Admission Requirements
Admission and entry requirements
Applicants must hold a master's degree in psychology or a related field, with a minimum GPA of 3.5. Relevant clinical experience and letters of recommendation are also required to ensure preparedness for doctoral level training. Career Opportunities Licensed Counseling Psychologist University Professor or Lecturer Clinical Supervisor in a counseling agency Faith-based Organizational Consultant Mental Health Program Director Counseling Center Director Researcher in Counseling Psychology 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 Counseling Psychology 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 counseling 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 | 96 semester credit hours Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PHDCP 701 | Advanced Counseling Theory | 3 | None PHDCP 702 | Research Design I | 3 | None PHDCP 703 | Advanced Statistics I | 3 | None FBAT 710 | Faith-Based Advanced Counseling Integration (Minor) | 3 | None PHDCP 711 | Supervision Theory & Practice | 3 | None PHDCP 712 | Research Design II | 3 | Research Design I or equivalent course Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PHDCP 713 | Advanced Statistics II | 3 | Advanced Statistics I or equivalent coursework FBAT 720 | Faith-Based Clinical Supervision (Minor) | 3 | None PHDCP 721 | Psychometrics & Measurement | 3 | None PHDCP 722 | Qualitative Methods | 3 | None PHDCP 723 | Teaching in Higher Education | 3 | None FBAT 730 | Ethics & Values in Advanced Practice (Minor) | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PHDCP 731 | Advanced Multicultural Counseling & Social Justice | 3 | None PHDCP 732 | Program Evaluation & Outcomes | 3 | None PHDCP 733 | Advanced Group & Systems Interventions | 3 | None FBAT 740 | Spiritual Assessment for Advanced Clinicians (Minor) | 3 | None PHDCP 741 | Advanced Practicum: Supervision & Leadership | 3 | None PHDCP 742 | Advanced Practicum: Intervention | 3 | Completion of foundational courses in Counseling Psychology Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PHDCP 743 | Comprehensive Exam Seminar | 3 | Completion of initial PhD coursework in Counseling Psychology PHDCP 744 | Dissertation Seminar & Proposal Development | 3 | Completion of required coursework in Counseling Psychology PHDCP 751 | Advanced Clinical Consultation | 3 | Doctoral level standing in Counseling Psychology or related field PHDCP 752 | Grant Writing for Behavioral Research | 3 | None PHDCP 761 | Leadership in Behavioral Health Systems | 3 | None PHDCP 762 | Publication & Peer Review Seminar | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PHDCP 770 | Doctoral Internship/Residency | 3 | Completion of foundational coursework in counseling psychology and approval from faculty advisor DISS 801 | Dissertation Research I | 3 | None DISS 802 | Dissertation Research II | 3 | Completion of Dissertation Research I DISS 803 | Dissertation Research III | 3 | Completion of Dissertation Research II and prior research methods coursework DISS 804 | Dissertation Research IV | 3 | DISS 803 or equivalent dissertation research course DISS 805 | Dissertation Research V | 3 | Completion of Dissertation Research IV (DISS 804) or equivalent. Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites DISS 806 | Dissertation Research VI | 3 | Completion of prior dissertation research courses DISS 807 | Dissertation Defense Seminar | 3 | Completion of all required coursework and approval of dissertation proposal