requirement

Dissertation I

  • 6
  • RES880
  • INT910
  • Current Issues in Treaty Law
  • 3
  • INT850
  • ORG920
  • Global Organizational Strategy
  • 3
  • ORG860
  • LAW930
  • Contemporary Legal Theory and Jurisprudence
  • 3
  • CHR830
  • CAP900 — Dissertation I: Initial stage of independent dissertation research under faculty supervision. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • INT910 — Current Issues in Treaty Law: Analyzes contemporary developments and challenges in international treaty law. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • ORG920 — Global Organizational Strategy: Focuses on strategic planning for organizations operating in international jurisdictions. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • LAW930 — Contemporary Legal Theory and Jurisprudence: This course explores the intersection of legal philosophy and modern regulatory frameworks, focusing on the application of jurisprudential principles in complex social environments. Students analyze how legal systems adapt to diverse organizational structures and policy requirements. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation II

  • 6
  • CAP900
  • INT960
  • International Legal Advocacy
  • 3
  • INT910
  • ORG970
  • Cross-Cultural Organizational Governance
  • 3
  • ORG920
  • RES980
  • Advanced Academic Publication
  • 3
  • RES880
  • CAP950 — Dissertation II: Completion and final defense of the doctoral research project. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • INT960 — International Legal Advocacy: Examines methods of advocating for policy change within international legal forums. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • ORG970 — Cross-Cultural Organizational Governance: Focuses on managing organizational structures in diverse cultural landscapes. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
  • RES980 — Advanced Academic Publication: Guides students in the process of professional academic writing and publication. This 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 and organizational law. Students are expected to identify a specific, complex legal problem and apply rigorous methodology to produce an expansive piece of academic writing that synthesizes theory, practice, and ethical inquiry. The project must demonstrate how the researcher utilizes faith-based principles of stewardship and moral integrity to propose solutions that promote justice and institutional stability within the global community.
  • The Dissertation process spans the final year of the program and is weighted at 12 credit hours. Candidates must successfully defend their research before a faculty panel, demonstrating both academic rigor and the integration of a Christian worldview in their analytical approach. This project underscores the student's transition from learner to contributing scholar, reflecting their commitment to life-long learning, service-oriented leadership, and the application of ethical reasoning to real-world legal challenges.
  • RES840Advanced Dissertation Design4 credits

Graduation Requirements

Graduation and completion requirements

  • To graduate, students must successfully complete 120 credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, ensuring a high standard of academic performance throughout the program. Students must also receive a passing evaluation on the doctoral dissertation and complete all required spiritual formation and community service components, which are designed to foster character development and a spirit of service. These requirements ensure that graduates have successfully married high-level intellectual achievement with spiritual maturity and professional ethics.
  • Graduation honors those who demonstrate not only the technical skills to interpret law and governance but also the integrity to serve communities with compassion and faithfulness. Students are expected to participate in institutional events that reinforce the school's mission, showcasing a synthesis of academic rigor and personal transformation that prepares them for a lifetime of ethical, faith-informed leadership in their respective professional and public domains.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities

Career Opportunities

  • International Policy Consultant
  • Nonprofit Legal Compliance Officer
  • Academic Researcher in Global Law
  • Institutional Governance Strategist
  • Human Rights Advocate for Faith-Based Organizations
  • International Treaty Analyst
  • Global Organizational Leadership Consultant

Additional Official Information

Additional source information

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 International Law, Treaty Law, Specialization in Org. Laws
  • 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 faith-based international law, treaty law, and organizational laws 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
  • RES700 | Advanced Research Methodology | 3 | None
  • INT710 | Foundations of International Law | 3 | None
  • THE800 | Ethics and Stewardship in Governance | 3 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • INT720 | Treaty Law and Enforcement | 4 | INT710
  • ORG730 | Organizational Law Theory | 4 | None
  • RES740 | Data Analysis for Policy Research | 4 | RES700
  • MGT750 | Strategic Leadership in Global Settings | 4 | None
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • INT810 | Comparative Legal Systems | 4 | INT720
  • ORG820 | Governance and Regulatory Compliance | 4 | ORG730
  • CHR830 | Servant Leadership in Public Policy | 4 | THE800
  • RES840 | Advanced Dissertation Design | 4 | RES740
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • INT850 | Human Rights and International Law | 4 | INT810
  • ORG860 | Organizational Dispute Resolution | 4 | ORG820
  • HIS870 | History of Global Jurisprudence | 4 | None
  • RES880 | Doctoral Research Seminar | 4 | RES840
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • CAP900 | Dissertation I | 6 | RES880
  • INT910 | Current Issues in Treaty Law | 3 | INT850
  • ORG920 | Global Organizational Strategy | 3 | ORG860
  • LAW930 | Contemporary Legal Theory and Jurisprudence | 3 | CHR830
  • Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
  • CAP950 | Dissertation II | 6 | CAP900
  • INT960 | International Legal Advocacy | 3 | INT910
  • ORG970 | Cross-Cultural Organizational Governance | 3 | ORG920
  • RES980 | Advanced Academic Publication | 3 | RES880