Master of Arts in Faith-Based Leadership

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

M.A. in Faith-Based Leadership

Total program length

60 graduate semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Two academic years of full-time study

Advanced faith-based leadership core

27 credit hours

Research, assessment, and program evaluation

12 credit hours

Professional application and field experience

12 credit hours

Graduate capstone requirement

9 credit hours

The Master of Arts in Faith-Based Leadership is an advanced professional program designed for individuals seeking to integrate rigorous academic inquiry with the principles of servant leadership and ethical stewardship. The curriculum provides a comprehensive examination of organizational behavior, leadership theory, and strategic management within the context of mission-driven institutions. Students explore the intersection of personal character development and organizational influence, preparing them for complex roles in diverse professional environments. By blending theoretical foundations with practical application, the program equips leaders to navigate the challenges of modern governance and administrative oversight while maintaining institutional integrity. The academic environment fosters critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving, ensuring graduates are well-prepared to lead with wisdom and transparency in a global society. This program serves as a bridge between high-level management expertise and the practical needs of community-oriented organizations.

The 60-credit master's program provides advanced preparation in faith-based leadership theory, human behavior, ethics, assessment awareness, research, program evaluation, crisis response, leadership, referral, and faith-based leadership-support services.

The graduate capstone may include: An applied research study; A community needs assessment; A faith-based leadership-support program; A professional training manual; A program-development and evaluation project; Another faculty-approved scholarly project.

The program is designed for completion within two academic years by students maintaining the University's prescribed full-time course load. Part-time students may require additional time.

Florida establishes a minimum of 24 semester credits beyond the bachelor's degree for a master's program. The University's 60-credit requirement is an institutional academic standard that exceeds that minimum.

Program Details

• Total Credits: 60
• Duration: 2 years
• Degree Level: Master

Thesis or Capstone Project

• The Master of Arts in Faith-Based Leadership concludes with a 6-credit Applied Leadership Capstone Project, which serves as the definitive demonstration of academic and professional proficiency. Students are tasked with identifying a substantive operational challenge within a mission-driven organization and designing a research-based, sustainable intervention. This project requires the synthesis of coursework regarding organizational behavior, ethical stewardship, and strategic management, ensuring that students can bridge the gap between theory and practice within a complex community context. The scope includes a formal proposal, a comprehensive literature review, and the implementation of a strategic initiative, culminating in a scholarly presentation before an academic committee. Through this process, students must demonstrate not only technical competence but also the integration of servant leadership principles and ethical reasoning. The capstone serves as a platform to articulate a personal philosophy of leadership that reflects spiritual formation, a commitment to justice, and a dedication to the long-term stewardship of organizational resources. By executing this project, students demonstrate their readiness to lead with professional excellence and character-driven maturity.

Career Opportunities

• Nonprofit Executive Director
• Director of Community Development
• Strategic Operations Manager
• Faith-Based Institutional Consultant
• Organizational Program Coordinator
• Human Resources Director for Mission-Driven Entities
• Nonprofit Development Officer

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 | M.A. in Faith-Based Leadership
• Total program length | 60 graduate semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Two academic years of full-time study
• Advanced faith-based leadership core | 27 credit hours
• Research, assessment, and program evaluation | 12 credit hours
• Professional application and field experience | 12 credit hours
• Graduate capstone requirement | 9 credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MGT501 | Foundations of Organizational Leadership | 4 | None
• RES505 | Research Methods for Organizational Analysis | 4 | None
• ETH510 | Ethical Stewardship and Governance | 4 | None
• MIN515 | Principles of Servant Leadership | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BUS520 | Strategic Financial Management | 4 | MGT501
• COM525 | Strategic Communication and Engagement | 4 | None
• PSY530 | Conflict Resolution and Organizational Culture | 4 | None
• SOC535 | Community Dynamics and Development | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MGT601 | Advanced Strategic Planning | 4 | MGT501, BUS520
• ETH605 | Professional Ethics and Organizational Integrity | 4 | None
• EDU610 | Training and Program Development | 4 | None
• BUS615 | Nonprofit Legal Compliance | 3 | ETH510
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP650 | Applied Leadership Capstone Project | 6 | All Core Courses
• MGT620 | Global Trends in Organizational Leadership | 3 | None
• RES625 | Advanced Data Analysis | 3 | RES505
• THE630 | Leadership and Social Justice | 3 | None