Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Life Coaching, Specialization in Counseling Mentoring

Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Life Coaching with a specialization in Counseling Mentoring is an advanced doctoral program designed for professionals seeking to integrate psychological theory, leadership principles, and ethical stewardship into their professional practice. This curriculum emphasizes the development of sophisticated mentoring strategies that facilitate personal and interpersonal growth within diverse community and organizational environments. Students engage in rigorous academic inquiry, examining the intersections of human behavior, mentorship paradigms, and organizational dynamics from a faith-informed perspective.

Program Details

• Total Credits: 120
• Duration: 3 years
• Degree Level: Doctorate

Dissertation Prospectus Development

• 4
• RES810
• COU855
• Special Topics in Counseling Mentoring
• 3
• COU800
• MGT860
• Strategic Organizational Planning
• 3
• MGT715
• COM865
• Communication and Conflict Resolution
• 3
• None
• RES850 — Dissertation Prospectus Development: Students work closely with faculty to finalize their dissertation topic, literature review, and methodology. The course culminates in the formal defense of the dissertation proposal. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU855 — Special Topics in Counseling Mentoring: A seminar-style course exploring emerging trends and contemporary issues within the field of professional coaching and mentoring. Students critically evaluate current industry innovations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT860 — Strategic Organizational Planning: This course focuses on long-range strategic planning and mission alignment for organizational leaders. Students analyze organizational structure and sustainability challenges. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM865 — Communication and Conflict Resolution: A study of advanced communication techniques to resolve conflicts and build consensus within teams. The course emphasizes mediation skills and professional diplomacy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research and Writing

• 4
• RES850
• CAP885
• Final Dissertation Defense
• 3
• CAP880
• COU890
• Advanced Mentoring Practicum
• 3
• COU800
• THE895

Capstone Seminar: Integrative Leadership

• 3
• None
• CAP880 — Dissertation Research and Writing: Students conduct primary research and complete the writing of their doctoral dissertation under faculty supervision. The course requires rigorous adherence to academic standards and ethical inquiry. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP885 — Final Dissertation Defense: This final capstone experience involves the formal presentation and oral defense of the completed doctoral dissertation. Students demonstrate scholarly competence and synthesis of faith-based professional identity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU890 — Advanced Mentoring Practicum: A practical application course where students implement and evaluate a mentoring program or consultancy project in a real-world setting. Focus is on translating theory into practice. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE895 — Capstone Seminar: Integrative Leadership: A concluding seminar synthesizing coursework, research, and personal formation into a coherent professional philosophy. Students articulate their future contributions to the field. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic experience of the Ph.D. program, requiring students to conduct original research that contributes to the field of faith-based life coaching and counseling mentoring. Candidates must identify a significant research problem, implement a rigorous methodology, and produce a scholarly manuscript that reflects high-level analysis and critical thinking. This project requires the application of research design, data analysis, and synthesis of interdisciplinary knowledge to address contemporary challenges in personal and community development.
• Integration of a faith-based worldview is central to the dissertation, requiring students to examine their research findings through lenses of ethical reasoning, servant leadership, and biblical stewardship. The dissertation process fosters not only academic mastery but also spiritual formation, challenging candidates to demonstrate character development as they articulate their contributions to their respective fields. Through the final defense, students demonstrate their readiness to serve as leaders who bridge academic scholarship with transformative, faith-informed service.

Career Opportunities

• Nonprofit Organization Director
• Faith-Based Program Consultant
• Higher Education Administrator
• Mentoring Program Coordinator
• Organizational Development Strategist
• Professional Life Coach and Consultant
• Community Outreach 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.
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methodology | 4 | None
• COU701 | Advanced Counseling Mentoring Theory | 3 | None
• THE702 | Ethical Stewardship and Professional Practice | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COU710 | Psychology of Human Development | 3 | COU701
• MGT715 | Servant Leadership in Organizations | 3 | None
• RES720 | Statistical Analysis for Social Science | 4 | RES700
• ETH725 | Professional Ethics and Personal Development | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COU800 | Advanced Mentoring Systems | 3 | COU701
• SOC805 | Community Dynamics and Engagement | 3 | None
• RES810 | Qualitative Research Design | 4 | RES700
• BUS815 | Resource Development and Management | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COU820 | Crisis Intervention and Support Strategies | 3 | COU701
• EDU825 | Adult Learning and Instructional Design | 3 | None
• RES830 | Advanced Data Synthesis | 4 | RES720
• MIN835 | Leadership in Diverse Environments | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES850 | Dissertation Prospectus Development | 4 | RES810
• COU855 | Special Topics in Counseling Mentoring | 3 | COU800
• MGT860 | Strategic Organizational Planning | 3 | MGT715
• COM865 | Communication and Conflict Resolution | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP880 | Dissertation Research and Writing | 4 | RES850
• CAP885 | Final Dissertation Defense | 3 | CAP880
• COU890 | Advanced Mentoring Practicum | 3 | COU800
• THE895 | Capstone Seminar: Integrative Leadership | 3 | None