Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Rehabilitation Science (Addiction Rehabilitation Research)

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Rehabilitation 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 rehabilitation 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 (PhD) in Faith-Based Rehabilitation Science is an advanced research-oriented program designed to equip scholars with the analytical tools necessary to address the complexities of addiction and recovery. The curriculum focuses on the intersection of social science research methods, public health policy, and the organizational dynamics of community-based support systems. Students engage in rigorous academic inquiry to advance the body of knowledge regarding sustainable intervention models.
• Built upon a foundation of ethical integrity and servant leadership, the program encourages students to examine the societal impact of addiction through a multi-disciplinary lens. Graduates are prepared to contribute to academic discourse, lead research initiatives, and provide evidence-informed oversight in diverse organizational settings. The program emphasizes the role of the scholar-practitioner as a steward of community resources and an agent of positive organizational change.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Rehabilitation Science is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based rehabilitation science theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based rehabilitation 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 Research I

• 5
• RES820
• HIS840
• History of Social Reform
• 3
• None
• EDU860
• Leadership in Professional Training
• 3
• None
• COU870
• Cross-Cultural Rehabilitation
• 3
• None
• CAP850 — Dissertation Research I: Initiation of primary research activities under faculty supervision. Students execute the methodological steps outlined in their approved dissertation proposals. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HIS840 — History of Social Reform: A study of the historical movements that have shaped community-based social welfare. Focuses on the role of civil society in rehabilitation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU860 — Leadership in Professional Training: Focuses on training personnel in clinical and community roles using adult learning principles. Emphasizes character development and ethical professional standards. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU870 — Cross-Cultural Rehabilitation: Analyzes the cultural competencies required for effective service delivery in diverse urban and rural communities. Addresses social justice and equity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research II

• 5
• CAP850
• BUS880
• Nonprofit Resource Management
• 3
• None
• PSY890
• Psychology of Holistic Well-being
• 3
• None
• RES895
• Advanced Statistical Review
• 3
• RES801
• CAP851 — Dissertation Research II: Continued execution of dissertation research and analysis. Regular progress reports and peer reviews are conducted to ensure methodological consistency. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS880 — Nonprofit Resource Management: Exploration of resource mobilization, grant acquisition, and strategic planning within nonprofit organizations. Focuses on stewardship and mission alignment. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY890 — Psychology of Holistic Well-being: This course explores the intersection of psychological health and psychosocial development within diverse populations. Students analyze evidence-based practices for fostering resilience and long-term recovery outcomes. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES895 — Advanced Statistical Review: Refinement of analytic techniques utilized in the dissertation. Students ensure statistical integrity in their final research documents. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Finalization and Defense

• 5
• CAP851
• COM890
• Professional Communication of Research
• 3
• None
• MGT895

Capstone Strategic Integration

• 3
• None
• RES899
• Interdisciplinary Synthesis in Rehabilitation Science
• 3
• None
• CAP852 — Dissertation Finalization and Defense: Completion of the final dissertation manuscript and defense before the doctoral committee. Focuses on synthesizing findings into scholarly recommendations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM890 — Professional Communication of Research: Translating research outcomes for various stakeholders including donors, staff, and the scientific community. Focuses on accessible, impact-driven communication. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT895 — Capstone Strategic Integration: Integration of research skills into organizational practice. Students develop a strategic outlook for future contributions to the field. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES899 — Interdisciplinary Synthesis in Rehabilitation Science: This seminar facilitates the integration of complex data sets and methodologies to address multifaceted social issues. Emphasis is placed on collaborative synthesis and applied research to solve systemic rehabilitation challenges. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating scholarly endeavor for the PhD program, representing the student's original contribution to the field of rehabilitation science. Spanning the final three semesters, the dissertation process requires candidates to identify a critical gap in research, propose a methodological approach, and execute a comprehensive study that adheres to the highest standards of academic integrity and institutional review.
• Integrating a faith-informed perspective, the dissertation requires students to synthesize professional research with an awareness of spiritual formation, ethical stewardship, and community impact. The final deliverable consists of a comprehensive manuscript that is defended before a faculty committee. This project demonstrates not only the student’s academic rigor and mastery of research methodology but also their capacity for character-driven leadership and commitment to the service of marginalized populations. The 15-credit requirement ensures adequate time for meticulous data analysis and the professional dissemination of findings.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Quantitative Research Design | 3 | None
• THE705 | Ethical Foundations of Service | 3 | None
• COU710 | Theories of Recovery Science | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES702 | Qualitative Research Methods | 3 | RES701
• SOC720 | Organizational Dynamics | 3 | None
• COU725 | Addiction Policy and Advocacy | 3 | None
• RES730 | Literature Review and Synthesis | 3 | RES701
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES801 | Advanced Data Analysis | 3 | RES701
• THE810 | Stewardship and Nonprofit Governance | 3 | None
• COU815 | Community Intervention Models | 3 | COU710
• RES820 | Proposal Writing for Research | 3 | RES730
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP850 | Dissertation Research I | 5 | RES820
• HIS840 | History of Social Reform | 3 | None
• EDU860 | Leadership in Professional Training | 3 | None
• COU870 | Cross-Cultural Rehabilitation | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP851 | Dissertation Research II | 5 | CAP850
• BUS880 | Nonprofit Resource Management | 3 | None
• PSY890 | Psychology of Holistic Well-being | 3 | None
• RES895 | Advanced Statistical Review | 3 | RES801
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP852 | Dissertation Finalization and Defense | 5 | CAP851
• COM890 | Professional Communication of Research | 3 | None
• MGT895 | Capstone Strategic Integration | 3 | None
• RES899 | Interdisciplinary Synthesis in Rehabilitation Science | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Research Scientist in Addiction Policy
• Nonprofit Organization Program Director
• Higher Education Faculty or Academic Researcher
• Social Science Data Analyst
• Community Outreach Administrator
• Faith-Based Organizational Consultant
• Policy Analyst for Health and Human Services

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 Rehabilitation 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 rehabilitation 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