Masters of Arts in Faith-Based Elementary Education Studies Specialization in Environmental/Outdoor Education

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

M.A. in Faith-Based Elementary Education Studies

Total program length

60 graduate semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Two academic years of full-time study

Advanced Faith-Based Elementary Education Studies 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 Elementary Education Studies with a specialization in Environmental/Outdoor Education offers a rigorous exploration of pedagogical theory integrated with the principle of biblical stewardship. This program is designed for educators who seek to leverage the natural world as a primary classroom, fostering academic inquiry, student engagement, and environmental literacy in young learners through evidence-based practices informed by a Christian worldview. Candidates engage with interdisciplinary frameworks that bridge developmental psychology, curriculum design, and outdoor experiential learning, all while emphasizing servant leadership as a foundational pedagogical model. By centering on the mandate to care for creation, the program encourages students to cultivate learning environments that promote physical health, intellectual curiosity, and a spiritual commitment to the responsible, long-term care of God’s world.

The 60-credit master's program provides advanced preparation in Faith-Based Elementary Education Studies theory, human behavior, ethics, assessment awareness, research, program evaluation, crisis response, leadership, referral, and faith-based elementary education studies-support services.

The graduate capstone may include: An applied research study; A community needs assessment; A faith-based elementary education studies-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 Proposal Development

• 4
• RES500
• SOC605 — Social Foundations of Education: Analyzes the sociological factors influencing schools and community partnerships. Students will evaluate how to create inclusive and accessible outdoor education programs for diverse populationsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• EDU615 — Differentiated Instruction in Nature: Explores strategies for modifying instructional delivery to meet the needs of all learners in a natural environment. Focuses on universal design for learning principlesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• ENV620 — Sustainable Systems and Educational Design: Investigates the role of schools in promoting environmental sustainability. Students will evaluate building design, resource management, and outdoor space utilization to support educational goalsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES600 — Capstone Proposal Development: Students will define a research problem, conduct a literature review, and design an methodology for their capstone project. Approval of the project proposal is requiredThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Capstone: Applied Research in Environmental Education

• 4
• RES600
• EDU650 — Community Engagement and Service Learning: Focuses on integrating service-learning projects into the elementary curriculum. Students will design programs that connect local community needs with outdoor educational opportunitiesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• EDU660 — Professionalism and Ethical Educational Leadership: Explores the ethical dimensions of educational leadership within the context of environmental responsibility. Students will synthesize personal and professional values to guide institutional practiceThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• EDU670 — Advanced Seminar in Outdoor Education: A capstone seminar facilitating discussion on complex challenges in the field. Students will prepare for their culminating project defense through peer review and feedbackThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• CAP699 — Capstone: Applied Research in Environmental Education: The final implementation and presentation of an original research project or program design. Students must demonstrate mastery of program objectives through formal presentationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Thesis or Capstone Project

• The capstone project serves as a cumulative demonstration of the candidate's professional and spiritual development. Students will design and implement an outdoor-based educational curriculum that explicitly integrates ethical reasoning and ecological stewardship. Through this project, candidates must articulate how their teaching philosophy aligns with biblical principles and demonstrate how their instructional strategies foster the spiritual formation of their students in a natural setting. This project requires a final presentation that reflects on the intersection of academic excellence, pedagogical innovation, and a commitment to serving the common good as stewards of the next generation.

Career Opportunities

• Nature-Based Elementary Curriculum Specialist
• Environmental Education Program Coordinator
• Outdoor Learning Center Director
• Community Outreach Coordinator for Environmental Agencies
• Experiential Learning Consultant
• Institutional Sustainability Coordinator
• Educational Program Developer for State Parks

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 Elementary Education Studies
• Total program length | 60 graduate semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Two academic years of full-time study
• Advanced Faith-Based Elementary Education Studies 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
• EDU501 | Advanced Foundations of Elementary Education | 4 | None
• PSY505 | Cognitive Development in Childhood | 4 | None
• ENV510 | Ecological Literacy and Environmental Science | 4 | None
• RES500 | Research Methods in Education | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• EDU520 | Curriculum Design for Outdoor Settings | 4 | EDU501
• EDU535 | Instructional Leadership and Stewardship | 4 | EDU501
• ENV540 | Field-Based Experiential Learning | 4 | ENV510
• EDU550 | Assessment of Student Achievement | 3 | RES500
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• SOC605 | Social Foundations of Education | 4 | EDU501
• EDU615 | Differentiated Instruction in Nature | 4 | PSY505
• ENV620 | Sustainable Systems and Educational Design | 4 | ENV510
• RES600 | Capstone Proposal Development | 4 | RES500
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• EDU650 | Community Engagement and Service Learning | 4 | SOC605
• EDU660 | Professionalism and Ethical Educational Leadership | 4 | EDU535
• EDU670 | Advanced Seminar in Outdoor Education | 4 | RES600
• CAP699 | Capstone: Applied Research in Environmental Education | 4 | RES600