Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Organizational Leadership

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Organizational 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 organizational 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 Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership with a Minor in Christian Ethics prepares scholars to serve as transformative leaders within diverse organizational contexts, anchored in a profound commitment to servant leadership. Through rigorous advanced study and original research, students explore the intersection of theological inquiry, organizational dynamics, and ethical reasoning, enhancing their capacity to steward organizations with integrity, wisdom, and a clear Christian worldview. The program emphasizes the cultivation of strategic insight, spiritually informed decision-making, and effective communication, grounding professional practice in the principles of biblical stewardship. Graduates are equipped to address contemporary leadership challenges by applying robust ethical frameworks, fostering environments characterized by trust, collaborative spiritual formation, and a commitment to the common good.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Organizational Leadership is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based organizational leadership theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based organizational 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 Methods Seminar

• 3
• None
• OL 792

Dissertation Proposal Development

• 3
• None
• OL 793

Dissertation Proposal Defense Seminar

• 3
• None
• OL 794
• Doctoral Colloquium in Organizational Leadership
• 3
• None
• OL 795

Dissertation Research I

• 3
• None
• OL 719 — Doctoral Seminar: Leadership Research in Practice: Applied leadership research seminarThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• OL 790 — Comprehensive Examination Seminar: Preparation for comprehensive examinationsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• OL 791 — Dissertation Research Methods Seminar: Dissertation research methodologiesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• OL 792 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Developing the dissertation proposalThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• OL 793 — Dissertation Proposal Defense Seminar: Dissertation proposal defense preparationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• OL 794 — Doctoral Colloquium in Organizational Leadership: Doctoral colloquium and scholarshipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• OL 795 — Dissertation Research I: Dissertation research phase oneThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Research II

• 3
• None
• OL 797
• Advanced Dissertation Writing & Analysis
• 3
• None
• OL 798
• Leadership Scholarship & Publication Seminar
• 3
• None
• OL 799

Dissertation Research III

• 3
• None
• OL 800

Dissertation Completion & Defense

• 3
• None
• OL 796 — Dissertation Research II: Dissertation research phase twoThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• OL 797 — Advanced Dissertation Writing & Analysis: Advanced dissertation writing techniquesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• OL 798 — Leadership Scholarship & Publication Seminar: Academic publishing and scholarshipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• OL 799 — Dissertation Research III: Dissertation research phase threeThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• OL 800 — Dissertation Completion & Defense: Final dissertation completion and defenseThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Requirement

• The doctoral capstone serves as the culmination of the candidate’s academic and spiritual formation, requiring a dissertation that investigates a significant problem in leadership through the lens of a Christian worldview. Students are expected to demonstrate mastery of research methodology while integrating principles of servant leadership and ethical reasoning to address real-world organizational complexities. The completed project must exhibit original scholarly contribution, reflecting a dedication to stewardship and a commitment to advancing organizational health through the application of theological and ethical insights. Successful defense of this project serves as a testimony to the candidate’s ability to articulate, analyze, and apply professional knowledge within the framework of their faith and vocational calling.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ORGL 620 | Organizational Behavior and Culture | 3 | Foundation Courses SPCh 500, GEN 502, GRAD 501 and MADC 500
• CE 701 | Christian Ethics: Foundations & Moral Reasoning | 3 | None
• OL 701 | Foundations of Organizational Leadership | 3 | None
• CE 702 | Ethical Leadership: Christian Perspectives | 3 | None
• OL 702 | Organizational Theory & Systems | 3 | None
• CE 703 | Justice, Equity, & Christian Social Ethics | 3 | None
• OL 703 | Research Design in Leadership Studies | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CE 704 | Ethics in Organizations: Faith, Law, & Public Responsibility | 3 | None
• OL 704 | Quantitative Methods for Leadership Research | 3 | None
• CE 705 | Christian Ethics Seminar: Contemporary Issues & Case Analysis | 3 | None
• OL 705 | Organizational Behavior (Advanced) | 3 | None
• CE 706 | Applied Christian Ethics in Leadership Research | 3 | None
• OL 706 | Strategic Leadership & Decision-Making | 3 | None
• CE 707 | Ethics of Power, Authority, & Servant Leadership | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• OL 707 | Qualitative Methods for Organizational Research | 3 | None
• CE 708 | Christian Ethics, Social Responsibility, & Public Leadership | 3 | None
• OL 708 | Leadership Theory: Classical to Contemporary | 3 | None
• CE 709 | Integrative Seminar in Christian Ethics & Leadership | 3 | None
• OL 709 | Organizational Change & Transformation | 3 | None
• OL 710 | Program Evaluation & Evidence-Based Leadership | 3 | None
• OL 711 | Leadership in Complex & Adaptive Systems | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• OL 712 | Governance, Policy, & Organizational Accountability | 3 | None
• OL 713 | Advanced Data Analysis for Organizational Research | 3 | None
• OL 714 | Global & Cross-Cultural Organizational Leadership | 3 | None
• OL 715 | Talent Management, Coaching, & Leader Development | 3 | None
• OL 716 | Ethics, Compliance, & Risk Management (Secular) | 3 | None
• OL 717 | Organizational Culture, Power, & Influence | 3 | None
• OL 718 | Conflict Resolution, Negotiation, & Mediation | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• OL 719 | Doctoral Seminar: Leadership Research in Practice | 3 | None
• OL 790 | Comprehensive Examination Seminar | 3 | None
• OL 791 | Dissertation Research Methods Seminar | 3 | None
• OL 792 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | None
• OL 793 | Dissertation Proposal Defense Seminar | 3 | None
• OL 794 | Doctoral Colloquium in Organizational Leadership | 3 | None
• OL 795 | Dissertation Research I | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• OL 796 | Dissertation Research II | 3 | None
• OL 797 | Advanced Dissertation Writing & Analysis | 3 | None
• OL 798 | Leadership Scholarship & Publication Seminar | 3 | None
• OL 799 | Dissertation Research III | 3 | None
• OL 800 | Dissertation Completion & Defense | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Organizational Development Consultant
• Executive Leadership Coach
• Ethics Compliance Officer
• University Professor in Leadership Studies
• Healthcare Administrator
• Nonprofit Executive Director
• Corporate Social Responsibility Manager

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 Organizational 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 organizational 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