Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based UX Design

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based UX Design

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 UX design 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 PhD in Faith-Based UX Design is a research-intensive doctoral program designed to bridge the gap between human-centered design methodology and the ethical, community-focused requirements of mission-driven organizations. Students engage with advanced theories of user experience, interactive systems, and human-computer interaction while grounding their research in the principles of stewardship, servant leadership, and social responsibility. This program prepares scholars to lead academic or professional initiatives that prioritize human dignity and ethical interaction within digital spaces.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based UX Design is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced faith-based UX design theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of faith-based UX design-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 Seminar

• 4
• RES730
• COM840
• Communicating Research for Stakeholders
• 3
• None
• UXD820 — Human-Centric Data Analytics: Explores how to translate complex data into meaningful insights for organizational decision-making. Focuses on data transparency and truthfulness. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• UXD825 — Social Impact Technology Projects: Engages students in a practical project designed to assist community organizations with digital infrastructure. Emphasizes stewardship of institutional resources. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES830 — Dissertation Seminar: Provides guidance in the conceptualization and initial drafting of the dissertation proposal. Focuses on research viability and theoretical contribution. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM840 — Communicating Research for Stakeholders: Trains scholars to explain technical findings to non-technical audiences, such as community board members or volunteers. Stresses clarity, honesty, and humility. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Completion and Defense

• 4
• RES870
• UXD885
• Global Issues in Digital Interaction
• 3
• None
• EDU890
• Pedagogy and Mentoring in Design
• 3
• None
• RES870 — Directed Dissertation Research II: Final phase of the research project, focusing on synthesis of findings, conclusions, and preparation of the written manuscript. Requires high standards of scholarly accuracy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP880 — Dissertation Completion and Defense: The final submission and oral defense of the doctoral dissertation before a review committee. Represents the culmination of original academic contributions. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• UXD885 — Global Issues in Digital Interaction: Examines the global impact of localized design decisions and the duty to care for the international community. Addresses cultural sensitivity in software development. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• EDU890 — Pedagogy and Mentoring in Design: Trains students in teaching methodologies to mentor others in design and research within educational settings. Promotes the transfer of knowledge and service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Dissertation Requirement

• The Dissertation is the culminating academic experience of the PhD in Faith-Based UX Design, representing an original contribution to the discipline through rigorous, independent research. Students are expected to identify a significant problem within human-computer interaction, develop a comprehensive research framework, and execute a study that results in actionable, evidence-based design interventions. This project is worth 12 credit hours and requires the student to defend their findings before a committee of faculty scholars.
• In addition to academic mastery, the dissertation serves as a vehicle for demonstrating the integration of faith-informed character development and ethical reasoning. Students must articulate how their design solutions honor the principles of servant leadership and stewardship, ensuring that the technology produced fosters community health rather than exploitation. Through this process, candidates demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning and a professional life defined by integrity and service to others.

Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours

• Total | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• UXD701 | Advanced Foundations of UX Research | 4 | None
• RES705 | Quantitative Inquiry in Human-Computer Interaction | 4 | None
• THE710 | Ethics and Stewardship in Technology | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• UXD720 | Psychology of Interactive Systems | 4 | None
• UXD725 | Inclusive Design Principles | 4 | None
• RES730 | Qualitative Research Methods | 4 | None
• MGT740 | Organizational Leadership in Design | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• UXD801 | Advanced Interface Prototyping | 4 | UXD701
• RES805 | Advanced Statistical Modeling | 4 | RES705
• UXD810 | Emerging Technologies and User Needs | 4 | None
• BUS815 | Professionalism and Career Development in Design | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• UXD820 | Human-Centric Data Analytics | 4 | RES805
• UXD825 | Social Impact Technology Projects | 4 | None
• RES830 | Dissertation Seminar | 4 | RES730
• COM840 | Communicating Research for Stakeholders | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES850 | Directed Dissertation Research I | 4 | RES830
• UXD855 | Advanced Design Ethics Seminar | 4 | THE710
• RES860 | Collaborative Research Lab | 4 | None
• MGT865 | Strategic Stewardship in the Digital Age | 4 | MGT740
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES870 | Directed Dissertation Research II | 4 | RES850
• CAP880 | Dissertation Completion and Defense | 4 | RES870
• UXD885 | Global Issues in Digital Interaction | 3 | None
• EDU890 | Pedagogy and Mentoring in Design | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Director of User Experience for Nonprofits
• Professor of Human-Computer Interaction
• Digital Strategy Consultant for Faith-Based Organizations
• Lead Researcher for Social Impact Technology
• Ethical Design Architect
• Director of Digital Innovation and Inclusion
• Academic Research Fellow

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 UX Design
• 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 UX design 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