Master of Arts in Faith-Based Marketing, Advertising

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

M.A. in Faith-Based Marketing, Advertising

Total program length

60 graduate semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Two academic years of full-time study

Advanced Faith-Based Marketing, Advertising 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 Marketing and Advertising at HBIU is an advanced graduate degree designed to bridge the gap between contemporary promotional strategies and the mission-centric needs of ethical, value-driven organizations. Students will engage with a curriculum that balances technical proficiency in consumer behavior and digital communication with a rigorous exploration of stewardship and servant leadership within the marketplace. This program emphasizes the cultivation of high-level professional skills alongside the development of an integrity-based approach to organizational growth and community influence. Through an analytical lens, the curriculum challenges students to refine traditional marketing models to better serve the needs of organizations committed to positive social and spiritual impact. Graduates will be equipped to navigate complex global communication environments while maintaining a foundational commitment to ethical excellence and sustainable organizational development. The integration of academic rigor and moral discernment ensures that students are prepared for leadership roles that prioritize authentic engagement and community-oriented outcomes.

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

The graduate capstone may include: An applied research study; A community needs assessment; A faith-based marketing, advertising-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 Capstone Project serves as the culminating academic experience of the Master of Arts program, requiring students to demonstrate advanced proficiency in the integration of marketing theory, data analytics, and ethical leadership. Students will identify a significant organizational challenge within a non-profit or faith-based context and propose an evidence-based promotional strategy that addresses the issue while upholding principles of stewardship and service. This project necessitates the synthesis of the entire curriculum, requiring deep research, professional communication, and strategic planning.
• The final deliverable consists of a formal professional strategy document and an oral defense that highlights the student's ability to apply a Christian worldview to the complexities of modern advertising. By focusing on authentic engagement and moral accountability, the project demonstrates both high-level academic competence and the development of a character-centered professional identity. This project is worth 4 credit hours and is fundamental to verifying that graduates possess the maturity and technical skill to navigate their professional environments with both wisdom and professional excellence.

Career Opportunities

• Communications Director for non-profit organizations
• Marketing Strategist for religious or educational institutions
• Development and Fundraising Coordinator
• Digital Content Manager for value-driven social enterprises
• Public Relations Consultant for community-based agencies
• Strategic Planning Consultant for faith-informed NGOs

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 Marketing, Advertising
• Total program length | 60 graduate semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Two academic years of full-time study
• Advanced Faith-Based Marketing, Advertising 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
• BUS501 | Marketing Strategy and Theory | 4 | None
• COM505 | Digital Communication and Media Ethics | 3 | None
• MIN510 | Stewardship and Servant Leadership | 4 | None
• RES520 | Research Methods for Organizational Growth | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BUS530 | Consumer Behavior Analysis | 4 | BUS501
• COM540 | Brand Identity and Organizational Storytelling | 3 | None
• BUS550 | Advanced Data Analytics for Marketing | 4 | RES520
• THE515 | Integrative Worldview and Professional Practice | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BUS610 | Strategic Advertising Campaign Management | 4 | BUS501
• COM620 | Public Relations and Crisis Management | 3 | None
• BUS630 | Global Markets and Cultural Sensitivity | 4 | None
• MGT650 | Organizational Leadership and Culture | 3 | MIN510
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BUS660 | Integrated Marketing Communications Seminar | 4 | All Core Courses
• BUS670 | Legal and Ethical Issues in Advertising | 3 | None
• MGT680 | Non-Profit Sustainability and Development | 3 | None
• CAP699 | Graduate Capstone Project | 4 | All prior coursework