Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Music in Performance, Specialization in Music

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Music in Performance

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 music and performance 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 Music in Performance at HBI University is an advanced research and performance degree designed for scholar-artists who seek to integrate technical musical excellence with rigorous academic inquiry. The program fosters a sophisticated understanding of the intersection between performance practice, musicology, and ethical stewardship, preparing graduates to excel in professional settings through a commitment to artistic integrity and servant leadership. Students engage in intensive advanced study, refining their interpretive skills while conducting original research that contributes to the broader musical discourse. By emphasizing the role of the musician as a steward of cultural and spiritual heritage, the program prepares candidates to navigate complex performance environments with a foundation in reflective practice and scholarly rigor. Throughout the curriculum, candidates explore how performance functions as a vehicle for community engagement and ethical expression, ensuring that their work is both technically demanding and socially significant.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Music in Performance is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based music in performance 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 music in performance-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 Proposal Development

• 3
• RES701
• RES750 — Music Theory and Contemporary Composition: Advanced analysis of contemporary music structures and modern tonal systems. The course examines how harmonic complexity shapes emotional expression in performance. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PER760 — Performance Practice and Culture: Students investigate how culture shapes performance expectations and artistic reception. The course explores the social influence of the artist within global communities. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN770 — Ethics in Professional Practice: This course examines ethical dilemmas faced by artists in professional and community settings. Students develop decision-making models rooted in integrity and responsibility. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP780 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Guidance on identifying a research topic and preparing the formal dissertation proposal. Students refine their research questions and methodological approach. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Finalization and Defense

• 7
• RES860
• PER895
• Doctoral Performance Review
• 4
• PER850
• RES898
• Advanced Scholarly Writing
• 3
• RES810
• MGT899
• Professional Development Seminar
• 3
• None
• CAP890 — Dissertation Finalization and Defense: Completion and formal defense of the doctoral dissertation. Candidates demonstrate both scholarly maturity and professional performance excellence to the committee. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PER895 — Doctoral Performance Review: Comprehensive evaluation of the doctoral candidate's performance portfolio and development. The course serves as a summary of the student's artistic maturation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES898 — Advanced Scholarly Writing: Refining the clarity, structure, and professional tone of the final doctoral manuscript. Focus is on peer-review readiness and academic integrity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT899 — Professional Development Seminar: Preparation for the academic and professional job market. Topics include CV development, interview prep, and networking for service-oriented roles. 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 Music in Performance, requiring students to synthesize high-level musical performance with original scholarly research. Students are expected to complete both a substantial performance-based project and a written document that provides an analytical and historical context for their work, demonstrating the depth of their intellectual and artistic contribution to the discipline. This project accounts for 15 credit hours of the curriculum.
• Beyond technical merit, the dissertation requires an integration of faith-informed character development, where students articulate how their artistic practice reflects ethical reasoning and biblical stewardship. Candidates must demonstrate how their research serves the community and contributes to the well-being of others, illustrating their potential for servant leadership. The final submission must meet rigorous academic standards while serving as a testament to the student’s spiritual formation and commitment to using their musical gifts as a force for ethical influence and community transformation.

Career Opportunities

• University Professor of Music
• Director of Faith-Based Music Outreach
• Professional Concert Performer
• Nonprofit Music Education Coordinator
• Director of Artistic Programming
• Choral and Instrumental Arts Administrator

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 Music in Performance
• 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 music and performance 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 Music | 3 | None
• PER705 | Advanced Performance Seminar I | 3 | None
• MUS710 | Aesthetics and Cultural Resource Management | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES715 | Historical Musicology and Analysis | 4 | RES701
• PER720 | Advanced Performance Seminar II | 4 | PER705
• MGT730 | Leadership in Music Organizations | 3 | None
• MUS740 | Pedagogy for Higher Education | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES750 | Music Theory and Contemporary Composition | 4 | RES715
• PER760 | Performance Practice and Culture | 4 | PER720
• MIN770 | Ethics in Professional Practice | 3 | THE710
• CAP780 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | RES701
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PER805 | Advanced Recital Preparation I | 4 | PER760
• RES810 | Qualitative Research in the Arts | 4 | RES701
• SOC820 | Music and Community Engagement | 3 | None
• MGT830 | Nonprofit Resource Development | 3 | MGT730
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PER850 | Advanced Recital Preparation II | 4 | PER805
• RES860 | Directed Dissertation Research | 4 | CAP780
• EDU870 | Curriculum Design in Music | 3 | MUS740
• MIN880 | Mentorship in the Arts | 3 | MIN770
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP890 | Dissertation Finalization and Defense | 7 | RES860
• PER895 | Doctoral Performance Review | 4 | PER850
• RES898 | Advanced Scholarly Writing | 3 | RES810
• MGT899 | Professional Development Seminar | 3 | None