Admission Requirements
Admission and entry requirements
Applicants must hold a master's degree in counseling, psychology, or a related field, along with a minimum of 2 years of relevant professional experience. Strong letters of recommendation and a personal statement regarding the applicant's faith journey and career aspirations are also required. 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 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