Admission Requirements
Admission and entry requirements
Applicants must hold a Juris Doctor (JD) or equivalent law degree from an accredited institution, along with a strong academic record. Additionally, candidates should submit a research proposal outlining their intended area of study within the program's scope. Career Opportunities Legal Consultant for Tech Companies Policy Advisor in Government Agencies Researcher in Academic Institutions Compliance Officer for Faith-Based Organizations Attorney specializing in Digital Law Ethics Compliance Analyst in Corporations Advocate for Technology Policy Reforms 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 Total program length | 117 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 and digital technologies 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 | 117 semester credit hours Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PDLD 701 | Foundations of Law, Technology & Society | 3 | None PH.D 701 | Advanced Theories in the Field | 3 | Completion of foundational courses in law and technology, or equivalent experience PDLD 702 | Legal Research, Writing & Scholarly Publication | 3 | None PH.D 702 | Applied Research Methods | 3 | None PDLD 703 | Quantitative Methods for Legal & Policy Research | 3 | None PH.D 703 | Leadership and Ethics | 3 | None PDLD 704 | Qualitative Methods for Law, Governance & Technology | 3 | None PH.D 704 | Strategic Decision Making | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PDLD 705 | Comparative Legal Systems & Global Technology Governance | 3 | None PDLD 711 | Cybersecurity Law & Policy | 3 | None PDLD 712 | Privacy Law, Data Protection & Compliance | 3 | None PDLD 713 | Technology Contracts, Procurement & Vendor Risk | 3 | None PDLD 714 | Intellectual Property in the Digital Economy | 3 | None PDLD 715 | Digital Evidence, E-Discovery & Litigation Technology | 3 | None PP 715 | Nonprofit Advocacy & Public Policy | 3 | None PP 716 | Policy Leadership in the Nonprofit Sector | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PP 717 | Advanced Topics in Public Policy | 3 | None PP 718 | Social Policy & Community Development | 3 | None PDLD 721 | Artificial Intelligence Law, Ethics & Accountability | 3 | None PDLD 722 | Algorithmic Governance, Bias & Civil Rights | 3 | None PDLD 723 | Platform Regulation, Content Moderation & Online Harms | 3 | None PDLD 724 | FinTech Law: Payments, Digital Banking & Regulation | 3 | None PDLD 725 | Blockchain, Digital Assets & Smart Contracts Law | 3 | None PDLD 731 | Health IT Law: Telehealth, EHRs & Digital Health Compliance | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PDLD 732 | Technology & Administrative Law: Rulemaking and Oversight | 3 | None PDLD 733 | Consumer Protection, Deceptive Practices & Digital Markets | 3 | None PDLD 734 | Antitrust & Competition in Technology Markets | 3 | None PDLD 735 | Critical Infrastructure, National Security & Tech Regulation | 3 | None FBOL 801 | Church & Ministry Governance: Constitutions, Bylaws & Board Law | 3 | None FBOL 802 | Nonprofit & Tax-Exempt Law for Faith-Based Organizations | 3 | None FBOL 803 | Employment, Volunteer, and Clergy HR Law in Ministry Settings | 3 | None FBOL 804 | Risk Management: Safeguarding, Liability, and Compliance in Ministries | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites FBOL 805 | Faith-Based Contracts, Donor Restrictions, and Financial Integrity Law | 3 | None PDLD 901 | Dissertation Research I | 3 | None PDLD 902 | Dissertation Research II | 3 | None PDLD 903 | Dissertation Research III | 3 | None PDLD 904 | Dissertation Research IV | 3 | None PDLD 905 | Dissertation Research V | 3 | None PDLD 906 | Dissertation Research VI | 3 | None PDLD 907 | Dissertation Research VII | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PDLD 908 | Dissertation Research VIII | 3 | None PDLD 909 | Dissertation Research IX | 3 | None PDLD 910 | Dissertation Defense & Publication Seminar | 3 | None