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

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based IT Support, Specialization in Technology Management for Organizations

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 IT Support and 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 IT Support, Specialization in Technology Management for Organizations, is an advanced research-oriented degree designed for professionals who integrate technical expertise with ethical leadership. The program focuses on the strategic deployment of information systems within nonprofit, faith-based, and community-centered environments, emphasizing the role of technology as a tool for mission advancement. Candidates engage in rigorous academic inquiry into information architecture, digital stewardship, and organizational change management.

Students explore the intersection of technical innovation and the complexities of mission-driven organizational dynamics. By applying quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, scholars develop the capacity to address complex technology challenges. This curriculum fosters both the academic depth necessary for high-level management and the ethical foresight required to lead with integrity in an increasingly digital world.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based IT Support, Specialization in Technology Management for Organizations is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based it support 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 it 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 Details

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

Dissertation Seminar I

• 3
• RES830
• BUS840 — Emerging Technologies in Nonprofits: Studies the impact of artificial intelligence and cloud computing on operational efficiency and mission delivery. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT850 — Compliance and Legal Frameworks: Addresses the regulatory landscape governing data privacy and information management in nonprofit settings. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS860 — Systems Integration Strategy: Analyzes the interoperability of software solutions across complex organizational silos. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES870 — Dissertation Seminar I: Guided research session dedicated to literature review completion and initial data collection. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation II

• 6
• RES870
• BUS900 — Data-Driven Organizational Decisions: Examines how analytics influence strategic choices in mission-driven environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT910 — Technology and Social Impact: Evaluates the broader societal influence of technological implementation on community engagement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS920 — Sustainability in IT Management: Focuses on the long-term maintenance and ethical upkeep of institutional technological systems. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP930 — Dissertation II: Active data analysis and draft development culminating in the preliminary manuscript. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Final Submission

• 6
• CAP930
• MGT940 — Senior Executive IT Leadership: Synthesizes management theory with executive-level decision making in the nonprofit sector. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS950 — Global Trends in Technology Management: Provides an international perspective on the deployment of IT in global service ministries. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT960 — Professional Development and Mentorship: Explores the cultivation of the next generation of faith-based technology leaders. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP990 — Dissertation Final Submission: Final review, oral defense, and completion of the scholarly doctoral manuscript. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation represents the culminating intellectual achievement of the doctoral program, requiring candidates to produce an original research contribution that advances the field of technology management within faith-based organizations. Students must identify a significant, real-world problem and apply rigorous methodology to develop solutions that demonstrate scholarly depth, analytical precision, and technical relevance. This 12-credit requirement spans the final two semesters, guiding the student from proposal defense to final manuscript submission.
• The project integrates faith-based perspectives by mandating that students address the intersection of organizational mission and ethical stewardship. Candidates must justify their research recommendations through the lens of servant leadership and communal integrity, ensuring that technological solutions support human flourishing and institutional sustainability. This process confirms the candidate's transition from an advanced student to a scholarly professional capable of contributing to the broader academic and faith-based community through evidence-informed practice and character-driven inquiry.

Career Opportunities

• Chief Information Officer for Global Faith-Based Nonprofits
• Technology Strategy Consultant for Community Organizations
• Academic Researcher in Digital Stewardship
• Director of Information Systems for Religious Institutions
• IT Governance Specialist for Educational Ministries
• Operations Manager for Faith-Based Humanitarian Aid 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 | Ed.D. in Faith-Based IT Support, Specialization in Technology Management for Organizations
• 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 IT Support and 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 | Foundations of Doctoral Inquiry | 4 | None
• MGT710 | Leadership in Digital Environments | 3 | None
• THE720 | Ethics and Stewardship in Technology | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES730 | Quantitative Research Methods | 4 | RES700
• MGT740 | Organizational Change Management | 3 | None
• BUS750 | Strategic IT Planning | 3 | None
• RES760 | Qualitative Research Approaches | 3 | RES700
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MGT800 | Advanced Information Systems Security | 4 | None
• BUS810 | Financial Stewardship of Technology | 3 | None
• MGT820 | Managing Distributed Teams | 3 | None
• RES830 | Advanced Research Design | 3 | RES730, RES760
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BUS840 | Emerging Technologies in Nonprofits | 4 | None
• MGT850 | Compliance and Legal Frameworks | 3 | None
• BUS860 | Systems Integration Strategy | 3 | None
• RES870 | Dissertation Seminar I | 3 | RES830
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BUS900 | Data-Driven Organizational Decisions | 4 | None
• MGT910 | Technology and Social Impact | 3 | None
• BUS920 | Sustainability in IT Management | 3 | None
• CAP930 | Dissertation II | 6 | RES870
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MGT940 | Senior Executive IT Leadership | 4 | None
• BUS950 | Global Trends in Technology Management | 3 | None
• MGT960 | Professional Development and Mentorship | 3 | None
• CAP990 | Dissertation Final Submission | 6 | CAP930