Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Business Management

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Business Management

Total program length

114 semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Four to six academic years, depending on approved transfer credit, enrollment status, research progress, and dissertation completion

Academic unit

HBIU College of Business and Economics

Total credits

114

Duration

3 years

• Demonstrate advanced knowledge of business theories and practices relevant to both profit and non-profit sectors.
• Conduct and present high-quality original research in business administration.
• Analyze and synthesize complex problems using quantitative and qualitative data.
• Critically evaluate non-profit organizational strategies and practices.
• Design innovative solutions to enhance organizational effectiveness in non-profit management.
• Develop leadership skills necessary for managing diverse teams in multifaceted environments.
• Course Outline
• Semester 1 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• DBA 701
• Doctoral Seminar in Business Administration
• 3
• None
• PH.D 701
• Advanced Theories in the Field of Business Administration
• 3
• None
• DBA 702
• Quantitative Research Methods I
• 3
• None
• PH.D 702
• Applied Research Methods
• 3
• None
• DBA 703
• Organizational Theory and Behavior
• 3
• None
• PH.D 703
• Leadership and Ethics
• 3
• None
• DBA 704
• Managerial Economics for Doctoral Study
• 3
• None
• DBA 701 — Doctoral Seminar in Business Administration: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PH.D 701 — Advanced Theories in the Field of Business Administration: Advanced Theories in the Field (PHThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DBA 702 — Quantitative Research Methods I: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PH.D 702 — Applied Research Methods: Applied Research Methods (PHThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DBA 703 — Organizational Theory and Behavior: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PH.D 703 — Leadership and Ethics: The Leadership and Ethics course (PHThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DBA 704 — Managerial Economics for Doctoral Study: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 2 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• PH.D 704
• Strategic Decision Making
• 3
• None
• DBA 705
• Quantitative Research Methods II (Multivariate)
• 3
• None
• PH.D 705
• Policy and Governance
• 3
• None
• DBA 706
• Financial Reporting and Analysis for Researchers
• 3
• None
• PH.D 706
• Crisis and Risk Management
• 3
• None
• DBA 707
• Strategic Management Theory
• 3
• None
• DBA 708
• Scholarly Writing and Publication Seminar
• 3
• None
• PH.D 704 — Strategic Decision Making: The course "Strategic Decision Making" (PHThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DBA 705 — Quantitative Research Methods II (Multivariate): This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PH.D 705 — Policy and Governance: The Policy and Governance course (PHThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DBA 706 — Financial Reporting and Analysis for Researchers: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PH.D 706 — Crisis and Risk Management: Crisis and Risk Management (PHThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• DBA 707 — Strategic Management Theory: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 708 — Scholarly Writing and Publication Seminar: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 3 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• DBA 709
• Qualitative Research Methods (Case Study & Field)
• 3
• None
• DBA 710
• Research Design and Causal Inference
• 3
• None
• DBA 711
• Corporate Finance Theory
• 3
• None
• DBA 712
• Marketing Theory and Consumer/Market Research
• 3
• None
• DBA 713
• Operations and Supply Chain Strategy
• 3
• None
• DBA 714
• Business Analytics for Research (Programming & Data)
• 3
• None
• DBA 715
• Advanced Econometrics for Business Research
• 3
• None
• DBA 709 — Qualitative Research Methods (Case Study & Field): This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 710 — Research Design and Causal Inference: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 711 — Corporate Finance Theory: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 712 — Marketing Theory and Consumer/Market Research: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 713 — Operations and Supply Chain Strategy: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 714 — Business Analytics for Research (Programming & Data): This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 715 — Advanced Econometrics for Business Research: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 4 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• DBA 716
• Corporate Governance, Law, and Compliance
• 3
• None
• DBA 717
• Ethics in Research and Responsible Conduct
• 3
• None
• DBA 718
• Global Business and Institutional Environments
• 3
• None
• DBA 719
• Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Technology Strategy
• 3
• None
• DBA 720
• Teaching in Higher Education (Business Pedagogy)
• 3
• None
• DBA 721
• Doctoral Comprehensive Exam Preparation Seminar
• 3
• None
• DBA 722
• Advanced Seminar: Leadership and Change
• 3
• None
• DBA 716 — Corporate Governance, Law, and Compliance: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 717 — Ethics in Research and Responsible Conduct: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 718 — Global Business and Institutional Environments: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 719 — Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Technology Strategy: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 720 — Teaching in Higher Education (Business Pedagogy): This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 721 — Doctoral Comprehensive Exam Preparation Seminar: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 722 — Advanced Seminar: Leadership and Change: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 5 — Year 3
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• DBA 723
• Dissertation Proposal Development
• 3
• None
• DBA 724
• Dissertation Research I (Proposal Defense)
• 3
• None
• DBA 725
• Dissertation Research II (Data Collection)
• 3
• None
• DBA 726
• Dissertation Research III (Analysis & Drafting)
• 3
• None
• DBA 727
• Dissertation Research IV (Final Defense & Publication)
• 3
• None
• NPBM 801
• Nonprofit Management and Leadership (Minor)
• 3
• None
• NPBM 802
• Nonprofit Financial Management and Accountability (Minor)
• 3
• None
• DBA 723 — Dissertation Proposal Development: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 724 — Dissertation Research I (Proposal Defense): This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 725 — Dissertation Research II (Data Collection): This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 726 — Dissertation Research III (Analysis & Drafting): This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• DBA 727 — Dissertation Research IV (Final Defense & Publication): This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• NPBM 801 — Nonprofit Management and Leadership (Minor): This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• NPBM 802 — Nonprofit Financial Management and Accountability (Minor): This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 6 — Year 3
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• NPBM 803
• Fundraising, Philanthropy, and Grant Development (Minor)
• 3
• None
• NPBM 804
• Program Evaluation and Impact Measurement (Minor)
• 3
• None
• NPBM 805
• Nonprofit Strategy and Social Entrepreneurship (Minor)
• 3
• None
• NPBM 803 — Fundraising, Philanthropy, and Grant Development (Minor): This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• NPBM 804 — Program Evaluation and Impact Measurement (Minor): This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• NPBM 805 — Nonprofit Strategy and Social Entrepreneurship (Minor): This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Applicants must hold a master's degree in business or a related field, with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Additionally, candidates should submit letters of recommendation and a research proposal outlining their intended area of study. Dissertation Requirement The capstone requirement consists of a doctoral dissertation that functions as an act of spiritual formation and intellectual contribution. Students must conduct original research that investigates a contemporary issue in business or non-profit management, synthesizing advanced academic theory with Christian ethical principles. The dissertation process requires the student to demonstrate mastery of research methodologies while articulating how their findings reflect a commitment to the common good and the responsible stewardship of organizational resources. This final project serves as a culmination of the student's academic journey, validating their readiness to mentor others and lead with the servant-hearted focus essential to the faith-based mission of HBI University.

• To satisfy graduation requirements, students must complete a total of 60 credit hours, maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 throughout the duration of the program. Students are expected to complete all core coursework in business administration and the non-profit minor, demonstrating proficiency in both specialized academic subjects and the integration of faith-based management practices. Furthermore, students must participate in periodic spiritual formation assessments and successfully defend a doctoral dissertation. Completion of the program signifies that the candidate has attained the necessary academic rigor and internal character development to exemplify excellence and biblical integrity within their respective professional field.
• Career Opportunities
• University Professor
• Non-Profit Executive Director
• Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
• Business Consultant for Non-Profits
• Policy Analyst
• Research Analyst in Business and Non-Profit Sectors
• 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 Business Management
• Total program length | 114 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 Business Management theory and 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 | 6 credit hours
• Dissertation research and defense | 18 credit hours
• Total | 114 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DBA 701 | Doctoral Seminar in Business Administration | 3 | None
• PH.D 701 | Advanced Theories in the Field of Business Administration | 3 | None
• DBA 702 | Quantitative Research Methods I | 3 | None
• PH.D 702 | Applied Research Methods | 3 | None
• DBA 703 | Organizational Theory and Behavior | 3 | None
• PH.D 703 | Leadership and Ethics | 3 | None
• DBA 704 | Managerial Economics for Doctoral Study | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• PH.D 704 | Strategic Decision Making | 3 | None
• DBA 705 | Quantitative Research Methods II (Multivariate) | 3 | None
• PH.D 705 | Policy and Governance | 3 | None
• DBA 706 | Financial Reporting and Analysis for Researchers | 3 | None
• PH.D 706 | Crisis and Risk Management | 3 | None
• DBA 707 | Strategic Management Theory | 3 | None
• DBA 708 | Scholarly Writing and Publication Seminar | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DBA 709 | Qualitative Research Methods (Case Study & Field) | 3 | None
• DBA 710 | Research Design and Causal Inference | 3 | None
• DBA 711 | Corporate Finance Theory | 3 | None
• DBA 712 | Marketing Theory and Consumer/Market Research | 3 | None
• DBA 713 | Operations and Supply Chain Strategy | 3 | None
• DBA 714 | Business Analytics for Research (Programming & Data) | 3 | None
• DBA 715 | Advanced Econometrics for Business Research | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DBA 716 | Corporate Governance, Law, and Compliance | 3 | None
• DBA 717 | Ethics in Research and Responsible Conduct | 3 | None
• DBA 718 | Global Business and Institutional Environments | 3 | None
• DBA 719 | Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Technology Strategy | 3 | None
• DBA 720 | Teaching in Higher Education (Business Pedagogy) | 3 | None
• DBA 721 | Doctoral Comprehensive Exam Preparation Seminar | 3 | None
• DBA 722 | Advanced Seminar: Leadership and Change | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• DBA 723 | Dissertation Proposal Development | 3 | None
• DBA 724 | Dissertation Research I (Proposal Defense) | 3 | None
• DBA 725 | Dissertation Research II (Data Collection) | 3 | None
• DBA 726 | Dissertation Research III (Analysis & Drafting) | 3 | None
• DBA 727 | Dissertation Research IV (Final Defense & Publication) | 3 | None
• NPBM 801 | Nonprofit Management and Leadership (Minor) | 3 | None
• NPBM 802 | Nonprofit Financial Management and Accountability (Minor) | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• NPBM 803 | Fundraising, Philanthropy, and Grant Development (Minor) | 3 | None
• NPBM 804 | Program Evaluation and Impact Measurement (Minor) | 3 | None
• NPBM 805 | Nonprofit Strategy and Social Entrepreneurship (Minor) | 3 | None