Doctor of Philosophy in Faith-Based Law, Digital Technologies, Specialization in Management

Degree abbreviation

Ph.D. in Faith-Based Law, Digital Technologies, and Management

Total program length

120 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 Law and Public Policy

Total credits

120

Duration

3 years

• Analyze the complex interactions between digital technology, legal frameworks, and organizational management structures.
• Evaluate historical and contemporary legal theories in light of modern digital advancements.
• Design original research methodologies to address critical issues within the fields of legal management and technology policy.
• Integrate ethical principles and concepts of servant leadership into advanced organizational governance strategies.
• Demonstrate scholarly proficiency in the dissemination of research findings through peer-reviewed academic channels.
• Interpret the role of digital infrastructure in shaping institutional justice and societal stewardship.
• Course Outline
• Semester 1 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• RES700
• Research Design and Methodologies
• 4
• None
• LAW710
• Jurisprudence and Digital Infrastructure
• 4
• None
• MGT720
• Strategic Management in Complex Organizations
• 4
• None
• RES700 — Research Design and Methodologies: Exploration of qualitative and quantitative research designs. Focuses on the development of sound scholarly research questions and systematic data collectionThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• LAW710 — Jurisprudence and Digital Infrastructure: An examination of how traditional legal concepts interface with contemporary digital systems. Covers legal history in the context of technological transformationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• MGT720 — Strategic Management in Complex Organizations: Analysis of organizational theory and strategic decision-making in large-scale institutions. Focuses on leadership styles and operational oversightThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 2 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• RES710
• Advanced Data Analysis for Legal Research
• 3
• RES700
• LAW725
• Intellectual Property and Digital Rights
• 3
• LAW710
• MGT730
• Ethics in Organizational Governance
• 3
• MGT720
• TEC705
• Digital Transformation and Compliance
• 3
• None
• RES710 — Advanced Data Analysis for Legal Research: Technical instruction on statistical and analytical software used in large-scale legal research. Students practice interpreting complex data setsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• LAW725 — Intellectual Property and Digital Rights: A deep dive into the legal frameworks surrounding digital ownership and privacy. Evaluates rights-based claims within the digital sphereThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• MGT730 — Ethics in Organizational Governance: Focuses on moral philosophy in management, specifically stewardship and transparency. Examines how leadership character impacts long-term successThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• TEC705 — Digital Transformation and Compliance: An overview of how modern institutions adopt digital solutions while adhering to complex regulatory standards. Identifies risks and best practicesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 3 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• RES800
• Scholarly Writing and Publication
• 3
• RES710
• LAW810
• International Legal Standards in Digital Markets
• 3
• LAW725
• MGT820
• Servant Leadership in Technology Firms
• 3
• MGT730
• LAW750
• Principles of Regulatory Ethics and Jurisprudence
• 3
• None
• RES800 — Scholarly Writing and Publication: Designed to help students synthesize their research findings into publishable journal articles. Focuses on academic tone and peer review standardsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• LAW810 — International Legal Standards in Digital Markets: Covers cross-border legal challenges in the digital economy. Discusses global regulatory landscapes and cooperative legal frameworksThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• MGT820 — Servant Leadership in Technology Firms: Explores the application of servant leadership models within high-growth digital companies. Emphasizes community impact and organizational healthThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• LAW750 — Principles of Regulatory Ethics and Jurisprudence: This course examines the intersection of formal legal systems, professional codes of conduct, and normative frameworks governing institutional behavior. Students analyze the impact of public policy on operational compliance and ethical decision-making within diverse organizational settings. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 4 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• RES815
• Qualitative Research Inquiry
• 3
• RES800
• LAW830
• Emerging Technologies and Legal Precedent
• 3
• LAW710
• MGT840
• Strategic Stewardship of Digital Resources
• 3
• MGT720
• HIS705
• Institutional History and Legal Evolution
• 3
• None
• RES815 — Qualitative Research Inquiry: Deep examination of phenomenological and case study research methods. Focuses on gathering human-centric data within legal and management environmentsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• LAW830 — Emerging Technologies and Legal Precedent: Examines legal issues arising from artificial intelligence, blockchain, and biotechnology. Analyzes how the judiciary interprets novel tech-based evidenceThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• MGT840 — Strategic Stewardship of Digital Resources: Studies the management of technical capital through a stewardship lens. Analyzes resource allocation and sustainability in a digital landscapeThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• HIS705 — Institutional History and Legal Evolution: Analyzes how organizational history influences contemporary legal standing. Reviews the evolution of accountability in institutions over the last centuryThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 5 — Year 3
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• RES850
• Dissertation Seminar I: Proposal Development
• 4
• RES815
• LAW890
• Special Topics in Digital Regulation
• 3
• LAW830
• MGT890
• Crisis Management and Ethical Response
• 3
• MGT730
• CAP700
• Professional Integration Capstone
• 3
• All Core
• RES850 — Dissertation Seminar I: Proposal Development: Students develop their dissertation prospectus under advisor supervision. This includes defining scope, research questions, and methodologyThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• LAW890 — Special Topics in Digital Regulation: Current debate topics in digital law. Students present research on specific regulatory developments that impact global marketsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• MGT890 — Crisis Management and Ethical Response: Evaluates how organizations handle high-stakes crises. Focuses on ethical decision frameworks during organizational distressThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• CAP700 — Professional Integration Capstone: A final synthesis project that requires students to apply all program learnings to a real-world legal-digital challenge. Reflects faith-based professional identityThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 6 — Year 3
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• RES899
• Dissertation Defense
• 6
• RES850
• LAW895
• Advanced Seminars in Legal Leadership
• 3
• None
• RES880
• Independent Research Study
• 3
• RES800
• THE800
• Ethics and Professional Formation
• 3
• None
• RES899 — Dissertation Defense: The final stage of the doctoral program, involving the oral defense of the dissertation before a faculty panel. Culminates in final revisions and graduationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• LAW895 — Advanced Seminars in Legal Leadership: Executive-level overview of legal leadership roles. Students explore the intersection of law, management, and organizational missionThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES880 — Independent Research Study: An independent study course focusing on a specialized area of interest not covered in core curriculum. Requires faculty-approved research proposalThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• THE800 — Ethics and Professional Formation: A final reflection on the student's personal and professional identity. Focuses on life-long commitment to stewardship and institutional engagementThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..

Applicants must hold a master’s degree from an accredited institution in a relevant field such as law, business, management, or technology-related disciplines. A minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0 is required, along with the submission of a professional resume, three letters of recommendation, and a statement of research interest that aligns with the doctoral program's focus. Candidates must demonstrate academic readiness for independent research and a commitment to maintaining the university's standards for ethical inquiry and personal integrity. Dissertation Requirement The Dissertation is the culminating scholarly requirement of the PhD program, representing an original contribution to the body of knowledge in the intersection of law, digital technologies, and management. Students must identify a significant, researchable problem, conduct an exhaustive literature review, and implement a rigorous research design that results in a formal written document of publishable quality. This project serves as a demonstration of the candidate's mastery of the discipline and their ability to apply sophisticated research methodologies to real-world challenges. The dissertation process incorporates the University’s commitment to faith-based scholarship by requiring candidates to analyze how their research findings inform ethical stewardship, servant leadership, and social justice. Students are expected to demonstrate how their proposed solutions reflect an integration of technical competence and a commitment to the common good. Through the dissertation, scholars reflect on how their academic work fosters a character-driven approach to their profession, ensuring that technological progress and legal administration are grounded in moral and ethical imperatives.

• Graduation from the PhD program requires the completion of 120 credit hours, including the 35 transfer credits and 85 doctoral-level credits, with a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 in all coursework. Students must successfully defend their dissertation before a faculty committee and receive final approval of the manuscript. Academic achievement must be paired with evidence of character development; students are expected to engage in consistent spiritual formation activities, community service, and ethical reflection workshops throughout their tenure at the university.
• Candidates must demonstrate personal and professional maturity that aligns with the institution’s mission of service and integrity. Fulfillment of degree requirements acknowledges not only the student’s intellectual capacity but also their readiness to pursue vocations that balance scholarly achievement with compassionate leadership. Final clearance for graduation is contingent upon the recommendation of the doctoral committee, affirming that the student has met the requisite standards of scholarship, research excellence, and demonstrated ethical leadership.
• Career Opportunities
• Higher Education Professor or Researcher
• Chief Technology Policy Consultant
• Legal Systems Analyst
• Organizational Ethics Director
• Director of Strategic Digital Management
• Non-Profit Governance Executive
• Regulatory Compliance Strategist
• 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 Law, Digital Technologies, and Management
• Total program length | 120 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 law, digital technology, and 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 | 120 semester credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES700 | Research Design and Methodologies | 4 | None
• LAW710 | Jurisprudence and Digital Infrastructure | 4 | None
• MGT720 | Strategic Management in Complex Organizations | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES710 | Advanced Data Analysis for Legal Research | 3 | RES700
• LAW725 | Intellectual Property and Digital Rights | 3 | LAW710
• MGT730 | Ethics in Organizational Governance | 3 | MGT720
• TEC705 | Digital Transformation and Compliance | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES800 | Scholarly Writing and Publication | 3 | RES710
• LAW810 | International Legal Standards in Digital Markets | 3 | LAW725
• MGT820 | Servant Leadership in Technology Firms | 3 | MGT730
• LAW750 | Principles of Regulatory Ethics and Jurisprudence | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES815 | Qualitative Research Inquiry | 3 | RES800
• LAW830 | Emerging Technologies and Legal Precedent | 3 | LAW710
• MGT840 | Strategic Stewardship of Digital Resources | 3 | MGT720
• HIS705 | Institutional History and Legal Evolution | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES850 | Dissertation Seminar I: Proposal Development | 4 | RES815
• LAW890 | Special Topics in Digital Regulation | 3 | LAW830
• MGT890 | Crisis Management and Ethical Response | 3 | MGT730
• CAP700 | Professional Integration Capstone | 3 | All Core
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RES899 | Dissertation Defense | 6 | RES850
• LAW895 | Advanced Seminars in Legal Leadership | 3 | None
• RES880 | Independent Research Study | 3 | RES800
• THE800 | Ethics and Professional Formation | 3 | None