Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based International Treaty Law

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based International Treaty Law

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 treaty law 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 (PhD) in Faith-Based International Treaty Law is a rigorous, research-oriented doctoral program designed for scholars and legal practitioners committed to analyzing the intersection of global governance and ethical jurisprudence. The curriculum focuses on the development of specialized knowledge in international legal frameworks, sovereign state obligations, and the historical evolution of treaty law, viewed through the lens of institutional ethics and global stewardship. Students engage in advanced inquiry to address contemporary global challenges by applying sophisticated legal theory and empirical research methodologies. The program emphasizes the role of the individual researcher in contributing original, scholarly insights to the global legal landscape. Through critical analysis and interdisciplinary engagement, participants are prepared to navigate complex legal landscapes while maintaining a steadfast commitment to justice, human rights, and the common good. This program is rooted in the pursuit of academic excellence, encouraging students to consider how legal doctrines can better serve the needs of diverse, global communities.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based International Treaty Law is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based international treaty law theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based international treaty law-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 Defense

• 3
• RES840
• CAP865
• Practicum in Global Legal Advocacy
• 3
• None
• LAW850 — International Criminal Law and Treaties: Study of criminal law frameworks within international treaty jurisdictions. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LAW855 — Diplomatic Law and Treaty Negotiation: Technical analysis of the negotiation processes used in international law. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES860 — Dissertation Proposal Defense: Formal defense of the dissertation research design and intended outcomes. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP865 — Practicum in Global Legal Advocacy: Applied experience in analyzing real-world legal policy challenges. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Phase I

• 4
• RES860
• DIS891

Dissertation Phase II

• 4
• DIS890
• DIS892

Dissertation Phase III

• 2
• DIS891
• DIS893
• Final Dissertation Defense
• 2
• DIS892
• DIS890 — Dissertation Phase I: Initial execution of the doctoral research and data analysis phases. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS891 — Dissertation Phase II: Continued development and writing of the dissertation manuscript. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS892 — Dissertation Phase III: Final revisions and preparation for the dissertation defense. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS893 — Final Dissertation Defense: Formal presentation and defense of the original research before the doctoral committee. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation represents the pinnacle of the PhD experience, requiring candidates to engage in an original, substantive research project that contributes new knowledge to the field of international treaty law. Students are expected to identify a significant research problem, apply appropriate analytical methodologies, and produce a high-quality manuscript that demonstrates rigorous intellectual inquiry. The scope of the work is designed to challenge students to synthesize their understanding of legal precedents with practical, faith-informed applications regarding global justice and stewardship.
• In addition to academic mastery, the dissertation serves as a vehicle for integrating a Christian worldview into the scholarly process. Candidates must demonstrate how their research reflects core values such as integrity, moral courage, and a commitment to servant leadership. By addressing the ethical obligations of global actors, the student showcases how their work serves as a practical expression of their spiritual formation and character development. The final deliverable consists of the written dissertation and a successful public defense, totaling 12 credits, confirming the student’s readiness for high-level academic or policy contributions.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Advanced Legal Research Methodology | 3 | None
• LAW705 | Foundations of International Treaty Law | 3 | None
• ETH710 | Ethics in Global Jurisprudence | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LAW720 | Sovereignty and International Compliance | 3 | LAW705
• LAW725 | Human Rights and International Law | 3 | None
• RES730 | Qualitative Inquiry in Law | 3 | RES701
• MGT740 | Servant Leadership in Legal Institutions | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LAW810 | Environmental Treaties and Global Policy | 4 | LAW720
• LAW815 | Trade Agreements and Human Dignity | 3 | LAW720
• RES820 | Advanced Statistical Analysis in Law | 4 | RES730
• HIS825 | History of International Governance | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LAW830 | Conflict Resolution and Treaty Adjudication | 4 | LAW720
• LAW835 | Refugee Law and International Protection | 3 | LAW725
• RES840 | Prospectus Development | 4 | RES820
• LAW845 | Jurisprudential Theory and Global Justice | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LAW850 | International Criminal Law and Treaties | 4 | LAW830
• LAW855 | Diplomatic Law and Treaty Negotiation | 4 | LAW720
• RES860 | Dissertation Proposal Defense | 3 | RES840
• CAP865 | Practicum in Global Legal Advocacy | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS890 | Dissertation Phase I | 4 | RES860
• DIS891 | Dissertation Phase II | 4 | DIS890
• DIS892 | Dissertation Phase III | 2 | DIS891
• DIS893 | Final Dissertation Defense | 2 | DIS892

Career Opportunities

• International Human Rights Scholar
• Legal Policy Consultant for Global Nongovernmental Organizations
• Diplomatic Liaison for Faith-Based Advocacy Groups
• International Treaty Researcher
• University Professor of Law and Public Policy
• Legal Advisor for Global Humanitarian Aid Agencies

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 Treaty Law
• 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 treaty law 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