Master of Science in Faith-Based Addiction Counseling

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

M.S. in Faith-Based Addiction Counseling

Total program length

60 graduate semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Two academic years of full-time study

Advanced Faith-Based Addiction Counseling 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 Science in Faith-Based Addiction Counseling at HBI University provides a rigorous academic framework for students seeking to integrate advanced counseling theories with ethical stewardship and servant leadership. This program is designed to develop compassionate practitioners who possess the analytical tools to address behavioral health challenges within diverse community settings. Through a curriculum rooted in social science and humanities, students examine the intersection of human behavior and moral responsibility in a professional context. By fostering critical thinking and evidence-based practice, the program equips graduates to serve as catalysts for restoration and social transformation. Students are challenged to synthesize contemporary therapeutic frameworks with a profound commitment to ethical integrity and service, ensuring they are prepared for the complexities of modern social support systems. The program emphasizes the cultivation of empathy, professional boundaries, and a holistic approach to human wellness that respects the dignity of every individual served.

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

The graduate capstone may include: An applied research study; A community needs assessment; A faith-based addiction counseling-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

Capstone Project

• 4
• RES620
• COU650
• Community Health Program Design
• 4
• COU601
• COU660
• Trauma-Informed Care Principles
• 3
• COU501
• HUM670
• Cultural Humility and Communication
• 3
• SOC540
• CAP699 — Capstone Project: Culminating scholarly project demonstrating academic and faith-informed professional integration. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU650 — Community Health Program Design: Designing proactive initiatives for behavioral health advocacy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COU660 — Trauma-Informed Care Principles: Understanding the impact of trauma on human development and recovery. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HUM670 — Cultural Humility and Communication: Developing effective communication strategies for diverse community engagement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Thesis or Capstone Project

• The Master’s Capstone Project represents the final synthesis of the student's academic and spiritual formation, requiring the integration of theoretical knowledge with practical community engagement. Students must design a comprehensive research project or programmatic intervention that addresses a specific behavioral health challenge, demonstrating academic rigor, methodological precision, and a robust commitment to service-oriented solutions. This project serves as a scholarly demonstration of the student’s ability to conduct independent inquiry while upholding the highest standards of professional ethics and biblical stewardship.
• Beyond technical proficiency, the capstone requires an evaluative essay that reflects on the student’s spiritual formation and their application of a Christian worldview throughout their research. This component challenges students to articulate how their professional identity aligns with servant leadership and their responsibility to the community. Successful completion requires both the defense of the written work and a final presentation that illustrates how the project fosters transformative change and fulfills the mission of a faith-based organization.

Career Opportunities

• Community Outreach Coordinator
• Nonprofit Program Manager
• Behavioral Health Case Manager
• Social Service Administrator
• Restorative Justice Liaison
• Faith-Based Advocacy Specialist
• Recovery Center Consultant

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.S. in Faith-Based Addiction Counseling
• Total program length | 60 graduate semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Two academic years of full-time study
• Advanced Faith-Based Addiction Counseling 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
• COU501 | Foundations of Addiction Studies | 4 | None
• COU505 | Ethics in Professional Practice | 4 | None
• RES510 | Research Methods in Social Science | 3 | None
• COU520 | Professional Ethics and Clinical Decision-Making | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COU515 | Counseling Theory and Application | 4 | COU501
• COU525 | Group Dynamics in Recovery | 4 | COU501
• MGT530 | Nonprofit Administration and Stewardship | 3 | None
• SOC540 | Sociology of Vulnerable Populations | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• COU601 | Crisis Intervention and Management | 4 | COU515
• COU610 | Family Systems and Recovery | 4 | COU515
• RES620 | Advanced Data Analysis | 3 | RES510
• MIN630 | Servant Leadership in Practice | 3 | THE520
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP699 | Capstone Project | 4 | RES620
• COU650 | Community Health Program Design | 4 | COU601
• COU660 | Trauma-Informed Care Principles | 3 | COU501
• HUM670 | Cultural Humility and Communication | 3 | SOC540