Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Leadership, Cultural Management

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Leadership, Cultural Management

Total program length

84 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 leadership and cultural management 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: 84
• Duration: 3 years
• Degree Level: PhD

Dissertation research and defense

• 18 credit hours
• Total
• 120 semester credit hours
• The Ph.D. in Christian Leadership and Cultural Management program is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and practical skills for effective leadership in various cultural contexts. The program emphasizes the integration of Christian principles with contemporary management strategies, preparing students to navigate complex organizational environments. Participants will explore topics such as leadership theory, cultural stewardship, and community engagement, fostering a holistic approach to leadership that aligns faith-based values with practical applications. Graduates will be well-prepared for influential roles in religious organizations, non-profits, and community development, where they can drive positive change and inspire others. The program is valuable for those seeking to enhance their leadership capacity while making a meaningful impact through their work and ministry.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Leadership, Cultural Management is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based leadership, cultural management theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based leadership, cultural management-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 84-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 Development & Prospectus Defense

• 3
• None
• DIS 891

Dissertation Research I

• 3
• None
• DIS 892

Dissertation Research II

• 3
• None
• DIS 893

Dissertation Writing & Defense

• 3
• None
• CHL 901
• Biblical and Theological Foundations of Christian Leadership
• 3
• None
• DIS 890 — Dissertation Proposal Development & Prospectus Defense: Dissertation proposal developmentThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DIS 891 — Dissertation Research I: Dissertation research phase oneThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DIS 892 — Dissertation Research II: Dissertation research phase twoThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DIS 893 — Dissertation Writing & Defense: Dissertation writing and defenseThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• CHL 901 — Biblical and Theological Foundations of Christian Leadership: Biblical and theological foundations of Christian leadershipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• GRAD 501 | Graduate Academic Writing | 3 | None
• LCM 801 | Doctoral Seminar: Leadership Theory & Scholarship | 3 | None
• LCM 802 | Organizational Behavior, Culture, and Climate | 3 | None
• LCM 803 | Strategic Leadership & Decision Systems | 3 | None
• LCM 804 | Change Leadership & Organizational Development | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LCM 805 | Ethics, Governance, and Responsible Leadership | 3 | None
• LCM 810 | Cultural Management Theory: Institutions, Arts, and Society | 3 | None
• LCM 811 | Global & Intercultural Leadership | 3 | None
• LCM 812 | Cultural Policy, Public Affairs, and Advocacy | 3 | None
• LCM 813 | Community Development, Social Impact, and Equity | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LCM 814 | Cultural Economics & Resource Strategy | 3 | None
• RES 821 | Philosophy of Science & Theory Building | 3 | None
• RES 822 | Quantitative Research Design & Causal Inference | 3 | Completion of foundational research methods course
• RES 823 | Applied Statistics I (Regression & GLM) | 3 | None
• RES 824 | Applied Statistics II (Multivariate & SEM) | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES 825 | Qualitative Methods I (Interviewing & Field Research) | 3 | Semester 5
• RES 826 | Qualitative Methods II (Case Study & Mixed Methods) | 3 | Semester 6
• LCM 830 | Doctoral Colloquium: Research in Leadership & Culture | 3 | None
• LCM 831 | Teaching in Higher Education: Pedagogy & Assessment | 3 | None
• LCM 840 | Qualifying Examination Seminar | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS 890 | Dissertation Proposal Development & Prospectus Defense | 3 | None
• DIS 891 | Dissertation Research I | 3 | None
• DIS 892 | Dissertation Research II | 3 | None
• DIS 893 | Dissertation Writing & Defense | 3 | None
• CHL 901 | Biblical and Theological Foundations of Christian Leadership | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CHL 903 | Spiritual Formation and Leader Identity | 3 | None
• CHL 904 | Christian Ethics, Justice, and Moral Leadership | 3 | None
• CHL 905 | Integrative Seminar in Christian Leadership and Culture | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Director of Community Outreach
• Senior Church Administrator
• Non-Profit Executive Director
• Cultural Consultant for Faith-Based Organizations
• University Professor in Leadership Studies
• Leadership Development Coordinator
• Religious Affiliated Organizational Leader

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 Leadership, Cultural Management
• Total program length | 84 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 leadership and cultural management 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