Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Organizational Leadership Specialization in Education

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Organizational Leadership Specialization in Education

Total program length

96 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 education 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

0 credit hours

Program Details

• Total Credits: 96
• Duration: 3 years
• Degree Level: PhD

Dissertation research and defense

• 0 credit hours
• Total
• 96 semester credit hours
• The Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership with a minor in Education & Ministry Education equips students with advanced skills in leadership, organizational dynamics, and educational strategies tailored for faith-based and secular institutions. Throughout the program, students will engage in rigorous academic research, practical leadership training, and innovative pedagogical methods to prepare for influential roles in a variety of settings. Graduates will emerge as expert leaders capable of driving change, fostering collaboration, and developing educational programs that integrate principles of faith and ministry. The program’s interdisciplinary approach allows students to blend their expertise in organizational leadership with educational best practices, enhancing their career prospects in both academic and ministry contexts.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Organizational Leadership Specialization in Education is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based organizational leadership theory and education specialization, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based organizational leadership and education-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 96-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 & Proposal Development

• 3
• None
• PHDOL 971

Dissertation Research I

• 3
• None
• PHDOL 972

Dissertation Research II

• 3

Dissertation Research I (PHDOL 971)

• PHDOL 973

Dissertation Research III

• 3
• Completion of Dissertation Research I and II
• PHDEM 943 — Ministry Education, Leadership Formation, & Pedagogy: Ministry Education, Leadership Formation, & PedagogyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHDEM 944 — Faith-Based Educational Policy & Organizational Leadership: Faith-Based Educational Policy & Organizational LeadershipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHDOL 970 — Dissertation Seminar & Proposal Development: Dissertation Seminar & Proposal DevelopmentThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHDOL 971 — Dissertation Research I: Dissertation Research IThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHDOL 972 — Dissertation Research II: Dissertation Research IIThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHDOL 973 — Dissertation Research III: Dissertation Research IIIThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Writing & Analysis

• 3
• None
• PHDOL 975

Dissertation Defense & Scholarly Dissemination

• 3
• Completion of all coursework and dissertation proposal approval.
• PHDOL 974 — Dissertation Writing & Analysis: Dissertation Writing & AnalysisThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PHDOL 975 — Dissertation Defense & Scholarly Dissemination: Dissertation Defense & Scholarly DisseminationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation research and defense | 0 credit hours

• Total | 96 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• GLD 625 | Global Leadership and Cultural Management | 3 | Undergraduate degree
• PHDOL 901 | Advanced Leadership Theory and Organizational Transformation | 3 | Foundation
• PHDOL 902 | Organizational Behavior & Human Capital Strategy | 3 | None
• PHDOL 903 | Ethical Leadership & Decision-Making in Complex Organizations | 3 | None
• PHDOL 904 | Strategic Leadership & Organizational Change | 3 | None
• PHDOL 905 | Leadership in Global & Multicultural Contexts | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHDOL 906 | Governance, Policy, & Organizational Accountability | 3 | None
• PHDOL 907 | Systems Thinking & Organizational Dynamics | 3 | None
• PHDOL 908 | Executive Leadership & Board Relations | 3 | None
• PHDOL 909 | Conflict Resolution, Negotiation, & Power Dynamics | 3 | None
• PHDOL 920 | Doctoral Research Design & Methodology | 3 | None
• PHDOL 921 | Quantitative Research Methods for Leadership Studies | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHDOL 922 | Qualitative & Mixed-Methods Research | 3 | None
• PHDOL 923 | Advanced Statistical Analysis for Social Sciences | 3 | None
• PHDOL 924 | Program Evaluation & Evidence-Based Leadership | 3 | None
• PHDOL 925 | Scholarly Writing, Publication, & Peer Review | 3 | None
• PHDOL 930 | Leadership Development & Talent Management | 3 | None
• PHDOL 931 | Organizational Culture, Climate, & Identity | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHDOL 932 | Crisis Leadership & Organizational Resilience | 3 | None
• PHDOL 933 | Digital Transformation & Technology Leadership | 3 | None
• PHDOL 934 | Law, Ethics, & Risk Management in Organizations | 3 | None
• PHDEM 940 | Foundations of Education & Adult Learning Theory | 3 | None
• PHDEM 941 | Curriculum Design & Instructional Leadership | 3 | None
• PHDEM 942 | Educational Leadership & Institutional Administration | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHDEM 943 | Ministry Education, Leadership Formation, & Pedagogy | 3 | None
• PHDEM 944 | Faith-Based Educational Policy & Organizational Leadership | 3 | None
• PHDOL 970 | Dissertation Seminar & Proposal Development | 3 | None
• PHDOL 971 | Dissertation Research I | 3 | None
• PHDOL 972 | Dissertation Research II | 3 | Dissertation Research I (PHDOL 971)
• PHDOL 973 | Dissertation Research III | 3 | Completion of Dissertation Research I and II
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PHDOL 974 | Dissertation Writing & Analysis | 3 | None
• PHDOL 975 | Dissertation Defense & Scholarly Dissemination | 3 | Completion of all coursework and dissertation proposal approval.

Career Opportunities

• University Professor
• Organizational Development Consultant
• Director of Religious Education
• Nonprofit Leadership Executive
• Corporate Training Manager
• Educational Program Director
• Leadership Coach

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 Specialization in Education
• Total program length | 96 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 education 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 | 0 credit hours