Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Law, Digital Technologies, Specialization in Org. Laws

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Law, Digital Technologies, and Organizational Laws

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 law and digital technologies specialization courses

30 credit hours

Leadership, organizational law 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 Law and Digital Technologies with a specialization in Organizational Laws is an advanced, research-oriented program designed for legal scholars and policy practitioners. This curriculum examines the intersection of emerging digital infrastructures, regulatory frameworks, and the ethical foundations of organizational governance. By synthesizing legal theory with technical proficiency, students explore how digital transformation impacts public and private sector entities within a framework of ethical stewardship.

Students engage with complex legal challenges including cybersecurity, data privacy, digital contracts, and intellectual property within organizational contexts. The program emphasizes the development of original scholarship that addresses the challenges of modern governance while maintaining a focus on principled leadership and institutional integrity. Through a rigorous study of legal systems and digital advancements, graduates are equipped to lead with both intellectual precision and moral clarity.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Law, Digital Technologies, Specialization in Org. Laws is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based law, digital technologies, and organizational laws 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 law, digital technologies, and organizational laws-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 Proposal Development

• 3
• RES750
• LAW801 — Cybersecurity Law and Liability: Legal aspects of cybersecurity defense and the liabilities faced by organizations in a digital era. Students analyze case law and risk management frameworks. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DGT810 — Digital Transformation and Governance: Strategies for integrating digital workflows while maintaining legal and ethical institutional boundaries. Focus includes systemic implementation and stakeholder advocacy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LAW825 — Intellectual Property in the Digital Age: Analysis of the changing landscape of intellectual property rights, licensing, and digital assets. Students examine current debates on copyright and innovation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES805 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Formalizing the dissertation research topic, literature review, and methodological framework. Students receive intensive faculty mentorship to prepare for independent research. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 7
• RES805
• LAW870
• Global Digital Policy Analysis
• 3
• DGT710
• COM830
• Advanced Scholarly Communication
• 3
• None
• EDU850
• Institutional Strategy and Leadership
• 3
• BUS730
• CAP800 — Dissertation Research I: Independent data collection, analysis, and initial drafting of the dissertation under committee supervision. Students must demonstrate rigorous adherence to scholarly standards. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LAW870 — Global Digital Policy Analysis: Comparative study of international digital laws and their impact on global organizational structures. Emphasis is placed on cross-cultural ethics and legal cooperation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM830 — Advanced Scholarly Communication: Developing proficiency in communicating complex legal and digital findings to public and professional audiences. Focus includes editorial skill and public speaking. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU850 — Institutional Strategy and Leadership: Examining strategic planning and human capital management within the legal framework of modern institutions. Focus on mission-driven institutional sustainability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research II

• 8
• CAP800
• LAW895
• Seminar in Emerging Legal Challenges
• 3
• None
• CHR880
• Servant Leadership in Practice
• 3
• None
• SOC840
• Community Impact and Social Justice
• 3
• None
• CAP850 — Dissertation Research II: Final synthesis of research findings, completion of the dissertation manuscript, and preparation for the final oral defense. The project must reflect depth, integration, and originality. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LAW895 — Seminar in Emerging Legal Challenges: Advanced discussion on current trends in law and digital technology. Students apply cumulative learning to propose solutions for contemporary regulatory dilemmas. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR880 — Servant Leadership in Practice: Capstone seminar focusing on the integration of faith and practice in the context of institutional service and organizational governance. Students reflect on their professional calling. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC840 — Community Impact and Social Justice: Evaluating the broader societal implications of legal and organizational decisions on marginalized populations. Focus on advocacy and community-based service initiatives. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation represents the pinnacle of the doctoral experience, requiring students to conduct original research that addresses significant challenges at the intersection of law, digital technology, and organizational governance. Students are expected to produce a scholarly manuscript that utilizes empirical or theoretical frameworks to investigate a problem of practice, demonstrating academic excellence, critical inquiry, and command of legal principles.
• The project integrates a Christian worldview by requiring students to address ethical imperatives, the implications for human flourishing, and the stewardship of digital and human capital within organizations. The final dissertation serves as a demonstration of both professional competence and character development, reflecting the student's ability to apply servant leadership to complex systemic challenges. This 15-credit requirement is completed over the final two semesters, culminating in a defense before a faculty committee.

Career Opportunities

• General Counsel for Faith-Based Nonprofits
• Digital Policy Analyst for Government Agencies
• Compliance Officer for Educational Institutions
• Organizational Ethics Consultant
• Public Policy Researcher
• Legal Liaison for Religious Organizations
• Director of Institutional Governance

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 Law, Digital Technologies, and Organizational Laws
• 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 law and digital technologies specialization courses | 30 credit hours
• Leadership, organizational law 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
• RES701 | Doctoral Research Methodologies | 3 | None
• LAW705 | Foundations of Organizational Law | 3 | None
• DGT710 | Digital Technology and Public Policy | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LAW720 | Digital Privacy and Data Governance | 3 | LAW705
• BUS730 | Ethical Leadership and Management | 3 | None
• RES750 | Advanced Statistical Analysis for Law | 3 | RES701
• LAW715 | Public Policy and Fiduciary Responsibility | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LAW801 | Cybersecurity Law and Liability | 4 | LAW720
• DGT810 | Digital Transformation and Governance | 4 | DGT710
• LAW825 | Intellectual Property in the Digital Age | 3 | LAW705
• RES805 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | RES750
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LAW840 | Corporate Social Responsibility and Law | 4 | BUS730
• MGT850 | Conflict Resolution and Organizational Culture | 4 | None
• HIS820 | History of Legal Ethics and Policy | 3 | None
• RES890 | Advanced Quantitative Methods | 3 | RES750
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP800 | Dissertation Research I | 7 | RES805
• LAW870 | Global Digital Policy Analysis | 3 | DGT710
• COM830 | Advanced Scholarly Communication | 3 | None
• EDU850 | Institutional Strategy and Leadership | 3 | BUS730
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP850 | Dissertation Research II | 8 | CAP800
• LAW895 | Seminar in Emerging Legal Challenges | 3 | None
• CHR880 | Servant Leadership in Practice | 3 | None
• SOC840 | Community Impact and Social Justice | 3 | None