Ph.D. in Christian Counseling & Psychology Minor in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Program Overview

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Christian Counseling & Psychology

Total program length

19 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 Christian counseling & psychology theory and specialization

0 credit hours

Research methods, statistics, and scholarly inquiry

0 credit hours

Professional leadership and higher-education teaching

0 credit hours

Advanced electives and concentration courses

0 credit hours

Scholarly writing and publication

0 credit hours

Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy

0 credit hours

Program Details

• Total Credits: 19
• Duration: 3 years
• Degree Level: PhD

Dissertation research and defense

• 19 credit hours
• Total
• 19 semester credit hours
• The Ph.D. in Christian Counseling & Psychology with a Minor in Clinical Mental Health Counseling is designed to equip students with advanced knowledge and skills at the intersection of psychology, counseling, and faith-based practices. Throughout the four-year program, students will explore theological foundations, clinical practices, and psychological theories, preparing them to address complex mental health issues within a Christian framework. The curriculum emphasizes research methodologies, evidence-based practices, and ethical considerations, enabling graduates to make significant contributions to both academic and community settings. By integrating spiritual care with psychological support, students will be well-prepared for leadership roles in a variety of settings, emphasizing the value of holistic healing and professional integrity in their counseling practice.
• The Doctor of Philosophy in Christian Counseling & Psychology is a research-intensive doctoral program emphasizing advanced christian counseling & psychology theory, original research, quantitative and qualitative methodology, scholarly publication, higher-education teaching, ethical leadership, and the development and evaluation of christian counseling & psychology-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 19-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 Proposal Development

• 3
• None
• DISR 805
• Data Collection and Analysis
• 3
• None
• DISR 806

Dissertation Writing: Literature Review

• 3
• None
• DISR 803 — Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods: Quantitative and qualitative research methodologiesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DISR 804 — Dissertation Proposal Development: Development of the dissertation proposalThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DISR 805 — Data Collection and Analysis: Data collection and analysis for dissertationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DISR 806 — Dissertation Writing: Literature Review: Writing the dissertation literature reviewThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation Writing: Methodology

• 3
• None
• DISR 808

Dissertation Writing: Findings and Analysis

• 3
• None
• DISR 809

Dissertation Defense Preparation

• 3
• None
• DISR 810
• Final Dissertation Defense
• 3
• None
• DISR 807 — Dissertation Writing: Methodology: Writing the dissertation methodologyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DISR 808 — Dissertation Writing: Findings and Analysis: Writing dissertation findings and analysisThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DISR 809 — Dissertation Defense Preparation: Preparation for dissertation defenseThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DISR 810 — Final Dissertation Defense: Final defense of the dissertationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Dissertation research and defense | 19 credit hours

• Total | 19 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PH.D 701 | Crisis Counseling II | 3 | Crisis Counseling I or equivalent experience
• PH.D 702 | Applied Research Methods | 3 | None
• CLIN 703 | Ethical considerations in Counseling | 3 | None
• PH.D 704 | Solution-Focused Brief Therapy | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PH.D 705 | Policy and Governance | 3 | None
• PH.D 706 | Assessment & Diagnosis | 3 | Master's degree in Psychology or related field
• PH.D 707 | Treatment Planning | 3 | None
• PH.D 708 | Global Perspectives | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PH.D 709 | Dynamics of Counseling | 3 | None
• PH.D 710 | Counseling Paradigms | 3 | None
• DISR 801 | Research Methods | 3 | None
• DISR 802 | Theoretical Frameworks Counseling | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DISR 803 | Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods | 3 | None
• DISR 804 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | None
• DISR 805 | Data Collection and Analysis | 3 | None
• DISR 806 | Dissertation Writing: Literature Review | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DISR 807 | Dissertation Writing: Methodology | 3 | None
• DISR 808 | Dissertation Writing: Findings and Analysis | 3 | None
• DISR 809 | Dissertation Defense Preparation | 3 | None
• DISR 810 | Final Dissertation Defense | 3 | None

Career Opportunities

• Licensed Professional Counselor
• Clinical Psychologist
• University Faculty/Professor
• Mental Health Program Director
• Spiritual Care Provider
• Researcher in Christian Psychology
• Consultant for Faith-Based Organizations

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 Christian Counseling & Psychology
• Total program length | 19 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 Christian counseling & psychology theory and specialization | 0 credit hours
• Research methods, statistics, and scholarly inquiry | 0 credit hours
• Professional leadership and higher-education teaching | 0 credit hours
• Advanced electives and concentration courses | 0 credit hours
• Scholarly writing and publication | 0 credit hours
• Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy | 0 credit hours