Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Leadership Studies, Specialization in Understanding Leadership in World Religions

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Leadership Studies, Specialization in Understanding Leadership in World Religions

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 leadership in world religions 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 Leadership Studies, with a specialization in Understanding Leadership in World Religions, is a rigorous terminal degree designed for scholars and practitioners seeking to examine the intersection of organizational leadership and religious pluralism. This program offers a comprehensive framework for understanding leadership paradigms across diverse traditions, encouraging an interdisciplinary approach that values ethical stewardship and servant leadership within complex global environments. Students engage in advanced research, critical theory, and leadership praxis to develop a sophisticated understanding of how diverse belief systems inform organizational culture, community engagement, and social governance. The curriculum fosters a scholarly environment where students integrate rigorous academic research with the practical challenges of guiding faith-centered organizations. Through a focus on historical, sociological, and leadership theories, graduates are prepared to navigate the nuances of global religious landscapes while upholding institutional integrity and promoting collaborative community outcomes.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Leadership Studies, Specialization in Understanding Leadership in World Religions is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based leadership studies, specialization in understanding leadership in world religions 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 leadership studies, specialization in understanding leadership in world religions-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 Prospectus Development

• 4
• RES740
• REL800 — Pluralism and Civil Society: This course explores the challenges and opportunities of leadership within pluralistic societies. Students analyze frameworks for inter-religious cooperation and constructive civic engagement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT810 — Strategic Planning in Faith-Based Environments: Students develop advanced skills in strategic visioning and implementation within organizations rooted in mission-driven values. The course focuses on aligning organizational actions with stated institutional mission. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HIS820 — Historical Perspectives on Global Leadership: An examination of how historical events and shifts in religious thought have shaped leadership expectations across the globe. Students critique historical case studies for contemporary application. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES830 — Dissertation Prospectus Development: In this course, students define their research problem and draft the dissertation proposal. Emphasis is placed on methodological feasibility and theoretical alignment. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 4
• RES830
• DIS910

Dissertation Research II

• 4
• DIS900
• COM880
• Professional Communication for Leaders
• 3
• None
• THE890
• Advanced Seminar in Faith and Society
• 3
• THE720
• DIS900 — Dissertation Research I: The first phase of the dissertation involves independent data collection and preliminary analysis under faculty supervision. Students maintain rigorous records of their scholarly inquiry. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS910 — Dissertation Research II: Students finalize their data analysis and draft primary sections of the dissertation manuscript. Regular consultation with the chair ensures alignment with institutional standards. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM880 — Professional Communication for Leaders: This course enhances public speaking, persuasive writing, and crisis communication skills. Students prepare to articulate organizational vision to diverse internal and external stakeholders. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE890 — Advanced Seminar in Faith and Society: A seminar evaluating the role of the individual leader in fostering societal welfare through the application of core religious values. Critical discussion serves as the foundation for the course. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research III

• 4
• DIS910
• DIS930

Dissertation Defense

• 4
• DIS920
• MGT895
• Leadership in Global Contexts
• 4
• None
• REL898
• Special Topics in Religious Studies
• 4
• None
• DIS920 — Dissertation Research III: This phase focuses on the final editing and synthesis of the dissertation work, preparing the document for formal committee review. Attention to detail and scholarly precision are mandatory. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS930 — Dissertation Defense: The final course includes the formal defense of the dissertation before an appointed committee of scholars. Successful defense marks the completion of the doctoral degree requirements. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT895 — Leadership in Global Contexts: This course analyzes the geopolitical and cultural variables affecting leadership strategies in international settings. Students assess the impact of globalization on local mission-driven organizations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• REL898 — Special Topics in Religious Studies: An advanced study of emerging trends in the intersection of religious thought and social leadership. Students critically evaluate current literature to propose future directions for the field. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic experience for the Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Leadership Studies, requiring the student to produce an original, high-level research project that contributes significantly to the field of leadership studies. Students are expected to identify a critical problem within a multi-faith organizational context and conduct systematic inquiry that demonstrates mastery of research methodology, literature review, and analytical synthesis. The scope of this project includes identifying practical implications for leadership in world religions, ensuring that the work is both theoretically sound and practically relevant for faith-informed organizational governance.
• Throughout the dissertation process, students integrate Christian worldview perspectives, focusing on the themes of servant leadership, ethical integrity, and responsible stewardship of resources. The deliverable is a comprehensive dissertation document that undergoes a formal defense before a faculty committee. This process tests the student's ability to engage in sustained, disciplined academic inquiry while demonstrating the moral and spiritual maturity required to serve in leadership roles that impact the common good and advance faith-based missions.

Career Opportunities

• Nonprofit Executive Director
• Interfaith Engagement Specialist
• University Professor of Organizational Leadership
• Religious Affairs Consultant
• Community Relations Liaison
• Public Policy Advisor for Faith-Based Initiatives
• Global Non-Governmental Organization Program Manager

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 Leadership Studies, Specialization in Understanding Leadership in World Religions
• 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 leadership in world religions 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
• RES701 | Advanced Research Methods in Social Science | 4 | None
• MGT710 | Theories of Organizational Leadership | 4 | None
• THE720 | Faith and Organizational Ethics | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• REL730 | Leadership Paradigms in World Religions | 4 | None
• RES740 | Data Analysis for Doctoral Research | 4 | RES701
• SOC750 | Sociology of Religious Institutions | 4 | None
• MGT760 | Stewardship and Financial Governance | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• REL800 | Pluralism and Civil Society | 4 | REL730
• MGT810 | Strategic Planning in Faith-Based Environments | 4 | MGT710
• HIS820 | Historical Perspectives on Global Leadership | 4 | None
• RES830 | Dissertation Prospectus Development | 4 | RES740
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• REL840 | Comparative Religious Leadership Ethics | 4 | THE720
• EDU850 | Mentoring and Developing Leaders | 4 | None
• RES860 | Advanced Qualitative Inquiry | 4 | RES701
• MGT870 | Organizational Culture and Change Management | 4 | MGT710
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS900 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES830
• DIS910 | Dissertation Research II | 4 | DIS900
• COM880 | Professional Communication for Leaders | 3 | None
• THE890 | Advanced Seminar in Faith and Society | 3 | THE720
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS920 | Dissertation Research III | 4 | DIS910
• DIS930 | Dissertation Defense | 4 | DIS920
• MGT895 | Leadership in Global Contexts | 4 | None
• REL898 | Special Topics in Religious Studies | 4 | None