Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Law, Digital Technologies

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Law, Digital Technologies

Total program length

117 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 law and digital technologies 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: 117
• Duration: 3 years
• Degree Level: PhD

Dissertation research and defense

• 18 credit hours
• Total
• 117 semester credit hours
• The Ph.D. in Law and Digital Technologies Minor in Faith-Based Organizational Laws offers students an interdisciplinary approach to understanding the complex interactions between legal frameworks, digital advancements, and faith-based organizations. Students will engage in rigorous research and critical analysis of legal challenges posed by emerging technologies while exploring the unique legalities governing faith-based entities. This program prepares graduates to lead in academic, governmental, and non-profit sectors where law and technology intersect, equipping them with advanced knowledge and practical skills. Graduates will emerge as thought leaders, capable of addressing contemporary legal dilemmas in a digital realm, with a profound understanding of the ethical and jurisdictional intricacies involving faith-based organizations.
• Below is a practical “major-university style” dissertation materials set for each PDLD dissertation course. (Schools vary by department/chair, but these are widely used across doctoral research sequences in law + technology, and they align with standard expectations for ethical research, method rigor, and publishable scholarship.)
• PDLD 901 — Dissertation Research I (Topic → Problem Statement → Feasibility)
• Core books (commonly used)
• The Craft of Research (Booth, Colomb, Williams, et al.)
• Amazon
• Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches (Creswell & Creswell)
• SAGE Edge+1
• Course materials (downloadable / online)
• Harvard-style legal research process guide (excellent for sharpening research questions + research strategy).
• Harvard Library Guides
• Tools Zotero (free citation manager). +1
• PDLD 902 — Dissertation Research II (Proposal + Methods Plan + Ethics)
• Core books
• Research Design (Creswell & Creswell)
• SAGE Edge
• +1
• An Introduction to Empirical Legal Research (Epstein & Martin)
• Amazon
• +1
• Required ethics / compliance materials (downloadable/official)
• The Belmont Report (PDF)
• HHS
• 45 CFR 46 (Common Rule) official text
• HHS
• +1
• PDLD 903 — Dissertation Research III (Literature Review + Theoretical Framework)
• Core books
• The Craft of Research
• Amazon
• An Introduction to Empirical Legal Research (if doing empirical work)
• Amazon
• Course materials (downloadable/official)
• PRISMA 2020 systematic review reporting guideline (PDF) (useful when your literature review is structured/systematic).
• BMJ
• +1
• Harvard-style “start with treatises” research guide (excellent for building background + identifying leading authorities).
• Harvard Library Guides
• Tools
• Zotero
• PDLD 904 — Dissertation Research IV (Data Collection / Sources / IRB Implementation)
• Core books
• An Introduction to Empirical Legal Research (Epstein & Martin)
• Amazon
• Research Design (Creswell & Creswell)
• SAGE Edge
• Required compliance materials
• Belmont Report (PDF) HHS
• Common Rule (45 CFR 46) HHS+1
• Common doctoral “course pack” items (usually provided by chair/program)

Dissertation Proposal Template (problem statement, purpose, RQs, methods, limitations)

• IRB/ethics application forms (institution-specific) + consent forms (if human subjects)
• PDLD 905 — Dissertation Research V (Analysis: Quant/Qual/Doctrinal or Mixed)
• Core books
• Research Design (Creswell & Creswell)
• SAGE Edge
• An Introduction to Empirical Legal Research (Epstein & Martin)
• Amazon
• Common “major university” method supports
• A department-approved statistics/qual analysis handbook (varies by method/software)
• Reproducible workflow expectations (clean tables/figures, transparent assumptions)
• Tools (typical)
• Zotero for citations
• Zotero
• PDLD 906 — Dissertation Research VI (Writing Findings + Citation/Style Control)
• Core books
• The Bluebook: A Uniform System of Citation (21st ed.) (standard legal citation)
• legalbluebook.com
• A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations (Turabian/Chicago)
• University of Chicago Press
• Course materials (downloadable/online)
• Harvard Law Library Bluebook getting-started guide (free help using Bluebook).
• Harvard Library Guides
• Example law journal style guide referencing Bluebook usage (helpful for article-ready formatting habits).
• Yale Law Journal
• PDLD 907 — Dissertation Research VII (Full Draft → Revision Cycles → Committee Review)
• Core books
• The Dissertation Journey (Roberts & Hyatt) (commonly used for planning/revision/defense readiness)
• Amazon
• The Craft of Research
• Amazon
• Course materials
• Graduate-college style “stages + review cycle” guidance (useful for managing chair/committee workflow).
• College of Graduate Studies
• PDLD 908 — Dissertation Research VIII (Final Draft, Formatting, Submission Package)
• Core books
• Turabian (Chicago) manual
• University of Chicago Press
• APA Publication Manual (7th) if your program uses APA formatting
• APA Style
• +1
• Course materials (downloadable/online)
• Overleaf thesis/dissertation templates (LaTeX; many universities use these formats).
• Overleaf
• +1
• Tools
• Zotero
• PDLD 909 — Dissertation Research IX (Publication Pipeline: Article or Book Conversion)
• Core books
• Writing Your Journal Article in Twelve Weeks (Belcher)
• University of Chicago Press
• From Dissertation to Book (Germano)
• University of Chicago Press
• Course materials (major-university style)
• Harvard Law School empirical research support page (useful model for publishable tables/figures + research design review).
• Harvard Law School
• PDLD 910 — Dissertation Defense & Publication Seminar (Defense + Final Revisions + Deposit)
• Course materials (downloadable/online)

Dissertation defense procedures example (committee approval + circulation timing expectations—common across U.S. universities).

• Columbian College of Arts & Sciences
• APA “defense presentation” advice (useful for Q&A preparation and delivery).
• American Psychological Association
• Core references often kept on-hand
• Bluebook (legal citation)
• legalbluebook.com
• Turabian / APA style (based on your formatting rule)
• University of Chicago Press
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Law, Digital Technologies is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based law, digital technologies theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based law, digital technologies-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 117-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 I

• 3
• None
• PDLD 902

Dissertation Research II

• 3
• None
• PDLD 903

Dissertation Research III

• 3
• None
• PDLD 904

Dissertation Research IV

• 3
• None
• PDLD 905

Dissertation Research V

• 3
• None
• PDLD 906

Dissertation Research VI

• 3
• None
• PDLD 907

Dissertation Research VII

• 3
• None
• FBOL 805 — Faith-Based Contracts, Donor Restrictions, and Financial Integrity Law: Legal issues in contracts for faith-based organizations, donor restrictions, and maintaining financial integrityThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PDLD 901 — Dissertation Research I: First stage of doctoral dissertation research, focusing on topic selection and literature reviewThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PDLD 902 — Dissertation Research II: Second stage of dissertation research, developing research methodology and theoretical frameworkThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PDLD 903 — Dissertation Research III: Third stage of dissertation research, conducting data collection and initial analysisThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PDLD 904 — Dissertation Research IV: Fourth stage of dissertation research, advancing data analysis and developing findingsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PDLD 905 — Dissertation Research V: Fifth stage of dissertation research, synthesizing findings and developing argumentsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PDLD 906 — Dissertation Research VI: Sixth stage of dissertation research, writing major chapters and refining analysisThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PDLD 907 — Dissertation Research VII: Seventh stage of dissertation research, completing draft chapters and conducting peer reviewThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Research VIII

• 3
• None
• PDLD 909

Dissertation Research IX

• 3
• None
• PDLD 910

Dissertation Defense & Publication Seminar

• 3
• None
• PDLD 908 — Dissertation Research VIII: Eighth stage of dissertation research, finalizing dissertation manuscript and preparing for defenseThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PDLD 909 — Dissertation Research IX: Ninth stage of dissertation research, revising based on committee feedback and final editingThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PDLD 910 — Dissertation Defense & Publication Seminar: Final stage: dissertation defense preparation, presentation, and guidance on scholarly publicationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 117 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PDLD 701 | Foundations of Law, Technology & Society | 3 | None
• PH.D 701 | Advanced Theories in the Field | 3 | Completion of foundational courses in law and technology, or equivalent experience
• PDLD 702 | Legal Research, Writing & Scholarly Publication | 3 | None
• PH.D 702 | Applied Research Methods | 3 | None
• PDLD 703 | Quantitative Methods for Legal & Policy Research | 3 | None
• PH.D 703 | Leadership and Ethics | 3 | None
• PDLD 704 | Qualitative Methods for Law, Governance & Technology | 3 | None
• PH.D 704 | Strategic Decision Making | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PDLD 705 | Comparative Legal Systems & Global Technology Governance | 3 | None
• PDLD 711 | Cybersecurity Law & Policy | 3 | None
• PDLD 712 | Privacy Law, Data Protection & Compliance | 3 | None
• PDLD 713 | Technology Contracts, Procurement & Vendor Risk | 3 | None
• PDLD 714 | Intellectual Property in the Digital Economy | 3 | None
• PDLD 715 | Digital Evidence, E-Discovery & Litigation Technology | 3 | None
• PP 715 | Nonprofit Advocacy & Public Policy | 3 | None
• PP 716 | Policy Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PP 717 | Advanced Topics in Public Policy | 3 | None
• PP 718 | Social Policy & Community Development | 3 | None
• PDLD 721 | Artificial Intelligence Law, Ethics & Accountability | 3 | None
• PDLD 722 | Algorithmic Governance, Bias & Civil Rights | 3 | None
• PDLD 723 | Platform Regulation, Content Moderation & Online Harms | 3 | None
• PDLD 724 | FinTech Law: Payments, Digital Banking & Regulation | 3 | None
• PDLD 725 | Blockchain, Digital Assets & Smart Contracts Law | 3 | None
• PDLD 731 | Health IT Law: Telehealth, EHRs & Digital Health Compliance | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PDLD 732 | Technology & Administrative Law: Rulemaking and Oversight | 3 | None
• PDLD 733 | Consumer Protection, Deceptive Practices & Digital Markets | 3 | None
• PDLD 734 | Antitrust & Competition in Technology Markets | 3 | None
• PDLD 735 | Critical Infrastructure, National Security & Tech Regulation | 3 | None
• FBOL 801 | Church & Ministry Governance: Constitutions, Bylaws & Board Law | 3 | None
• FBOL 802 | Nonprofit & Tax-Exempt Law for Faith-Based Organizations | 3 | None
• FBOL 803 | Employment, Volunteer, and Clergy HR Law in Ministry Settings | 3 | None
• FBOL 804 | Risk Management: Safeguarding, Liability, and Compliance in Ministries | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• FBOL 805 | Faith-Based Contracts, Donor Restrictions, and Financial Integrity Law | 3 | None
• PDLD 901 | Dissertation Research I | 3 | None
• PDLD 902 | Dissertation Research II | 3 | None
• PDLD 903 | Dissertation Research III | 3 | None
• PDLD 904 | Dissertation Research IV | 3 | None
• PDLD 905 | Dissertation Research V | 3 | None
• PDLD 906 | Dissertation Research VI | 3 | None
• PDLD 907 | Dissertation Research VII | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PDLD 908 | Dissertation Research VIII | 3 | None
• PDLD 909 | Dissertation Research IX | 3 | None
• PDLD 910 | Dissertation Defense & Publication Seminar | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Legal Consultant for Tech Companies
• Policy Advisor in Government Agencies
• Researcher in Academic Institutions
• Compliance Officer for Faith-Based Organizations
• Attorney specializing in Digital Law
• Ethics Compliance Analyst in Corporations
• Advocate for Technology Policy Reforms

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 Law, Digital Technologies
• Total program length | 117 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 law and digital technologies 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