Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Strategic Leadership

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Strategic Leadership

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 strategic leadership 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 in Faith-Based Strategic Leadership is an advanced research-oriented degree designed to cultivate scholars and practitioners who are equipped to navigate the complexities of modern organizational governance. The curriculum emphasizes the integration of rigorous academic inquiry with the principles of ethical stewardship, servant leadership, and social responsibility. Students explore theoretical frameworks in organizational behavior, policy analysis, and strategic development, positioning them to address systemic challenges within diverse organizational environments. Through a comprehensive approach, the program fosters a scholarly environment where intellectual curiosity meets the practical demands of organizational management. Faculty and students engage in a collaborative dialogue that balances sophisticated analytical methodologies with the nuances of value-based decision-making. This program aims to produce leaders who are not only theoretically sound but also committed to the long-term sustainability and ethical integrity of the organizations they serve.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Strategic Leadership is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based strategic leadership theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based strategic leadership-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 Prospectus Seminar

• 4
• RES805
• MGT850
• Strategic Communication and Influence
• 4
• None
• BUS860
• Innovation and Creative Problem Solving
• 4
• None
• EDU870
• Pedagogy and Training in Leadership
• 4
• None
• RES840 — Dissertation Prospectus Seminar: Students work closely with faculty to refine their dissertation research questions and methodological approach. The course results in a formal prospectus submission. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT850 — Strategic Communication and Influence: This course covers advanced communication strategies for leaders navigating crisis, public relations, and stakeholder engagement. It stresses integrity in messaging. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS860 — Innovation and Creative Problem Solving: Students investigate models for innovation within resource-constrained environments. The focus is on creative stewardship of organizational potential. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU870 — Pedagogy and Training in Leadership: This course focuses on teaching and training methods for those preparing to educate or mentor future leaders. It includes curriculum design and instructional delivery. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Research I

• 4
• RES840
• DIS901

Dissertation Research II

• 4
• DIS900
• DIS902

Dissertation Research III

• 4
• DIS901
• CAP880 — Advanced Leadership Seminar: This integrative seminar synthesizes previous coursework into a cohesive philosophy of strategic leadership. Students reflect on their professional trajectory and future impact. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS900 — Dissertation Research I: Students begin the formal data collection and writing phase of the dissertation. This stage involves iterative feedback and rigorous analysis. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS901 — Dissertation Research II: Continued development and writing of the dissertation project under faculty supervision. Focus remains on methodological consistency and synthesis. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DIS902 — Dissertation Research III: The final stage of the dissertation, involving the completion of chapters and preparation for the defense. This emphasizes academic clarity and scholarly rigor. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic experience of the PhD program, requiring students to conduct original, independent research that makes a substantive contribution to the field of strategic leadership. This capstone is designed to challenge students to synthesize their theoretical coursework with practical application, resulting in a project that addresses a critical need within the organizational or community sectors. The scope of the work must demonstrate high-level critical thinking, methodological precision, and the capacity for scholarly inquiry. Students are expected to frame their research questions within the context of ethical leadership and organizational stewardship, ensuring that the findings offer value to contemporary practitioners. The deliverable is a comprehensive dissertation document that undergoes a rigorous defense before a faculty committee. This project represents the pinnacle of the student’s academic and professional formation, evidencing an ability to apply a faith-informed perspective to complex, real-world problems. By weaving together empirical data and ethical reasoning, students demonstrate how their work advances the mission of their respective professional environments while maintaining a steadfast commitment to character-informed leadership.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES701 | Advanced Research Methodologies | 4 | None
• MGT705 | Theories of Organizational Strategy | 4 | None
• THE710 | Ethical Foundations of Leadership | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES720 | Quantitative Data Analysis | 4 | RES701
• MGT730 | Strategic Resource Management | 4 | None
• BUS740 | Policy Development and Analysis | 4 | None
• PSY750 | Psychology of Leadership and Change | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES805 | Qualitative Research and Ethnography | 4 | RES701
• MGT810 | Organizational Culture and Diversity | 4 | None
• BUS820 | Strategic Global Perspectives | 4 | None
• MGT830 | Principles of Ethical Leadership and Personal Integrity | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES840 | Dissertation Prospectus Seminar | 4 | RES805
• MGT850 | Strategic Communication and Influence | 4 | None
• BUS860 | Innovation and Creative Problem Solving | 4 | None
• EDU870 | Pedagogy and Training in Leadership | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP880 | Advanced Leadership Seminar | 4 | None
• DIS900 | Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES840
• DIS901 | Dissertation Research II | 4 | DIS900
• DIS902 | Dissertation Research III | 4 | DIS901
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DIS990 | Doctoral Dissertation Defense | 4 | DIS902
• MGT910 | Advanced Strategic Governance | 4 | None
• BUS920 | Professional Ethics and Law | 4 | None
• COM930 | Dissemination of Research | 4 | None

Career Opportunities

• Executive Director of Nonprofit Organizations
• Organizational Strategy Consultant
• Academic Faculty in Leadership Studies
• Chief Operations Officer in Faith-Based Institutions
• Director of Community Development and Social Policy
• Public Policy Analyst
• Research Scholar in Strategic Governance

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 Strategic Leadership
• 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 strategic leadership 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