Admission Requirements
Admission and entry requirements
Applicants must hold a relevant master's degree and submit a personal statement outlining their academic and professional goals. Additionally, recommendations and evidence of leadership experience in educational or ministry contexts are required. Career Opportunities University Professor Organizational Development Consultant Director of Religious Education Nonprofit Leadership Executive Corporate Training Manager Educational Program Director Leadership Coach 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 Faith-Based Organizational Leadership Specialization in Education Total program length | 96 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 faith-based organizational leadership theory and education specialization | 30 credit hours Research methods, statistics, and scholarly inquiry | 24 credit hours Professional leadership and higher-education teaching | 15 credit hours Advanced electives and concentration courses | 18 credit hours Scholarly writing and publication | 9 credit hours Comprehensive examination and doctoral candidacy | 0 credit hours Dissertation research and defense | 0 credit hours Total | 96 semester credit hours Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites GLD 625 | Global Leadership and Cultural Management | 3 | Undergraduate degree PHDOL 901 | Advanced Leadership Theory and Organizational Transformation | 3 | Foundation PHDOL 902 | Organizational Behavior & Human Capital Strategy | 3 | None PHDOL 903 | Ethical Leadership & Decision-Making in Complex Organizations | 3 | None PHDOL 904 | Strategic Leadership & Organizational Change | 3 | None PHDOL 905 | Leadership in Global & Multicultural Contexts | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PHDOL 906 | Governance, Policy, & Organizational Accountability | 3 | None PHDOL 907 | Systems Thinking & Organizational Dynamics | 3 | None PHDOL 908 | Executive Leadership & Board Relations | 3 | None PHDOL 909 | Conflict Resolution, Negotiation, & Power Dynamics | 3 | None PHDOL 920 | Doctoral Research Design & Methodology | 3 | None PHDOL 921 | Quantitative Research Methods for Leadership Studies | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PHDOL 922 | Qualitative & Mixed-Methods Research | 3 | None PHDOL 923 | Advanced Statistical Analysis for Social Sciences | 3 | None PHDOL 924 | Program Evaluation & Evidence-Based Leadership | 3 | None PHDOL 925 | Scholarly Writing, Publication, & Peer Review | 3 | None PHDOL 930 | Leadership Development & Talent Management | 3 | None PHDOL 931 | Organizational Culture, Climate, & Identity | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PHDOL 932 | Crisis Leadership & Organizational Resilience | 3 | None PHDOL 933 | Digital Transformation & Technology Leadership | 3 | None PHDOL 934 | Law, Ethics, & Risk Management in Organizations | 3 | None PHDEM 940 | Foundations of Education & Adult Learning Theory | 3 | None PHDEM 941 | Curriculum Design & Instructional Leadership | 3 | None PHDEM 942 | Educational Leadership & Institutional Administration | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PHDEM 943 | Ministry Education, Leadership Formation, & Pedagogy | 3 | None PHDEM 944 | Faith-Based Educational Policy & Organizational Leadership | 3 | None PHDOL 970 | Dissertation Seminar & Proposal Development | 3 | None PHDOL 971 | Dissertation Research I | 3 | None PHDOL 972 | Dissertation Research II | 3 | Dissertation Research I (PHDOL 971) PHDOL 973 | Dissertation Research III | 3 | Completion of Dissertation Research I and II Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PHDOL 974 | Dissertation Writing & Analysis | 3 | None PHDOL 975 | Dissertation Defense & Scholarly Dissemination | 3 | Completion of all coursework and dissertation proposal approval.