Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Music Production, Specialization in Theater

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Music Production, Specialization in Theater

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 production 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 Production with a specialization in Theater is a terminal research degree designed for scholars and practitioners seeking to integrate advanced aesthetic production techniques with a rigorous commitment to ethical stewardship and community service. The program emphasizes the intersection of acoustic arts, theatrical performance, and moral leadership, challenging students to synthesize their creative mastery with the values of servant leadership and social responsibility within their artistic practice.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Music Production, Specialization in Theater is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based music production, specialization in theater theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based music production, specialization in theater-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 Research and Fieldwork I

• 3
• RES820
• THE855
• Advanced Studies in Performance History
• 3
• None
• RES860
• Grant Writing and Institutional Resource Development
• 4
• MGT720
• THE865
• Innovative Production Technologies in Theater
• 3
• THE810
• DIS850 — Dissertation Research and Fieldwork I: Initial phase of the doctoral dissertation involving data collection, artistic creation, or field research. Emphasizes rigorous adherence to original research goals. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE855 — Advanced Studies in Performance History: Comprehensive review of performance history with a focus on its application to modern, community-based theatrical settings. Encourages critical analysis of historical production techniques. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES860 — Grant Writing and Institutional Resource Development: Focuses on the development of grant proposals for artistic and community-based projects. Addresses donor relations and resource sustainability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE865 — Innovative Production Technologies in Theater: Survey of emerging technologies in theatrical production, including digital workflows and visual media integration. Focuses on accessibility and technical efficiency. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Finalization and Defense

• 7
• DIS850
• THE895
• Professional Practice Seminar
• 3
• None
• SOC898
• Social Change and Arts Advocacy
• 3
• None
• CAP899
• Leadership in Non-Profit Organizations
• 3
• None
• DIS890 — Dissertation Finalization and Defense: Final completion of the dissertation manuscript and formal oral defense. Demonstrates the scholar's ability to synthesize advanced theory with creative practice in a faith-informed manner. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• THE895 — Professional Practice Seminar: Review of ethical professional standards and preparation for doctoral-level leadership roles. Focuses on career integration and ongoing professional development. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC898 — Social Change and Arts Advocacy: Analysis of the artist's role as a change agent in contemporary society. Focuses on advocacy, public policy, and community impact. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP899 — Leadership in Non-Profit Organizations: Focuses on the application of leadership theory in complex, organizational environments. Addresses the integration of mission and administrative strategy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The dissertation serves as the capstone experience for this PhD, requiring the student to produce a significant, original contribution to the scholarship of music production and theater. Candidates are expected to conduct primary research or mount a creative project that addresses a substantive problem or innovation in the field, supported by an extensive written analysis that connects the creative work to theoretical, historical, and ethical inquiries. This project must demonstrate both deep academic competence and the candidate’s ability to articulate their work within the context of a faith-based worldview, emphasizing themes of stewardship and moral character. The dissertation concludes with a formal defense before a faculty committee, ensuring the work adheres to the university's standards for intellectual rigor and vocational integrity. This 10-credit requirement ensures that graduates demonstrate the capacity for independent scholarly work that informs their future service to community-oriented institutions.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Advanced Research Methodologies in the Arts | 4 | None
• THE705 | Advanced Theatrical Direction and Theory | 3 | None
• MIN710 | Stewardship and Ethics in Artistic Leadership | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES702 | Applied Statistical Analysis for Creative Arts | 3 | RES701
• THE715 | Advanced Acoustic Production in Theater | 4 | THE705
• MGT720 | Management of Non-Profit Performing Arts | 3 | None
• SOC725 | Sociology of Culture and Social Engagement | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES801 | Advanced Seminar in Creative Research | 3 | RES702
• THE805 | Contemporary Dramaturgy and Production | 4 | THE715
• THE810 | Specialized Audio Engineering for Theater | 3 | THE715
• EDU815 | Pedagogy in Higher Education Arts | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES820 | Advanced Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | RES801
• THE825 | Collaborative Arts Production Leadership | 4 | MGT720
• COM830 | Communication and Artistic Promotion | 3 | None
• ART835 | Advanced Philosophy of Aesthetics and Design | 3 | CHR725
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS850 | Dissertation Research and Fieldwork I | 3 | RES820
• THE855 | Advanced Studies in Performance History | 3 | None
• RES860 | Grant Writing and Institutional Resource Development | 4 | MGT720
• THE865 | Innovative Production Technologies in Theater | 3 | THE810
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS890 | Dissertation Finalization and Defense | 7 | DIS850
• THE895 | Professional Practice Seminar | 3 | None
• SOC898 | Social Change and Arts Advocacy | 3 | None
• CAP899 | Leadership in Non-Profit Organizations | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Performing Arts Director for Nonprofit Organizations
• Music Production Consultant for Faith-Based Media
• Theatrical Arts Administrator
• College-Level Arts Faculty
• Community Arts Programming Coordinator
• Director of Creative Ministries
• Sound and Stage Production Researcher

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 Production, Specialization in Theater
• 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 production 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