Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Renewable Energy, Specialization in Sustainable Business Management

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Renewable Energy, Specialization in Sustainable Business Management

Total program length

90 semester credit hours

Maximum approved transfer credit

Up to 40 semester credit hours

Minimum credits completed through the University after maximum transfer

50 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 renewable energy theory and sustainable business 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 Description

The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Renewable Energy is a terminal, research-intensive doctoral program designed to prepare scholars, scientists, engineers, policy leaders, and senior executives to advance innovation, research, and leadership in renewable and sustainable energy systems. The program integrates advanced scientific inquiry, systems engineering, energy economics, and policy analysis with applied research methodologies that address global energy challenges.

The program is structured to meet and exceed U.S. regional and national accreditation expectations for doctoral education, emphasizing original research, scholarly publication, comprehensive examinations, and a defended dissertation. It is benchmarked against doctoral standards found at leading research universities in the United States and is suitable for candidates pursuing careers in academia, national laboratories, government agencies, international development organizations, energy utilities, and advanced industry research and development (R&D) roles.

The minor in Sustainable Business Management in the Faith Community complements the technical rigor of the Ph.D. by equipping students with advanced leadership, financial, and organizational management competencies rooted in ethical stewardship and sustainability principles. This minor prepares graduates to lead faith-based institutions, nonprofit organizations, social enterprises, and mission-driven energy initiatives that operate at the intersection of renewable energy, economic sustainability, and community impact.

Program Purpose and Goals

The Ph.D. in Renewable Energy is designed to:

Develop high-level expertise in renewable energy systems, grid integration, energy storage, and emerging technologies

Prepare students to conduct independent, original, and publishable doctoral research

Advance leadership capacity in energy policy, economics, and infrastructure planning

Equip graduates to contribute to evidence-based decision-making at national and international levels

Integrate ethical, sustainable, and values-driven leadership through the faith-based business minor

Academic Focus Areas

Doctoral students engage in advanced study and research across key domains, including:

Advanced renewable energy systems and energy conversion technologies

Solar, wind, hydrogen, bioenergy, and emerging clean energy systems

Smart grids, microgrids, and energy informatics

Energy storage technologies and advanced materials

Energy systems modeling, optimization, and data analytics

Energy economics, finance, and infrastructure investment

Energy policy, regulation, and global governance

Research design, advanced statistics, and scholarly publication

Program Details

• Total Credits: 90
• Duration: 3 years
• Degree Level: PhD

Minor Focus: Sustainable Business Management in the Faith Community

• The doctoral minor is intentionally designed to extend technical expertise into organizational leadership and sustainable management, particularly within faith-based and mission-driven contexts. The minor emphasizes:
• Ethical stewardship and sustainable resource management
• Faith-based leadership and governance models
• Social entrepreneurship and sustainable enterprise development
• Financial management and fundraising for faith-based organizations
• Community-centered sustainability initiatives and advocacy
• This minor allows doctoral graduates to translate advanced energy research into scalable, community-anchored solutions that align with faith-driven missions and social responsibility.
• Research and Dissertation Requirement
• A central component of the program is the doctoral dissertation, which represents a significant, original contribution to the field of renewable energy. Students are required to:
• Successfully complete all doctoral coursework
• Pass a comprehensive doctoral examination (written and oral)
• Develop and defend a dissertation proposal
• Conduct independent research using rigorous qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methodologies
• Produce a dissertation suitable for publication in peer-reviewed academic journals
• Successfully defend the dissertation before a doctoral committee
• The dissertation process is structured across multiple semesters to ensure depth, quality, and scholarly rigor consistent with U.S. doctoral standards.
• Career Outcomes
• Graduates of the Ph.D. in Renewable Energy are prepared for senior-level roles, including but not limited to:
• University faculty and academic researchers
• Principal investigators and scientists in national laboratories
• Energy policy analysts and advisors
• Senior engineers and systems architects
• Renewable energy consultants and strategists
• Directors of sustainability and energy innovation
• Leaders of faith-based sustainability initiatives and nonprofit organizations
• Founders and executives of mission-driven energy enterprises
• Program Distinctives
• Research-focused Ph.D. aligned with U.S. accreditation standards
• Strong integration of technology, policy, and economics
• Faith-based business minor that enhances leadership and ethical stewardship

Dissertation research and defense

• 18 credit hours
• Total
• 120 semester credit hours
• The Ph.D. in Renewable Energy with a Minor in Sustainable Business Management in the Faith Community is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills at the intersection of renewable energy technologies and sustainable business practices within faith-based organizations. The curriculum covers innovative energy solutions, sustainability principles, and business management strategies that accentuate ethical considerations and community impact. Students will engage in rigorous research, collaborative projects, and practical applications, fostering a comprehensive understanding of how renewable energy can be harnessed in diverse contexts. Career preparation focuses on leadership roles in academia, industry, non-profits, and policy-making, emphasizing the integration of faith, sustainability, and innovation. This program directly contributes to the promotion of ecological stewardship and sustainable practices in line with faith community values.
• Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Renewable Energy

Dissertation-driven curriculum suitable for academic and professional advancement

• Global applicability with community-centered impact
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Renewable Energy, Specialization in Sustainable Business Management is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based renewable energy and sustainable business management theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based renewable energy and sustainable business management-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 90-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 50 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: Proposal Development

• 3
• None
• SBFC 901
• Foundations of Faith-Based Business Stewardship
• 3
• None
• PRE 902

Dissertation Research II: Literature Review & Methodology

• 3

Dissertation Research I (PRE 901)

• PRE 903
• Advanced Research Colloquium
• 3
• None
• PRE 834 — Comprehensive Examination Seminar: Preparation seminar for doctoral comprehensive examinations in renewable energyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PRE 901 — Dissertation Research I: Proposal Development: First phase of doctoral dissertation: research proposal development and approvalThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SBFC 901 — Foundations of Faith-Based Business Stewardship: Biblical and theological foundations for business stewardship in faith communitiesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PRE 902 — Dissertation Research II: Literature Review & Methodology: Comprehensive literature review and methodology development for dissertationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PRE 903 — Advanced Research Colloquium: Advanced research presentation and scholarly discussion forumThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Research III: Data Collection & Analysis

• 4

Dissertation Research I and II or equivalent

• PRE 906

Dissertation Research IV: Findings & Interpretation

• 4
• Completion of Dissertation Research III
• PRE 907

Dissertation Research V: Writing & Defense Preparation

• 4
• Completion of previous dissertation courses in the program
• PRE 908

Dissertation Defense & Publication Seminar

• 3
• Completion of dissertation proposal and all coursework requirements for the PhD program
• PRE 904 — Academic Writing & Scholarly Publication: Advanced academic writing and preparation for scholarly publicationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PRE 905 — Dissertation Research III: Data Collection & Analysis: Primary research data collection and advanced analytical methodsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PRE 906 — Dissertation Research IV: Findings & Interpretation: Analysis, interpretation, and synthesis of dissertation research findingsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PRE 907 — Dissertation Research V: Writing & Defense Preparation: Dissertation writing, revision, and preparation for doctoral defenseThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• PRE 908 — Dissertation Defense & Publication Seminar: Final dissertation defense and preparation for publication and disseminationThis 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
• PRE 801 | Advanced Renewable Energy Systems Theory | 3 | Master's degree in a related field or equivalent experience
• PRE 802 | Advanced Energy Mathematics & Numerical Methods | 3 | A solid foundation in calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations is recommended.
• PRE 803 | Doctoral Research Design & Methodology | 3 | None
• PRE 804 | Energy Systems Modeling & Simulation | 3 | Basic understanding of energy principles and modeling techniques
• PRE 811 | Advanced Thermodynamics & Energy Conversion | 3 | Completed coursework in basic thermodynamics and fluid mechanics, or equivalent knowledge
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PRE 812 | Power Systems & Grid Integration for Renewables | 3 | None
• PRE 813 | Energy Storage, Batteries & Advanced Materials | 3 | None
• PRE 814 | Doctoral Seminar in Renewable Energy Research | 3 | None
• PRE 821 | Solar Energy Systems: Advanced Design & Optimization | 3 | None
• PRE 822 | Wind Energy Systems: Aerodynamics & Structural Modeling | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PRE 823 | Hydrogen, Fuel Cells & Emerging Energy Technologies | 3 | None
• PRE 824 | Advanced Statistics & Data Analytics for Energy Research | 3 | A foundation in basic statistics and data analytics, preferably from previous coursework or professional experience.
• PRE 831 | Smart Grids, Microgrids & Energy Informatics | 3 | None
• PRE 832 | Energy Policy, Regulation & Global Energy Governance | 3 | None
• PRE 833 | Energy Economics, Finance & Infrastructure Investment | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PRE 834 | Comprehensive Examination Seminar | 3 | None
• PRE 901 | Dissertation Research I: Proposal Development | 3 | None
• SBFC 901 | Foundations of Faith-Based Business Stewardship | 3 | None
• PRE 902 | Dissertation Research II: Literature Review & Methodology | 3 | Dissertation Research I (PRE 901)
• PRE 903 | Advanced Research Colloquium | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PRE 904 | Academic Writing & Scholarly Publication | 3 | None
• PRE 905 | Dissertation Research III: Data Collection & Analysis | 4 | Dissertation Research I and II or equivalent
• PRE 906 | Dissertation Research IV: Findings & Interpretation | 4 | Completion of Dissertation Research III
• PRE 907 | Dissertation Research V: Writing & Defense Preparation | 4 | Completion of previous dissertation courses in the program
• PRE 908 | Dissertation Defense & Publication Seminar | 3 | Completion of dissertation proposal and all coursework requirements for the PhD program
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• SBFC 911 | Sustainable Leadership & Ethics in Faith Communities | 3 | None
• SBFC 921 | Faith-Based Social Entrepreneurship & Sustainable Enterprise | 3 | None
• SBFC 931 | Financial Management and Resource Development in Faith-Based Organizations | 3 | None
• SBFC 941 | Faith-Based Sustainability Leadership Practicum | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Renewable Energy Policy Analyst
• Sustainability Consultant for Faith-Based Organizations
• Academic Researcher in Renewable Energy
• Project Manager for Renewable Energy Initiatives
• Nonprofit Director for Environmental Sustainability Programs
• Corporate Social Responsibility Manager in Energy Sector
• Energy Efficiency Advisor

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 Renewable Energy, Specialization in Sustainable Business Management
• Total program length | 90 semester credit hours
• Maximum approved transfer credit | Up to 40 semester credit hours
• Minimum credits completed through the University after maximum transfer | 50 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 renewable energy theory and sustainable business 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