Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Leadership Studies

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Leadership Studies

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 leadership studies 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 Leadership Studies is an advanced research-oriented degree designed to prepare scholars and practitioners for high-level leadership roles within organizations that emphasize ethical stewardship and mission-driven service. The program focuses on the intersection of organizational theory, governance, and moral leadership, providing a rigorous intellectual framework for those called to lead in complex global environments. Students engage in advanced scholarship to address contemporary leadership challenges through a lens of academic excellence and social responsibility.
• The curriculum emphasizes critical inquiry, interdisciplinary research methodologies, and the application of leadership models that prioritize the common good. By integrating theoretical foundations with practical organizational dynamics, the program fosters a scholarly community committed to developing leaders who can navigate the complexities of diverse institutional settings. Graduates are prepared to contribute original research to the field while upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and institutional leadership.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Leadership Studies is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based leadership studies theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based leadership studies-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 Seminar I: Proposal Development

• 4
• RES725
• LDR830
• Advanced Fundraising and Resource Development
• 4
• None
• COM835
• Public Relations and Organizational Communications
• 4
• None
• LDR820 — Public Policy and Institutional Advocacy: This course examines the intersection of public policy and private organizational impact. Students analyze how legislative frameworks influence mission delivery and community engagement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES825 — Dissertation Seminar I: Proposal Development: This seminar facilitates the creation of a formal dissertation proposal. Students receive critique on their research questions, literature review, and methodology design. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LDR830 — Advanced Fundraising and Resource Development: This course investigates strategies for sustainable resource acquisition, including grants and philanthropy. Students synthesize ethical principles into fundraising frameworks. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM835 — Public Relations and Organizational Communications: This course analyzes effective communication strategies for nonprofit and mission-driven entities. Students design multi-channel communication plans for stakeholders and communities. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Seminar II: Data Collection

• 4
• RES825
• LDR845
• Integrative Leadership Practicum
• 4
• None
• LDR850
• Social Justice and Community Engagement
• 4
• None
• LDR855
• Advanced Leadership Seminar
• 4
• None
• RES840 — Dissertation Seminar II: Data Collection: This course supports the execution of primary data collection phases in the doctoral research process. Students engage in ongoing review of ethical considerations and data management. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LDR845 — Integrative Leadership Practicum: This course requires students to apply leadership theory in a mentored professional setting. Students demonstrate servant leadership and critical problem-solving skills in real-time. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LDR850 — Social Justice and Community Engagement: This course evaluates methods for community engagement that address systemic needs. Students design programs that utilize institutional resources for local community empowerment. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LDR855 — Advanced Leadership Seminar: This capstone seminar synthesizes all core concepts of the doctoral curriculum. Students reflect on their personal leadership journey and professional objectives. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Defense

• 4
• RES840
• RES860

Dissertation Research and Writing

• 4
• RES840
• RES865
• Scholarly Publication and Dissemination
• 4
• RES840
• RES870
• Advanced Statistical Review
• 3
• RES840
• CAP899 — Dissertation Defense: This final course involves the formal submission and oral defense of the doctoral dissertation. Students demonstrate mastery of their research topic and field of study. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES860 — Dissertation Research and Writing: This course allows for the finalization and refinement of the dissertation manuscript. Students work closely with committee advisors to prepare for final submission. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES865 — Scholarly Publication and Dissemination: This course examines the processes of peer-review and scholarly publishing. Students refine their research for publication in academic journals or professional platforms. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES870 — Advanced Statistical Review: This final advisory meeting confirms the mathematical and analytical rigor of the dissertation project. Students ensure all data integrity protocols have been satisfied. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic experience for the PhD program, requiring the student to contribute original knowledge to the field of leadership studies. Spanning 12 credit hours, the dissertation process mandates the identification of a significant research problem, a comprehensive literature review, the application of rigorous methodology, and the analysis of data. Students are expected to produce a high-quality scholarly document that reflects critical engagement with their chosen subject matter and demonstrates mastery of academic discourse.
• Integration of faith-based perspectives is a central component of the dissertation process, requiring students to articulate how their research addresses ethical reasoning, servant leadership, and stewardship. Students must demonstrate how their academic inquiry aligns with their personal faith-informed character, ensuring that their research contributes not only to intellectual discourse but also to the betterment of organizational and community life. The dissertation stands as a testament to the candidate’s ability to synthesize academic competence with a commitment to integrity and principled service.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methodology | 3 | None
• LDR701 | Foundations of Ethical Leadership | 3 | None
• LDR702 | Organizational Stewardship and Governance | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES710 | Quantitative Data Analysis for Leaders | 4 | RES700
• LDR715 | Conflict Resolution and Mediation | 4 | None
• LDR720 | Global Leadership Perspectives | 4 | None
• RES725 | Qualitative Inquiry in Leadership | 4 | RES700
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LDR800 | Strategic Organizational Planning | 4 | None
• LDR805 | Change Management and Organizational Development | 4 | None
• HIS810 | History of Leadership thought | 4 | None
• LDR815 | Human Resource Management in Nonprofits | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LDR820 | Public Policy and Institutional Advocacy | 4 | None
• RES825 | Dissertation Seminar I: Proposal Development | 4 | RES725
• LDR830 | Advanced Fundraising and Resource Development | 4 | None
• COM835 | Public Relations and Organizational Communications | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES840 | Dissertation Seminar II: Data Collection | 4 | RES825
• LDR845 | Integrative Leadership Practicum | 4 | None
• LDR850 | Social Justice and Community Engagement | 4 | None
• LDR855 | Advanced Leadership Seminar | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP899 | Dissertation Defense | 4 | RES840
• RES860 | Dissertation Research and Writing | 4 | RES840
• RES865 | Scholarly Publication and Dissemination | 4 | RES840
• RES870 | Advanced Statistical Review | 3 | RES840

Career Opportunities

• Nonprofit Executive Leadership
• Academic Research and Teaching
• Organizational Strategy Consultant
• Philanthropic Program Director
• Faith-Based Institutional Administration
• Public Policy Advisor
• Community Development Coordinator

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 Studies
• 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 leadership studies 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