Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Legal Science, Laws that Govern Non-Profits

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Legal Science, Laws that Govern Non-Profits

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 legal science 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 Legal Science is an advanced interdisciplinary program designed for scholars and practitioners seeking to navigate the complex regulatory and ethical environment of the non-profit sector. Students engage in rigorous analysis of tax law, institutional governance, and public policy, integrating legal frameworks with the principles of steward-leadership and fiduciary responsibility. By fostering deep inquiry into the legal foundations of charitable work, the program equips candidates to lead organizations with both administrative precision and moral clarity. Through comprehensive study, researchers develop the expertise necessary to address the evolving legal challenges facing faith-motivated institutions in a diverse society. The curriculum emphasizes evidence-based methodology, critical evaluation of policy impacts, and the synthesis of organizational law with mission-driven practice.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Legal Science, Laws that Govern Non-Profits is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based legal science, laws that govern non-profits theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based legal science, laws that govern non-profits-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 Prospectus Development

• 3
• RES701
• LAW801 — Employment Law for Non-Profits: This course covers legal issues related to staffing, volunteer management, and labor regulations. Participants identify risks and strategies for maintaining compliance. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LAW805 — Property and Liability Risk Management: Instruction focuses on the mitigation of legal risk regarding physical assets and organizational liability. Topics include insurance, premises safety, and contractual obligations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS810 — Stewardship and Fiscal Responsibility: This course evaluates the legal and moral dimensions of financial management and resource allocation within charitable institutions. Emphasis is on transparency in reporting. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES815 — Dissertation Prospectus Development: Students develop the framework and research question for their doctoral dissertation. This process includes drafting a literature review and choosing a research methodology. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Part I

• 5
• RES855
• DIS891

Dissertation Part II

• 5
• DIS890
• MGT870
• Professional Readiness and Leadership
• 3
• None
• CAP860 — Comprehensive Doctoral Examination: Students undergo a comprehensive review of all core legal, policy, and research materials to demonstrate mastery of the field. Passing the exam is a requirement for final dissertation submission. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS890 — Dissertation Part I: This initial phase of the dissertation involves extensive data collection and analysis under the supervision of a faculty chair. Candidates must demonstrate original contribution to the field. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS891 — Dissertation Part II: This final phase involves the completion of the dissertation manuscript and the successful oral defense before the doctoral committee. Focus is on synthesizing research, theory, and faith-informed application. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT870 — Professional Readiness and Leadership: This course prepares graduates for high-level leadership roles, emphasizing character development and professional communication. Students outline their strategy for ongoing community engagement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The dissertation serves as the culminating scholarly experience of the PhD program, requiring students to conduct original, independent research that addresses a significant legal or regulatory challenge within the non-profit sector. This project demands a high level of critical analysis, integrating complex legal theory with the practical needs of charitable organizations. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of research methodologies while addressing how their work advances the field of legal science through an lens of ethical integrity and servant leadership.
• Beyond academic rigor, the dissertation provides a space for the student to articulate a faith-informed perspective on stewardship and social responsibility. By engaging in deep scholarly reflection, students explore how legal structures support the mission-driven work of their organizations. The dissertation must include a substantial analysis of how biblical principles of justice and integrity inform administrative and legal solutions, demonstrating both advanced academic competence and the character development expected of a leader within the faith-based community. This research is weighted at 10 credit hours.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Legal Research Methods | 3 | None
• LAW705 | Foundations of Non-Profit Law | 4 | None
• ETH710 | Ethics and Servant Leadership | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LAW715 | Advanced Tax Exemption Law | 3 | LAW705
• MGT720 | Non-Profit Governance and Compliance | 4 | LAW705
• RES725 | Quantitative Policy Analysis | 3 | RES701
• HIS730 | Historical Perspectives on Public Policy | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LAW801 | Employment Law for Non-Profits | 3 | LAW705
• LAW805 | Property and Liability Risk Management | 4 | LAW705
• BUS810 | Stewardship and Fiscal Responsibility | 3 | None
• RES815 | Dissertation Prospectus Development | 3 | RES701
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LAW821 | Constitutional Law and First Amendment Protections | 3 | LAW705
• COM825 | Public Advocacy and Communications | 3 | None
• MGT830 | Strategic Planning in Legal Contexts | 4 | MGT720
• RES835 | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | 3 | RES701
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• LAW840 | International Legal Perspectives | 3 | None
• LAW845 | Contractual Integrity and Negotiation | 4 | LAW705
• ETH851 | Organizational Ethics and Institutional Accountability | 3 | ETH710
• RES855 | Research Seminar for Dissertation | 3 | RES815
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP860 | Comprehensive Doctoral Examination | 3 | All Core Courses
• DIS890 | Dissertation Part I | 5 | RES855
• DIS891 | Dissertation Part II | 5 | DIS890
• MGT870 | Professional Readiness and Leadership | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• General Counsel for National Non-profit Networks
• Chief Executive Officer of Charitable Organizations
• Public Policy Analyst for Faith-Based Advocacy Groups
• Legal Consultant for Tax-Exempt Entities
• Higher Education Faculty in Law and Policy
• Executive Director of Community Foundation Initiatives

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 Legal Science, Laws that Govern Non-Profits
• 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 legal science 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