Bachelor of Arts in Faith-Based Strategic Leadership, Specialization in Leadership Ethics

Degree abbreviation

B.A. in Faith-Based Strategic Leadership

Total program length

120 semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Four academic years

General education

36 credit hours

Professional application courses

15 credit hours

Capstone requirement

6 credit hours

Academic unit

HBIU College of Leadership

Total credits

120

Duration

4 years

• Demonstrate strategic thinking and planning skills in leadership contexts.
• Analyze ethical dilemmas and apply ethical decision-making frameworks.
• Integrate religious values and principles into leadership practices.
• Develop effective communication and interpersonal skills for leadership roles.
• Evaluate leadership theories and models in both secular and religious organizations.
• Conduct research relevant to leadership and ethics issues.
• Demonstrate cultural competence and inclusivity in leadership.
• Course Outline
• Semester 1 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• ENGL 101
• College Composition I
• 3
• None
• SLDR 101
• Introduction to Strategic Leadership
• 3
• Foundation
• ECON 102
• Macroeconomics
• 3
• None
• MATH 110
• College Algebra
• 3
• None
• SLDR 200
• Leadership Practicum I
• 3
• None
• ENGL 101 — College Composition I: Introduction to college-level writing and compositionThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 101 — Introduction to Strategic Leadership: Foundational concepts in strategic leadershipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• ECON 102 — Macroeconomics: Introduction to macroeconomic principlesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• MATH 110 — College Algebra: Fundamental concepts of algebra for college studentsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 200 — Leadership Practicum I: First leadership practicum experienceThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 2 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• ACCT 201
• Financial Accounting
• 3
• None
• SLDR 201
• Leadership Practicum II
• 3
• None
• STAT 201
• Statistics for Social & Behavioral Sciences
• 3
• None
• BIB 210
• Biblical Interpretation for Leaders
• 3
• None
• COMM 210
• Interpersonal Communication
• 3
• None
• ACCT 201 — Financial Accounting: Principles of financial accountingThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 201 — Leadership Practicum II: Second leadership practicum experienceThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• STAT 201 — Statistics for Social & Behavioral Sciences: Statistical methods for social and behavioral researchThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• BIB 210 — Biblical Interpretation for Leaders: Biblical interpretation applied to leadership contextsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• COMM 210 — Interpersonal Communication: Theories and practices of interpersonal communicationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 3 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• MGMT 210
• Principles of Management
• 3
• None
• RLE 210
• Religious Leadership & Ethics
• 3
• None
• POLS 220
• American Government
• 3
• None
• SLDR 220
• Leadership Theory & Practice
• 3
• None
• SOC 220
• Community Development and Social Responsibility
• 3
• None
• MGMT 210 — Principles of Management: Fundamental principles of organizational managementThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RLE 210 — Religious Leadership & Ethics: Religious leadership principles and ethical frameworksThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• POLS 220 — American Government: Structure and functions of American governmentThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 220 — Leadership Theory & Practice: Major leadership theories and their practical applicationsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SOC 220 — Community Development and Social Responsibility: Community Development and Social ResponsibilityThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 4 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• THEO 220
• Christian Ethics & Moral Decision-Making
• 3
• None
• MKT 230
• Principles of Marketing
• 3
• None
• FIN 240
• Corporate Finance
• 3
• None
• HRM 250
• Human Resource Management
• 3
• None
• SLDR 250
• Community Engagement Lab
• 3
• None
• THEO 220 — Christian Ethics & Moral Decision-Making: Christian ethical frameworks for moral decision-makingThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• MKT 230 — Principles of Marketing: Fundamental marketing concepts and strategiesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• FIN 240 — Corporate Finance: Financial management and corporate finance principlesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• HRM 250 — Human Resource Management: Principles and practices of human resource managementThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 250 — Community Engagement Lab: Practical community engagement and leadershipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 5 — Year 3
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• SLDR 260
• Professional Development Seminar
• 3
• None
• RES 301
• Research Methods
• 3
• None
• MGMT 310
• Organizational Behavior
• 3
• None
• SLDR 310
• Leading Teams & Collaboration
• 3
• None
• BUS 315
• Business Law & Ethics
• 3
• None
• SLDR 260 — Professional Development Seminar: Professional skills development for leadersThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• RES 301 — Research Methods: Research methodologies for social sciencesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• MGMT 310 — Organizational Behavior: Study of individual and group behavior in organizationsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 310 — Leading Teams & Collaboration: Theories and practices of team leadership and collaborationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• BUS 315 — Business Law & Ethics: Legal and ethical issues in businessThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 6 — Year 3
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• RLE 320
• Faith, Ethics, & Public Leadership
• 3
• None
• SLDR 320
• Strategic Communication & Influence
• 3
• None
• IT 330
• Information Systems for Leaders
• 3
• None
• SLDR 330
• Strategic Planning & Execution
• 3
• None
• SLDR 340
• Change Management
• 3
• None
• RLE 320 — Faith, Ethics, & Public Leadership: Integration of faith, ethics, and public leadershipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 320 — Strategic Communication & Influence: Communication strategies for organizational influenceThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• IT 330 — Information Systems for Leaders: Information systems for organizational leadershipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 330 — Strategic Planning & Execution: Strategic planning and implementation processesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 340 — Change Management: Theories and practices of organizational change managementThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 7 — Year 4
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• SLDR 350
• Analytics Lab for Leaders
• 3
• None
• SLDR 360
• Conflict Resolution & Negotiation
• 3
• None
• SLDR 370
• Leadership in Diverse Organizations
• 3
• None
• SLDR 410
• Organizational Strategy
• 3
• None
• SLDR 420
• Project Management for Leaders
• 3
• None
• SLDR 350 — Analytics Lab for Leaders: Data analytics for leadership decision-makingThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 360 — Conflict Resolution & Negotiation: Conflict resolution strategies and negotiation techniquesThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 370 — Leadership in Diverse Organizations: Leading diverse and inclusive organizationsThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 410 — Organizational Strategy: Advanced organizational strategy formulation and implementationThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 420 — Project Management for Leaders: Project management principles for organizational leadersThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• Semester 8 — Year 4
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• SLDR 430
• Policy, Governance, & Nonprofit Leadership
• 3
• None
• SLDR 450
• Internship in Strategic Leadership
• 3
• None
• SLDR 490
• Senior Capstone in Strategic Leadership
• 3
• None
• SLDR 499
• Capstone Implementation Lab
• 3
• None
• CHL 610
• Christian Leadership and Spiritual Formation
• 3
• None
• SLDR 430 — Policy, Governance, & Nonprofit Leadership: Policy development, governance, and nonprofit leadershipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 450 — Internship in Strategic Leadership: Internship experience in strategic leadershipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 490 — Senior Capstone in Strategic Leadership: Culminating capstone project in strategic leadershipThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• SLDR 499 — Capstone Implementation Lab: Implementation and presentation of capstone projectThis course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions..
• CHL 610 — Christian Leadership and Spiritual Formation: This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent, with a minimum GPA requirement set by the institution. Submission of standardized test scores and letters of recommendation may also be necessary, along with a personal statement outlining the applicant's interest in leadership and ethics. Senior Capstone Project The senior capstone project serves as the culminating demonstration of the student’s integration of their academic training and spiritual formation. Students are required to design and execute a comprehensive leadership project that addresses a systemic organizational challenge through the lens of biblical stewardship and ethical discernment. This project demands that the student articulate how their proposed solutions reflect the virtues of servant leadership, justifying their strategic decisions by analyzing them against both secular leadership theory and Christian ethical frameworks. The final submission must include a reflective analysis on how the student’s ongoing spiritual growth has influenced their personal leadership philosophy and their commitment to modeling integrity within their professional sphere.

• To earn the Bachelor of Arts in Faith-Based Strategic Leadership, students must complete a minimum of 120 credit hours, maintaining a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 or higher. The curriculum requires the successful completion of all core leadership courses, the specialization in Leadership Ethics, and the mandatory capstone project. In addition to academic performance, students are encouraged to engage in ongoing spiritual formation activities, which are integral to the program's holistic educational model. All candidates must fulfill their institutional core requirements and receive faculty approval confirming they have demonstrated a firm grasp of both professional leadership competencies and the ability to apply ethical reasoning through a consistently Christian worldview.
• Career Opportunities
• Nonprofit Organization Leader
• Corporate Leadership Consultant
• Ethics Compliance Officer
• Religious Community Administrator
• Strategic Planning Manager
• Leadership Development Trainer
• Faith-based Program Coordinator
• 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 | B.A. in Faith-Based Strategic Leadership
• Total program length | 120 semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Four academic years
• General education | 36 credit hours
• Faith-based strategic leadership core | 63 credit hours
• Professional application courses | 15 credit hours
• Capstone requirement | 6 credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ENGL 101 | College Composition I | 3 | None
• SLDR 101 | Introduction to Strategic Leadership | 3 | Foundation
• ECON 102 | Macroeconomics | 3 | None
• MATH 110 | College Algebra | 3 | None
• SLDR 200 | Leadership Practicum I | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ACCT 201 | Financial Accounting | 3 | None
• SLDR 201 | Leadership Practicum II | 3 | None
• STAT 201 | Statistics for Social & Behavioral Sciences | 3 | None
• BIB 210 | Biblical Interpretation for Leaders | 3 | None
• COMM 210 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• MGMT 210 | Principles of Management | 3 | None
• RLE 210 | Religious Leadership & Ethics | 3 | None
• POLS 220 | American Government | 3 | None
• SLDR 220 | Leadership Theory & Practice | 3 | None
• SOC 220 | Community Development and Social Responsibility | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• THEO 220 | Christian Ethics & Moral Decision-Making | 3 | None
• MKT 230 | Principles of Marketing | 3 | None
• FIN 240 | Corporate Finance | 3 | None
• HRM 250 | Human Resource Management | 3 | None
• SLDR 250 | Community Engagement Lab | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• SLDR 260 | Professional Development Seminar | 3 | None
• RES 301 | Research Methods | 3 | None
• MGMT 310 | Organizational Behavior | 3 | None
• SLDR 310 | Leading Teams & Collaboration | 3 | None
• BUS 315 | Business Law & Ethics | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• RLE 320 | Faith, Ethics, & Public Leadership | 3 | None
• SLDR 320 | Strategic Communication & Influence | 3 | None
• IT 330 | Information Systems for Leaders | 3 | None
• SLDR 330 | Strategic Planning & Execution | 3 | None
• SLDR 340 | Change Management | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• SLDR 350 | Analytics Lab for Leaders | 3 | None
• SLDR 360 | Conflict Resolution & Negotiation | 3 | None
• SLDR 370 | Leadership in Diverse Organizations | 3 | None
• SLDR 410 | Organizational Strategy | 3 | None
• SLDR 420 | Project Management for Leaders | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• SLDR 430 | Policy, Governance, & Nonprofit Leadership | 3 | None
• SLDR 450 | Internship in Strategic Leadership | 3 | None
• SLDR 490 | Senior Capstone in Strategic Leadership | 3 | None
• SLDR 499 | Capstone Implementation Lab | 3 | None
• CHL 610 | Christian Leadership and Spiritual Formation | 3 | None