Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Professional Doctorate in Professional Counseling

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ed.D. in Faith-Based Professional Counseling

Total program length

48 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

Three to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, academic progress, and completion of the doctoral project

Advanced Faith-Based Professional Counseling and specialization courses

6 credit hours

Leadership, administration, and professional practice

6 credit hours

Research methods and program evaluation

6 credit hours

Professional application and doctoral residency

6 credit hours

Advanced electives or concentration courses

6 credit hours

Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy

6 credit hours

Applied doctoral project and defense

12 credit hours

Total

48 semester credit hours

The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Professional Counseling (DPC) prepares students to emerge as servant leaders within the mental health profession, grounded in a robust Christian worldview. Through rigorous academic inquiry and practical clinical application over four years, students engage in the integration of psychological science and biblical truth. This program fosters spiritual formation alongside advanced study of psychological theories, evidence-based clinical practices, and ethical reasoning. By emphasizing biblical stewardship, the curriculum equips graduates to assess, diagnose, and treat diverse populations with compassion and competence, serving as agents of healing in schools, hospitals, and private practice settings. The DPC program values research, critical thinking, and the pursuit of excellence, preparing scholars to advocate for the holistic well-being of individuals through the lens of faith-informed practice.

The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Professional Counseling is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based professional counseling knowledge, organizational leadership, ethical stewardship, program development, community-care systems, higher-education instruction, and evidence-informed professional practice.

Students may receive up to 40 semester credit hours of approved graduate or doctoral transfer credit. Accepted transfer credits are applied toward the 48-credit graduation requirement and may reduce the number of courses and the amount of time required to complete the degree. A student receiving the maximum transfer-credit award must complete at least 80 semester credit hours through the University.

The applied doctoral project must address a documented faith-based professional counseling-support, educational, organizational, or community-care need. The project must include scholarly research, an implementation model, measurable outcomes, ethical safeguards, an evaluation plan, 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.

Program Details

• Total Credits: 48
• Duration: 1 years
• Degree Level: Doctorate

Dissertation Requirement

• The doctoral capstone serves as the culmination of the candidate's academic and spiritual journey, requiring the completion of a significant research project or clinical inquiry. Students must demonstrate their ability to synthesize evidence-based clinical practices with a Christian ethical framework, ensuring their work reflects a commitment to biblical stewardship. This project must investigate a pertinent challenge in professional counseling, offering innovative solutions that honor the dignity of the human person. Through this rigorous endeavor, students manifest their capacity for scholarly inquiry, ethical leadership, and the application of faith-integrated principles in real-world professional environments.

Career Opportunities

• Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC)
• Clinical Supervisor in Mental Health Organizations
• Counseling Educator or Faculty Member
• Director of Counseling Services in Educational Institutions
• Private Practice Counselor
• Consultant for Mental Health Policies
• Researcher in Psychological Studies

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 | Ed.D. in Faith-Based Professional Counseling
• Total program length | 48 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 | Three to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, academic progress, and completion of the doctoral project
• Advanced Faith-Based Professional Counseling and specialization courses | 6 credit hours
• Leadership, administration, and professional practice | 6 credit hours
• Research methods and program evaluation | 6 credit hours
• Professional application and doctoral residency | 6 credit hours
• Advanced electives or concentration courses | 6 credit hours
• Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy | 6 credit hours
• Applied doctoral project and defense | 12 credit hours
• Total | 48 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DPC 7310 | Clinical Mental Health Counseling I: Understanding | 3 | None
• DPC 7311 | Clinical Mental Health Counseling: Common Factors | 3 | None
• DPC 7312 | Professional Counseling in Human Services | 3 | None
• DPC 7313 | Understanding Human Services | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DPC 7314 | Understanding Evidence-Based Practice | 3 | None
• DPC 7315 | Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT): Essential Theory | 3 | None
• DPC 7316 | CBT Practice Models | 3 | None
• DPC 7317 | Behavioral Therapy: Theory and Practice | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DPC 7318 | Understanding Empirically Supported Practice | 3 | None
• DPC 7319 | Pastoral Counseling I: Scripture-Informed Practice Modeling | 3 | None
• DPC 7320 | CBT Empirical Research Studies | 3 | None
• DPC 7330 | Cognitive Psychology and Counseling | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DPC 7340 | Pastoral Psychotherapy: An Integrationist Approach | 3 | None
• DPC 7350 | Medical Healthcare Chaplaincy with Mental Health Issues | 3 | None
• DPC 7360 | Advanced Diagnostics | 3 | None
• DPC 7370 | Practical Theology and Professional Counseling | 3 | None