Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based International Studies with a Global World View

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based International Studies with a Global World View

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 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 Studies with a Global World View is an advanced research-oriented program designed to prepare scholars and practitioners for complex leadership roles within global environments. The curriculum emphasizes the intersection of geopolitical strategy, intercultural communication, and the ethical application of servant leadership to address systemic international challenges. By leveraging historical, political, and sociological frameworks, students develop the capacity to navigate multifaceted global landscapes through a commitment to integrity, stewardship, and cross-cultural humility. The program is committed to a rigorous academic environment where students critically evaluate international dynamics and propose solutions that honor ethical principles and the dignity of diverse communities. Through interdisciplinary study, participants gain the scholarly depth required to influence policy, academic research, and non-profit development from a position of informed global responsibility.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based International Studies with a Global World View is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based international studies theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based international 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 Development

• 4
• RES830
• POL840 — Global Environmental Policy: Examines the intersection of ecology, international law, and sustainable resource management. Connects policy to the duty of stewardshipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SOC850 — Sociology of Transnational Social Movements: This course analyzes the emergence and impact of global civil society and grassroots advocacy networks within the contemporary international landscape. It examines how collective action influences institutional policy across borders. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM860 — Intercultural Communication Strategy: Explores the complexities of communication across language and cultural barriers. Students develop strategies for clear, respectful global engagementThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES870 — Dissertation Prospectus Development: Students finalize their research proposal, scope of work, and methodology. This serves as the foundational phase of the dissertationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Research I

• 3
• RES870
• CAP801
• Professional Leadership Seminar
• 4
• All Core Courses
• POL880 — Advanced Human Rights Theory: Critiques the evolution of international human rights norms and their implementation. Analyzes the role of NGOs and state actorsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• BUS890 — Sustainable Development Finance: Focuses on the financial structures and grants supporting global development. Discusses fiscal accountability and ethical resource stewardshipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES900 — Dissertation Research I: Initial data collection and analysis under faculty supervision. Students begin documenting findings aligned with their research objectivesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• CAP801 — Professional Leadership Seminar: A capstone seminar focusing on integrating theoretical knowledge with practical vocational readiness. Emphasizes character development and serviceThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Research II

• 3
• RES900
• RES902

Dissertation Defense

• 3
• RES901
• RES903

Dissertation Final Review

• 3
• RES902
• PUB950
• Humanitarian Aid and International Development Strategy
• 3
• None
• RES901 — Dissertation Research II: Continuation of research, synthesis of findings, and writing of the final dissertation document. Faculty mentor supports the final draft processThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES902 — Dissertation Defense: The oral defense of the dissertation before a faculty committee. Candidates demonstrate their capacity for independent scholarship and faith-informed analysisThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES903 — Dissertation Final Review: Final revision and formatting of the dissertation manuscript. This step ensures all academic and institutional standards are met for publicationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PUB950 — Humanitarian Aid and International Development Strategy: This course explores the strategic framework for deploying humanitarian assistance and sustainable development initiatives in diverse international environments. Students evaluate organizational models for effective resource distribution and disaster relief. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the final, rigorous expression of the student's mastery in international studies, requiring the candidate to conduct original, independent research that contributes new knowledge to the field. This scholarly work must be grounded in robust academic methodology and address a specific issue within global affairs, while explicitly incorporating an analysis of how ethical reasoning and servant leadership influence the proposed solutions. The dissertation represents 12 credit hours of the total degree requirement and is evaluated by a faculty committee for depth of inquiry, logical rigor, and clarity of articulation.
• Beyond technical excellence, the dissertation process serves as a vehicle for the integration of the student's scholarly identity and personal values. Candidates are expected to synthesize their research findings with a framework of biblical stewardship and ethical integrity, demonstrating how their findings might contribute to the flourishing of communities globally. This requirement serves as both an academic milestone and a demonstration of the candidate's maturation into a professional who understands the profound responsibility of stewardship within the international sphere.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Advanced Research Methodologies | 3 | None
• HIS710 | Global Historical Perspectives | 3 | None
• MGT720 | Leadership in Global Organizations | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL730 | International Political Economy | 3 | RES701
• SOC740 | Sociology of Global Development | 3 | None
• RES750 | Quantitative Data Analysis for Policy | 3 | RES701
• THE760 | Ethics in International Studies | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL800 | Diplomacy and Conflict Resolution | 3 | HIS710
• MGT810 | Cross-Cultural Management | 3 | MGT720
• EDU820 | Education and Social Change | 3 | None
• RES830 | Qualitative Inquiry in the Field | 4 | RES750
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL840 | Global Environmental Policy | 3 | POL730
• SOC850 | Sociology of Transnational Social Movements | 3 | THE760
• COM860 | Intercultural Communication Strategy | 3 | None
• RES870 | Dissertation Prospectus Development | 4 | RES830
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL880 | Advanced Human Rights Theory | 3 | POL840
• BUS890 | Sustainable Development Finance | 3 | POL730
• RES900 | Dissertation Research I | 3 | RES870
• CAP801 | Professional Leadership Seminar | 4 | All Core Courses
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES901 | Dissertation Research II | 3 | RES900
• RES902 | Dissertation Defense | 3 | RES901
• RES903 | Dissertation Final Review | 3 | RES902
• PUB950 | Humanitarian Aid and International Development Strategy | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• International Policy Consultant
• Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) Program Director
• Higher Education Professor or Researcher
• Global Development Strategist
• Diplomatic Liaison
• Cross-Cultural Management Specialist
• Humanitarian Aid Administrator

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 Studies with a Global World View
• 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 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