Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based IT Support, Specialization in Technology, Management

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based IT Support

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 IT support 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 IT Support, with a specialization in Technology Management, is a rigorous terminal degree designed for scholar-practitioners seeking to lead information technology initiatives within mission-driven, non-profit, and community-focused environments. The curriculum integrates advanced technical management frameworks with principled ethical leadership, emphasizing the role of technology as a tool for sustainable stewardship and organizational efficacy. Students engage in deep analysis of systems architecture, resource optimization, and strategic technology implementation, all viewed through the lens of institutional integrity and long-term organizational viability. The program prepares graduates to navigate the complexities of digital transformation while fostering environments characterized by servant leadership, accountability, and the responsible management of technological resources. By blending theoretical inquiry with applied organizational research, the PhD program cultivates the capacity to address evolving societal challenges through robust IT governance and strategic foresight, ensuring that technological deployment serves the broader mission of faith-based and community entities.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based IT Support is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based IT support theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based IT support-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 Research Phase I

• 4
• RES802
• MGT860
• Advanced Cybersecurity Policy
• 3
• MGT835
• EDU870
• Instructional Technology Leadership
• 3
• None
• RES880
• Scholarly Writing and Publication
• 4
• RES802
• DIS890 — Dissertation Research Phase I: This course marks the commencement of primary research and data collection for the doctoral dissertation. Students work under faculty supervision to execute their established research methodology. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT860 — Advanced Cybersecurity Policy: This course addresses the formulation and maintenance of cybersecurity policy within high-impact nonprofit environments. Students develop risk-mitigation frameworks based on current threat assessments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU870 — Instructional Technology Leadership: This course examines the implementation of educational technology to facilitate organizational training and mission-focused learning. Students evaluate tools for remote engagement and development. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES880 — Scholarly Writing and Publication: This course supports students in drafting their final dissertation chapters and preparing professional manuscripts for publication. Emphasis is placed on academic clarity and rigor. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Completion and Defense

• 4
• DIS890
• MGT891
• Professional Ethics and Global Stewardship
• 3
• THE705
• BUS892
• Advanced Strategic Management
• 3
• MGT810
• MGT893
• Future Trends in IT and Society
• 4
• None
• DIS899 — Dissertation Completion and Defense: This final course involves the completion of the dissertation document and the formal oral defense before a faculty committee. Successful completion represents the culmination of doctoral study. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT891 — Professional Ethics and Global Stewardship: This capstone seminar reviews the ethical and spiritual responsibilities of technology leaders in a global context. Students reflect on their legacy as stewards of organizational health. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS892 — Advanced Strategic Management: This course synthesizes core management themes through the analysis of complex case studies in nonprofit leadership. Students develop long-term strategic plans for organizational viability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT893 — Future Trends in IT and Society: This course explores emerging technologies and their potential impact on social and community service models. Students anticipate future needs and design resilient strategy frameworks. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation is the culminating scholarly project of the PhD program, representing the student's ability to conduct independent, high-level research that contributes to the field of faith-based IT management. The scope requires identifying a significant problem within a nonprofit or community organization and applying rigorous research methodology to propose evidence-based solutions. Students are expected to produce a formal document that includes an original literature review, detailed analysis, and recommendations for organizational practice.
• Integrating the Christian worldview and the ethos of stewardship, the dissertation must explicitly address the ethical and moral dimensions of technological management. Students must demonstrate how their research findings promote servant leadership, facilitate responsible digital infrastructure management, and support the long-term mission of the organization under study. This final project serves as a demonstration of both advanced academic competence and the spiritual maturity required to lead in complex, mission-focused environments.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Quantitative Research Methods | 3 | None
• MGT710 | Strategic Leadership in Technology | 3 | None
• THE705 | Ethical Stewardship and Technology | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES702 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 | RES701
• MGT720 | IT Systems Governance | 3 | MGT710
• BUS730 | Resource Optimization and Stewardship | 3 | MGT710
• COM740 | Organizational Communication Strategy | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES801 | Advanced Dissertation Design | 3 | RES702
• MGT810 | Enterprise Architecture Management | 4 | MGT720
• MGT820 | Change Management and Organizational Development | 4 | MGT710
• HUM830 | Servant Leadership in Tech Organizations | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES802 | Data Analysis for Doctoral Research | 4 | RES801
• MGT835 | Cloud Strategy and Security | 4 | MGT810
• BUS840 | Strategic Funding and Grant Management | 3 | BUS730
• MGT850 | Digital Transformation in the Public Sector | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS890 | Dissertation Research Phase I | 4 | RES802
• MGT860 | Advanced Cybersecurity Policy | 3 | MGT835
• EDU870 | Instructional Technology Leadership | 3 | None
• RES880 | Scholarly Writing and Publication | 4 | RES802
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS899 | Dissertation Completion and Defense | 4 | DIS890
• MGT891 | Professional Ethics and Global Stewardship | 3 | THE705
• BUS892 | Advanced Strategic Management | 3 | MGT810
• MGT893 | Future Trends in IT and Society | 4 | None

Career Opportunities

• Chief Information Officer for Non-Profit Organizations
• Director of Technology Strategy in Faith-Based Educational Institutions
• IT Consultant for Global Mission-Focused Agencies
• Organizational Management Researcher
• Technical Operations Manager for Social Services
• Digital Strategy Advisor for Charitable Foundations
• Director of Information Security and Stewardship

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 IT Support
• 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 IT support 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