Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Nonprofit Leadership, Specialization in Nonprofit Leadership

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Nonprofit Leadership

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 nonprofit leadership 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 Nonprofit Leadership is a rigorous, research-oriented doctoral program designed to equip scholars and executive leaders with the theoretical frameworks and analytical skills necessary to navigate the complexities of the nonprofit sector. Through an interdisciplinary curriculum that bridges organizational management, public policy, and leadership theory, students explore the systemic challenges facing modern non-profit institutions. The program emphasizes the integration of ethical stewardship and servant leadership within organizational governance, ensuring that graduates are prepared to address societal needs through informed and purposeful management practices.
• Students engage in advanced scholarly inquiry, utilizing quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to address contemporary issues in institutional sustainability, fundraising, and organizational development. The program maintains a strong emphasis on the intersection of values-based decision-making and operational excellence. By focusing on sustainable growth and mission-driven strategic planning, the curriculum prepares leaders who can effectively steer organizations toward long-term institutional health and positive community impact.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Nonprofit Leadership is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based nonprofit leadership theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based nonprofit leadership-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 I

• 4
• RES820
• MGT855
• Advanced Human Resource Management
• 3
• None
• BUS860
• Strategic Marketing for Nonprofits
• 3
• COM835
• RES865
• Program Evaluation and Metrics
• 3
• RES701
• CAP850 — Dissertation Research I: This stage involves active data collection, analysis, and early manuscript development under faculty mentorship. Students focus on rigorous application of their methodology. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT855 — Advanced Human Resource Management: This course analyzes human resource strategies for nonprofit environments, focusing on motivation, volunteer management, and labor law. Students design equitable workforce policies. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS860 — Strategic Marketing for Nonprofits: This course explores contemporary marketing technologies and digital presence to expand organizational visibility and impact. Students develop mission-aligned promotional campaigns. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES865 — Program Evaluation and Metrics: Students design comprehensive evaluation plans to measure the effectiveness and social impact of organizational programs. The focus is on outcome reporting and accountability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Defense and Final Writing

• 8
• CAP850
• MGT870
• Executive Leadership Residency
• 3
• None
• MGT875
• Civic Engagement and Public Policy
• 2
• CHR830
• BUS880
• Current Issues in Nonprofit Law
• 3
• MGT725
• CAP899 — Dissertation Defense and Final Writing: This final phase requires completion of the dissertation manuscript and the successful oral defense before the doctoral committee. It culminates the student's research journey and scholarly contribution. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT870 — Executive Leadership Residency: This residency focuses on the synthesis of executive management skills through reflective practice and peer consultation. Students articulate their leadership philosophy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT875 — Civic Engagement and Public Policy: This course examines the intersection of nonprofit organizations and the public sector, focusing on policy advocacy and collaborative community service models. Students analyze legislative environments and cross-sector partnerships essential for effective social impact. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS880 — Current Issues in Nonprofit Law: Students examine current legal regulations, compliance issues, and tax implications affecting nonprofit stability. The course addresses risk management and regulatory adherence. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation represents the culminating academic achievement of the PhD program, requiring 12 credit hours of original, scholarly research. Candidates are expected to identify a significant problem within the nonprofit sector, formulate a robust research design, and execute a study that contributes meaningful insights to the discipline. The dissertation process is monitored by a faculty committee and requires both a proposal defense and a final oral defense to ensure academic rigor and mastery of the subject matter.
• Substantively, the dissertation encourages students to synthesize their scholarly findings with an ethical, faith-based perspective. This integration involves critically examining how values-based leadership, biblical stewardship, and servant-oriented service models influence organizational sustainability and community outreach. The final deliverable demonstrates not only technical competence in research methodologies but also the student's growth as a reflective, faith-informed scholar dedicated to the betterment of their community.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Advanced Research Methodology | 3 | None
• MGT705 | Nonprofit Organizational Theory | 3 | None
• THE710 | Stewardship and Servant Leadership | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES715 | Qualitative Inquiry in Nonprofits | 4 | RES701
• BUS720 | Fiscal Strategy and Sustainability | 3 | None
• MGT725 | Strategic Governance and Board Relations | 3 | MGT705
• SOC730 | Community Engagement and Social Capital | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES801 | Quantitative Data Analysis | 4 | RES701
• MGT805 | Global Trends in Nonprofit Management | 3 | MGT705
• EDU810 | Leadership Development and Training | 3 | None
• BUS815 | Advanced Fundraising and Development | 3 | BUS720
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES820 | Doctoral Research Seminar | 4 | RES715, RES801
• MGT825 | Organizational Change and Innovation | 3 | MGT805
• CHR830 | Ethics and Values-Based Management | 3 | THE710
• COM835 | Strategic Communication and Public Advocacy | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP850 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES820
• MGT855 | Advanced Human Resource Management | 3 | None
• BUS860 | Strategic Marketing for Nonprofits | 3 | COM835
• RES865 | Program Evaluation and Metrics | 3 | RES701
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP899 | Dissertation Defense and Final Writing | 8 | CAP850
• MGT870 | Executive Leadership Residency | 3 | None
• MGT875 | Civic Engagement and Public Policy | 2 | CHR830
• BUS880 | Current Issues in Nonprofit Law | 3 | MGT725

Career Opportunities

• Executive Director of a Nonprofit Organization
• Chief Development Officer
• Nonprofit Management Consultant
• University Faculty in Nonprofit Leadership
• Director of Community Outreach and Engagement
• Director of Strategic Initiatives
• Policy Analyst for Faith-Based Organizations

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 Nonprofit Leadership
• 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 nonprofit leadership 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