Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Music Technology, Specialization in Worship Technology

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Music Technology

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 faith-based music technology and 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 Technology, Specialization in Worship Technology, is an advanced research and practitioner-oriented degree designed for professionals seeking to synthesize technical proficiency with ethical leadership in artistic environments. This program examines the intersection of digital audio production, system integration, and the acoustic design of performance spaces through the lens of stewardship and community engagement. By engaging with both cutting-edge technology and the historical foundations of the performing arts, students develop the analytical framework necessary to navigate the complexities of modern musical environments while maintaining a commitment to service-oriented excellence.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Music Technology is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based music technology 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 technology-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
• RES830
• TEC840 — Automated Control Systems: Training in programming control surfaces for complex lighting, audio, and visual integration. Students master automation for large-scale environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HIS850 — History of Liturgical Performance: A historical survey of how performance and technology have intersected in community worship throughout history. Analysis of historical trends and their modern relevance. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• LDR860 — Conflict Resolution and Collaborative Leadership: Advanced study of interpersonal dynamics in creative environments. Students develop skills for mediation and building consensus among stakeholders. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES870 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Guided development of the dissertation research framework, including literature review and methodology finalization. Students present their findings to faculty. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 6
• RES870
• COM800
• Communication for Organizational Leaders
• 3
• LDR860
• TEC880 — Emerging Technologies in Worship: Analyzing future trends in technology, including artificial intelligence and immersive audio, as applied to performance spaces. Future-proofing organizational media strategies. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS890 — Resource Management for Non-Profits: Applying principles of fiscal stewardship to capital campaigns and equipment upgrades. Strategic planning for long-term organizational sustainability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS900 — Dissertation Research I: Execution of research, primary data collection, and initial drafting of the dissertation chapters. Regular oversight by the faculty committee is required. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM800 — Communication for Organizational Leaders: Developing strategies for conveying technical and vision-based information to broad community audiences. Emphasizes clarity and empathy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research II

• 6
• DIS900
• DIS920
• Final Dissertation Defense
• 6
• DIS910
• TEC900
• Advanced Technical Auditing
• 4
• TEC840
• MIN950

Capstone Seminar in Servant Leadership

• 4
• LDR860
• DIS910 — Dissertation Research II: Final analysis of data, completion of the dissertation manuscript, and preparation for the oral defense. Students finalize their arguments and findings. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS920 — Final Dissertation Defense: The oral presentation and defense of the completed dissertation research before a qualified faculty committee. Demonstrates mastery of the research discipline. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• TEC900 — Advanced Technical Auditing: Students perform a comprehensive audit of a community space’s technological infrastructure and workflow, providing an improvement plan. Practical final field application. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN950 — Capstone Seminar in Servant Leadership: A final synthesis seminar reflecting on professional journey and ethical leadership frameworks within the context of servant leadership. Finalizing the student's scholarly identity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the crowning achievement of the doctoral program, requiring candidates to produce an original body of research that addresses a significant challenge within the field of faith-based music technology. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of the academic literature, methodological rigor, and the ability to synthesize technical innovation with principled leadership. This project involves a comprehensive investigation into how technology can be stewarded to enhance communal expression while adhering to the highest standards of professional ethics and aesthetic integrity.
• Over the course of the final year, students work under the guidance of a faculty committee to complete this 12-credit requirement. The final deliverable includes a written document of substantial length and a formal defense that articulates how the research project serves the broader mission of faith-informed artistic organizations. This process is designed to refine the candidate’s capacity for scholarly inquiry while fostering the spiritual maturity and character necessary for long-term influence in their respective professional contexts.

Career Opportunities

• Director of Creative Arts and Technology
• Chief Technical Officer for Non-Profit Arts Organizations
• Professor of Music Technology and Worship Arts
• Acoustic Systems Consultant for Communal Spaces
• Media Production Manager for Faith-Based Institutions
• Developer of Innovative Pedagogical Tools for Music Tech
• Regional Director of Production Services

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 Technology
• 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 faith-based music technology and 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
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methodology | 3 | None
• TEC710 | Systems Integration and Architecture | 3 | None
• MIN720 | Theology of Stewardship and Media | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• TEC730 | Advanced Acoustic Modeling | 4 | TEC710
• LDR740 | Servant Leadership in Creative Teams | 3 | None
• RES750 | Advanced Data Analysis | 3 | RES700
• TEC760 | Digital Signal Processing Theory | 4 | TEC710
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• TEC800 | Virtual Production and Streaming | 4 | TEC730
• ETH810 | Ethics and Digital Media | 3 | MIN720
• TEC820 | Advanced Network Audio Protocols | 4 | TEC760
• RES830 | Qualitative Research in the Arts | 3 | RES750
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• TEC840 | Automated Control Systems | 4 | TEC820
• HIS850 | History of Liturgical Performance | 3 | None
• LDR860 | Conflict Resolution and Collaborative Leadership | 3 | LDR740
• RES870 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | RES830
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• TEC880 | Emerging Technologies in Worship | 4 | TEC840
• BUS890 | Resource Management for Non-Profits | 3 | MIN720
• DIS900 | Dissertation Research I | 6 | RES870
• COM800 | Communication for Organizational Leaders | 3 | LDR860
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS910 | Dissertation Research II | 6 | DIS900
• DIS920 | Final Dissertation Defense | 6 | DIS910
• TEC900 | Advanced Technical Auditing | 4 | TEC840
• MIN950 | Capstone Seminar in Servant Leadership | 4 | LDR860