Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Political Science, Specialization in Governance Civic Engagement

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Political Science

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 political science 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 Political Science, Specialization in Governance and Civic Engagement, offers a rigorous, interdisciplinary approach to the study of political structures, public policy, and the intersection of ethical leadership within civic institutions. Designed for scholars and practitioners, the program emphasizes the application of rigorous quantitative and qualitative research methodologies to address complex social challenges. Students engage in critical analysis of the relationship between governance frameworks and the social fabric, ensuring that academic inquiry is grounded in professional standards of excellence and research integrity.
• At its core, this program fosters the development of intellectual leadership capable of navigating the nuances of contemporary political systems. By integrating advanced political theory with practical institutional engagement, the curriculum encourages students to examine the role of stewardship and ethical discernment in public life. The program prepares graduates to contribute to scholarly discourse and public policy development, providing a robust intellectual foundation for those committed to advancing the common good through evidence-based practice and reflective service.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Political Science is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based political science theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based political science-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 Defense

• 3
• RES811
• CAP813
• Integrative Capstone Seminar
• 3
• All Core Coursework
• POL810 — Seminar in Public Leadership: Critical examination of character-driven leadership in contemporary political environments. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES811 — Advanced Dissertation Research II: Continuing dissertation research with a focus on data synthesis and formal writing. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES812 — Dissertation Defense: Final review and defense of the original scholarly research project. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP813 — Integrative Capstone Seminar: Final synthesis of program objectives and preparation for professional practice. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic achievement of the PhD program, requiring students to conduct original, independent research that contributes new knowledge to the field of political science and civic engagement. Students are expected to identify a significant problem in governance, formulate a research question, and utilize advanced methodological approaches to generate a substantive, high-quality scholarly manuscript. This process is overseen by a faculty committee that mentors the student through the stages of proposal, research design, implementation, and final defense.
• Beyond technical academic competence, the dissertation must explicitly integrate the candidate's research findings with their personal commitment to ethical inquiry and servant leadership. Candidates are encouraged to frame their research through the lens of biblical stewardship and spiritual formation, demonstrating how their findings might impact policy and civic health. Through this synthesis, the dissertation stands as a testament to both the student’s intellectual rigor and their ability to apply faith-informed character to address complex societal needs. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL700 | Advanced Political Theory | 4 | None
• RES701 | Quantitative Research Methods | 4 | None
• ETH702 | Ethics and Governance | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL710 | Public Policy Analysis | 4 | POL700
• RES711 | Qualitative Research Methods | 4 | RES701
• SOC712 | Civil Society and Civic Engagement | 4 | None
• MGT713 | Nonprofit Leadership | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL720 | Global Governance and Human Rights | 4 | POL710
• RES721 | Advanced Statistical Modeling | 4 | RES711
• HIS722 | History of Political Thought | 4 | None
• POL723 | Social Equity and Public Policy | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL730 | Comparative Politics | 4 | POL720
• COM731 | Political Communication and Advocacy | 4 | None
• RES732 | Research Design Seminar | 4 | RES721
• EDU733 | Pedagogy for Political Science | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL800 | Advanced Institutional Analysis | 4 | POL730
• RES801 | Advanced Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES732
• SOC802 | Community Organizing and Development | 4 | None
• MGT803 | Strategic Planning in Public Service | 4 | MGT713
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL810 | Seminar in Public Leadership | 3 | POL800
• RES811 | Advanced Dissertation Research II | 3 | RES801
• RES812 | Dissertation Defense | 3 | RES811
• CAP813 | Integrative Capstone Seminar | 3 | All Core Coursework

Career Opportunities

• Public Policy Analyst
• Civic Engagement Consultant
• Nonprofit Executive Director
• Academic Faculty and Researcher
• Director of Community Development
• Public Administration Administrator
• Advocacy Strategist for Non-Governmental 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 Political Science
• 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 political science 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