Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Professional Doctorate (P.D.) Concentration: Ministry of Leadership, Research, Applied Professional Practice

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

P.D. in Faith-Based Professional Doctorate

Total program length

99 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 ministry of leadership and specialization courses

30 credit hours

Leadership, administration, and professional practice

21 credit hours

Research methods and program evaluation

18 credit hours

Professional application and doctoral residency

15 credit hours

Advanced electives or concentration courses

12 credit hours

Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy

6 credit hours

Applied doctoral project and defense

18 credit hours

Total

99 semester credit hours

The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Professional Doctorate (P.D.) with a concentration in Ministry of Leadership, Research, and Applied Professional Practice is designed to equip scholar-practitioners with advanced competencies to integrate a robust Christian worldview into organizational stewardship and innovation. This program emphasizes the application of rigorous research and theory within a framework of biblical ethics and spiritual formation, enabling students to address contemporary professional challenges through the lens of servant leadership. By blending academic scholarship with the practical demands of the field, the program prepares graduates to foster transformative organizational change, ensuring that every professional endeavor reflects a commitment to integrity, excellence, and the advancement of the common good as stewards of their respective vocations.

The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Professional Doctorate (P.D.) in Ministry of Leadership, Research, Applied Professional Practice is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced ministry of leadership, research, applied professional practice 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 99-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 ministry of leadership, research, applied professional practice-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: 99
• Duration: 3 years
• Degree Level: Doctorate

Dissertation Requirement

• The capstone requirement consists of a comprehensive Applied Professional Project that serves as the culmination of the student’s doctoral journey. Students must conceive, execute, and document a significant research-based project that addresses a complex problem within their professional context, applying the principles of ethical reasoning and biblical stewardship. This project requires students to demonstrate mastery in integrating theological inquiry with empirical research methodologies, ultimately providing evidence-based solutions that promote organizational health and align with the character and mission of a servant leader. The final submission is evaluated by a faculty committee to ensure that both technical rigor and alignment with Christian leadership values have been achieved.

Career Opportunities

• Chief Executive Officer (CEO)
• Organizational Development Consultant
• Higher Education Administrator
• Research Director
• Community Program Director
• Corporate Trainer
• Policy Analyst

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 | P.D. in Faith-Based Professional Doctorate
• Total program length | 99 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 ministry of leadership and specialization courses | 30 credit hours
• Leadership, administration, and professional practice | 21 credit hours
• Research methods and program evaluation | 18 credit hours
• Professional application and doctoral residency | 15 credit hours
• Advanced electives or concentration courses | 12 credit hours
• Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy | 6 credit hours
• Applied doctoral project and defense | 18 credit hours
• Total | 99 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PDT 701 | Doctoral Writing, Scholarly Thinking & APA Style | 3 | None
• PDT 702 | Research Design I: Foundations of Inquiry | 3 | None
• PDT 703 | Doctoral Statistics I: Regression & ANOVA | 3 | Basic understanding of statistics and research methods
• PDT 704 | Ethics, Law, and Professional Standards | 3 | None
• PDT 711 | Research Design II: Applied & Mixed Methods | 3 | Research Design I or equivalent experience
• PDT 712 | Doctoral Statistics II: Multivariate Analysis | 3 | Doctoral level understanding of basic statistical methods
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PDT 713 | Critical Reading: Theory, Evidence & Argument | 3 | None
• PDT 714 | Diversity, Equity, and Cultural Competence in Practice | 3 | None
• PDT 721 | Program Evaluation & Outcomes Measurement | 3 | None
• PDT 722 | Evidence-Based Practice & Implementation Science | 3 | None
• PDT 723 | Leadership Theory & Organizational Change | 3 | None
• PDT 724 | Applied Ethics: Risk Management & Decision-Making | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PDT 731 | Advanced Qualitative Methods: Coding, Trustworthiness, Analysis | 3 | None
• PDT 732 | Advanced Quantitative Methods: Modeling & Interpretation | 3 | Quantitative Methods or equivalent
• PDT 733 | Strategic Planning, Budgeting & Resource Management | 3 | None
• PDT 734 | Supervision, Coaching & Professional Development | 3 | None
• PDT 741 | Policy, Advocacy & Systems-Level Practice | 3 | None
• PDT 742 | Human Factors, Communication & Stakeholder Engagement | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PDT 743 | Project Management for Doctoral Practitioners | 3 | None
• PDT 744 | Practicum I: Advanced Professional Practice | 3 | None
• PDT 751 | Advanced Data Analysis Lab (SPSS/R/Python Options) | 3 | Basic knowledge of statistics and data analysis
• PDT 752 | Measurement, Assessment & Instrumentation | 3 | None
• PDT 753 | Innovation, Technology & Digital Transformation | 3 | None
• PDT 754 | Practicum II: Leadership-in-Action Residency | 3 | PDT 753 or equivalent
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PDT 761 | Seminar: Contemporary Issues in Professional Practice | 3 | None
• PDT 771 | Internship/Residency I: Applied Doctoral Practice | 3 | None
• CAP 801 | Doctoral Capstone I: Problem Identification & Proposal | 3 | None
• CAP 802 | IRB/Research Ethics & Compliance | 3 | None
• CAP 803 | Applied Literature Review & Conceptual Frameworks | 3 | None
• CAP 811 | Doctoral Capstone II: Field Implementation & Data Collection | 3 | Completion of Doctoral Capstone I and foundational research methods course
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP 812 | Advanced Program Evaluation: Cost, Impact & Sustainability | 3 | None
• CAP 813 | Writing for Publication & Conference Presentation | 3 | None
• CAP 821 | Doctoral Capstone III: Analysis, Results & Recommendations | 3 | Completion of Doctoral Capstone II: Research Design and Methodology