Program Overview
Degree abbreviation
Ed.D. in Faith-Based Sociology, Specialization in Social Change Policy Reform
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
Three to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, academic progress, and completion of the doctoral project
Advanced faith-based sociology 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
120 semester credit hours
The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Sociology with a specialization in Social Change Policy Reform is a terminal research degree designed for scholars and practitioners seeking to address complex societal challenges through a lens of ethical stewardship. This program provides an intensive investigation into sociological theory, quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, and the structural dynamics of public policy development. Students explore how systemic societal shifts impact marginalized populations and develop strategies to advocate for human flourishing through community-engaged research.
Built upon a foundation of academic rigor and moral inquiry, the program encourages students to examine the intersection of institutional reform and the call to servant leadership. By integrating advanced sociological analysis with the principles of ethical governance, candidates learn to design initiatives that address systemic inequality. This rigorous doctoral path prepares graduates to serve as academic leaders, policy analysts, and organizational strategists committed to the common good and long-term societal transformation.
The Doctor of Education in Faith-Based Sociology, Specialization in Social Change Policy Reform is an applied professional doctorate emphasizing advanced faith-based sociology 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 120-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 sociology, 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.