Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Music Composition

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Music Composition

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 music composition 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 Music Composition is a rigorous, research-intensive program designed to cultivate advanced scholars and creative practitioners in the field of contemporary musical arts. The curriculum explores the intersection of advanced harmonic theory, structural analysis, and the philosophical underpinnings of musical expression within diverse cultural and institutional contexts. Students engage in intensive inquiry, exploring how musical composition serves as a medium for artistic excellence and community enrichment.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Music Composition is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based music composition theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based music composition-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.

Thesis Proposal Development

• 4
• RES705
• MUS702 — Advanced Compositional Techniques II: A continuation of compositional study with a focus on electronic media and interdisciplinary collaboration. Students develop original works for modern ensembles. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MUS715 — Structural Analysis of 20th and 21st Century Works: An in-depth analysis of modern musical scores, focusing on pitch-class set theory and temporal structures. This course enhances technical critical listening skills. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HUM720 — Philosophy of Aesthetics and Culture: This course examines the relationship between artistic production and cultural values. It explores the philosophical foundations of human creative expression. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES730 — Thesis Proposal Development: Students draft their initial research questions and project scopes for their dissertation work. This course focuses on methodology and literature review development. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The dissertation serves as the culmination of the doctoral program, requiring candidates to produce an original, large-scale musical work accompanied by a substantial analytical thesis. The dissertation requires students to synthesize advanced technical skill with a coherent, evidence-based research project that addresses a significant gap in contemporary musical literature or theory. It is a 12-credit requirement that mandates deep intellectual rigor and a demonstrated capacity for independent, scholarly inquiry.
• Beyond technical musical output, the dissertation integrates faith-based perspectives by challenging students to demonstrate how their creative work embodies principles of ethical reasoning, biblical stewardship, and servant leadership. Candidates are expected to frame their compositional choices within a broader context of spiritual formation and service, ensuring their scholarship contributes positively to the flourishing of community-based cultural institutions. This project acts as a bridge between academic mastery and character development, requiring students to articulate their work's societal and ethical impact.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MUS701 | Advanced Compositional Techniques I | 3 | Graduate standing
• RES705 | Advanced Research Methods in Musicology | 3 | Graduate standing
• THE710 | Ethical Frameworks in Artistic Leadership | 3 | Graduate standing
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MUS702 | Advanced Compositional Techniques II | 4 | MUS701
• MUS715 | Structural Analysis of 20th and 21st Century Works | 4 | MUS701
• HUM720 | Philosophy of Aesthetics and Culture | 4 | Graduate standing
• RES730 | Thesis Proposal Development | 4 | RES705
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MUS801 | Directed Creative Studio I | 4 | MUS702
• MIN805 | Stewardship and Organizational Management | 4 | THE710
• MUS810 | Global Perspectives in Musical Tradition | 4 | Graduate standing
• RES815 | Quantitative and Qualitative Inquiry | 4 | RES705
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MUS802 | Directed Creative Studio II | 4 | MUS801
• MUS820 | Pedagogy in Musical Arts | 4 | Graduate standing
• MUS825 | Critical Theory and Social Engagement | 4 | HUM720
• RES830 | Advanced Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES730
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MUS850 | Advanced Orchestration Seminar | 3 | MUS802
• MUS855 | Contemporary Performance Practice | 3 | Graduate standing
• RES860 | Advanced Dissertation Research II | 3 | RES830
• CAP870 | Doctoral Portfolio Seminar | 3 | Completion of all other coursework
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS890 | Doctoral Dissertation Defense | 4 | Completion of all core coursework
• MUS891 | Creative Portfolio Review | 3 | Completion of all core coursework
• MUS892 | Contemporary Professional Seminar in Artistic Practice | 3 | Completion of all core coursework
• RES893 | Professional Field Practicum | 3 | Completion of all core coursework

Career Opportunities

• University Professor of Music Composition
• Choral and Orchestral Director
• Nonprofit Arts Administrator
• Director of Creative Arts for Faith-Based Organizations
• Music Archivist and Research Scholar
• Professional Composer for Media and Concert Halls
• Consultant for Community Cultural Development

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 Music Composition
• 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 music composition 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