Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Music Therapy

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Music Therapy

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 Therapy 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 Therapy is an advanced research-oriented program designed for scholars and practitioners who seek to explore the intersection of therapeutic sonic practices and spiritual stewardship. This rigorous curriculum integrates clinical music theory with ethical inquiry and community service frameworks, preparing students for leadership roles in academic, research, and non-profit settings. Students will explore how auditory interventions contribute to the holistic development of individuals and the strengthening of community health through a lens of service and compassion.
• The program emphasizes the development of scholarly inquiry, high-level research methodologies, and the cultivation of an ethical foundation informed by faith-based values. By examining the efficacy of music in communal and individual contexts, candidates will foster the skills necessary to serve as leaders in organizations dedicated to the public good. The curriculum encourages intellectual maturity, critical thinking, and the application of servant leadership within the multidisciplinary landscape of social care and music arts.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Music Therapy is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based music therapy theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based music therapy-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 Seminar I

• 3
• RES710
• MUS780
• Community-Based Program Design
• 3
• None
• SOC790
• Sociology of Public Service
• 3
• None
• RES810
• Research Ethics and Compliance
• 4
• RES700
• RES800 — Dissertation Seminar I: Introduction to the dissertation process including topic selection and literature review. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MUS780 — Community-Based Program Design: Strategies for creating and sustaining service-oriented music initiatives. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC790 — Sociology of Public Service: An analysis of the role of institutions in community social welfare. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES810 — Research Ethics and Compliance: Addresses the legal and moral requirements for conducting institutional research. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Seminar II

• 3
• RES800
• MGT770
• Management of Non-Profit Music Organizations
• 3
• None
• COM740
• Strategic Communication for Non-Profits
• 3
• None
• MUS805
• Advanced Clinical Supervision
• 4
• MUS705
• RES820 — Dissertation Seminar II: Drafting of the dissertation chapters and preliminary data analysis. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT770 — Management of Non-Profit Music Organizations: Operational and financial stewardship for arts-based service organizations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM740 — Strategic Communication for Non-Profits: Techniques for effective outreach and mission advocacy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MUS805 — Advanced Clinical Supervision: Focuses on providing professional oversight in diverse service settings. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Capstone of Service Leadership

• 3
• None
• CAP860
• Professional Development for Academic Careers
• 2
• None
• RES850 — Doctoral Dissertation: Completion and defense of the original doctoral research project. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES830 — Scholarly Publishing and Dissemination: Prepares candidates to publish research findings in academic journals. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN840 — Capstone of Service Leadership: Integrative assessment of leadership competencies within the organizational mission. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP860 — Professional Development for Academic Careers: Final synthesis of professional skills and portfolio readiness for post-doctoral transition. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic experience for the PhD program, requiring students to execute an original research project that advances the intersection of music, therapeutic practice, and faith-based community leadership. The scope of this research must be broad enough to provide substantive contributions to the field while remaining focused on empirical or theoretical integrity. Deliverables include a formal proposal, a comprehensive literature review, a rigorous methodology section, and a full scholarly defense before a faculty committee.
• This project serves as a vehicle for integrating faith-based perspectives, challenging students to apply principles of ethical reasoning, biblical stewardship, and servant leadership to their specific research questions. The dissertation demonstrates both academic competence and the candidate’s development of a character-centered, faith-informed professional identity. Students are expected to articulate how their work supports the flourishing of vulnerable populations while maintaining professional excellence, thereby bridging the gap between rigorous scholarship and dedicated, ethical service.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Advanced Research Methodology | 4 | None
• THE710 | Foundations of Ethical Stewardship | 3 | None
• MUS705 | Music Therapy Theory and Practice | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES710 | Qualitative Research Design | 3 | RES700
• PSY720 | Psychological Perspectives in Music | 3 | None
• MIN730 | Servant Leadership in Community Care | 3 | None
• MUS715 | Advanced Clinical Improvisation | 4 | MUS705
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES720 | Quantitative Data Analysis | 3 | RES700
• MUS750 | Music in Cultural Contexts | 3 | None
• ETH740 | Applied Ethics in Social Services | 3 | THE710
• EDU760 | Pedagogical Leadership in Music Therapy | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Dissertation Seminar I | 3 | RES710
• MUS780 | Community-Based Program Design | 3 | None
• SOC790 | Sociology of Public Service | 3 | None
• RES810 | Research Ethics and Compliance | 4 | RES700
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES820 | Dissertation Seminar II | 3 | RES800
• MGT770 | Management of Non-Profit Music Organizations | 3 | None
• COM740 | Strategic Communication for Non-Profits | 3 | None
• MUS805 | Advanced Clinical Supervision | 4 | MUS705
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES850 | Doctoral Dissertation | 6 | RES820
• RES830 | Scholarly Publishing and Dissemination | 3 | None
• MIN840 | Capstone of Service Leadership | 3 | None
• CAP860 | Professional Development for Academic Careers | 2 | None

Career Opportunities

• Director of Music-Based Non-Profit Services
• University Faculty in Arts and Humanities
• Clinical Research Specialist for Social Services
• Community Outreach Program Administrator
• Faith-Based Organizational Development Consultant
• Director of Creative Arts Therapy Programming
• Policy Advisor for Faith-Inspired Health Initiatives

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 Therapy
• 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 Therapy 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