Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Sustainable Development, Global Policy

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Sustainable Development, Global Policy

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 sustainable development and global policy 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 Sustainable Development and Global Policy is a rigorous research-oriented doctoral program designed to address the intersection of complex global challenges, public policy frameworks, and the ethical imperatives of sustainable development. This interdisciplinary degree prepares scholars to critically analyze environmental, economic, and social systems through a lens of stewardship and social responsibility, fostering a deep understanding of how policy interventions can promote holistic human flourishing on a global scale. Through a curriculum that emphasizes high-level quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, students investigate the efficacy of international development models and the role of global governance structures in navigating contemporary crises. Students are encouraged to develop nuanced policy solutions that account for historical, geopolitical, and ethical contexts, ensuring that professional practice is grounded in sound theory and practical application. By blending advanced academic inquiry with an commitment to ethical leadership, the program cultivates scholars capable of contributing original research to the discourse on international development and institutional policy reform.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Sustainable Development, Global Policy is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based sustainable development, global policy theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based sustainable development, global policy-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 Proposal Development

• 3
• RES810
• SOC840
• Sociology of Human Well-being and Development
• 3
• None
• POL821 — Economic Policy and Global Poverty: Analysis of macroeconomic policies designed to alleviate poverty. Focuses on the efficacy of international aid and local community empowermentThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SUS822 — Climate Policy and Global Stability: Investigates the intersection of climate change, migration, and political stability. Develops strategies for sustainable resilience in vulnerable populationsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES830 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Structured development of the dissertation research proposal. Includes literature review completion and methodology justificationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SOC840 — Sociology of Human Well-being and Development: This course examines the socio-economic and psychological frameworks that contribute to human well-being and societal development across diverse global contexts. Students will analyze data on life satisfaction, social capital, and holistic community progress models. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Seminar

• 3
• RES860
• RES860 — Directed Doctoral Research II: Continuation of research efforts. Emphasis on data analysis and preliminary drafting of dissertation chaptersThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• POL865 — Comparative Global Policy Studies: Comparative analysis of regional policy solutions across the globe. Identifies best practices in addressing systemic social challengesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SUS870 — Urbanization and Sustainable Infrastructure: Explores policy challenges related to rapid urbanization and the need for sustainable, equitable city infrastructureThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES880 — Dissertation Seminar: Peer review seminar for dissertation progress. Focuses on integrating research into a professional scholarly documentThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation serves as the culminating academic achievement for the PhD candidate, requiring the original contribution of new knowledge to the field of sustainable development and global policy. Students are expected to identify a specific, researchable problem that impacts international development, conduct extensive primary or secondary research, and synthesize their findings within a cohesive, scholarly document. The dissertation process encourages candidates to weave together professional policy analysis with a Christian worldview, specifically examining how principles of justice, stewardship, and servant leadership can inform the implementation of global policy solutions. The dissertation accounts for 12 credit hours, and progress is monitored through a series of research seminars and mentor-led committee reviews. Beyond demonstrating academic mastery, the dissertation must reflect the candidate’s maturation as a faith-informed scholar who prioritizes the common good and the dignity of the human person in all proposed interventions. The defense of the dissertation before a faculty committee represents the final step in confirming the candidate's professional readiness to lead and innovate within the global public policy landscape.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Advanced Quantitative Research Methods | 3 | None
• POL801 | Global Governance and Policy Theory | 3 | None
• SUS802 | Foundations of Sustainable Development | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES810 | Advanced Qualitative Research Methods | 3 | RES800
• POL811 | Ethics and Public Policy Analysis | 3 | None
• SUS812 | Global Resource Stewardship | 3 | SUS802
• MGT820 | Servant Leadership in Global Systems | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL821 | Economic Policy and Global Poverty | 4 | POL801
• SUS822 | Climate Policy and Global Stability | 4 | SUS812
• RES830 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | RES810
• SOC840 | Sociology of Human Well-being and Development | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• POL831 | Policy Advocacy and Communication | 4 | POL821
• SUS832 | Development Economics and Emerging Markets | 4 | POL821
• RES850 | Directed Doctoral Research I | 3 | RES830
• MGT855 | Non-Profit Strategy and Compliance | 3 | MGT820
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES860 | Directed Doctoral Research II | 4 | RES850
• POL865 | Comparative Global Policy Studies | 3 | POL831
• SUS870 | Urbanization and Sustainable Infrastructure | 3 | SUS832
• RES880 | Dissertation Seminar | 3 | RES860
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP900 | Doctoral Dissertation | 12 | RES880
• RES890 | Professional Scholarly Publication | 3 | RES880
• MGT895 | Advanced Seminar in Professional Ethics and Purpose | 3 | THE840
• POL899 | Policy Implementation Strategy | 3 | POL865

Career Opportunities

• International Policy Consultant
• Global Non-Governmental Organization Director
• University Researcher and Faculty Member
• Sustainable Development Project Manager
• Governmental Affairs Advisor
• Humanitarian Aid Strategy Director
• Global Public 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 | Ph.D. in Faith-Based Sustainable Development, Global Policy
• 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 sustainable development and global policy 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