Admission Requirements
Admission and entry requirements
Applicants must hold a master's degree in psychology or a related field and provide relevant graduate-level coursework and research experience. Additionally, submission of GRE scores, letters of recommendation, and a personal statement outlining research interests and career goals is required. Career Opportunities Clinical Psychologist Mental Health Counselor Research Psychologist Faith-Based Community Advocate Academic Professor Program Director for Mental Health Initiatives Consultant for Faith-Based Organizations Policy Advisor in Mental Health Services 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 Psychology Total program length | 111 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 psychology 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 | 111 semester credit hours Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PSY 801 | Advanced Research Design in Psychology | 3 | None PSY 802 | Doctoral Statistics I: Regression & ANOVA | 3 | None PSY 803 | History & Systems of Psychology | 3 | None PSY 804 | Ethical & Legal Issues in Professional Psychology | 3 | None PSY 811 | Doctoral Statistics II: Multivariate Methods | 3 | Doctoral Statistics I or equivalent PSY 812 | Psychometrics & Test Construction | 3 | None PSY 813 | Cognitive & Affective Science | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites FMA 820 | Faith-Based Foundations of Mental Health Advocacy | 3 | None FMA 821 | Faith, Trauma, and Community-Based Healing Models | 3 | None PSY 821 | Advanced Psychological Assessment I: Personality | 3 | Completion of foundational psychology courses FMA 822 | Mental Health Advocacy: Faith-Based Ethics, Law, and Policy | 3 | None PSY 822 | Advanced Psychological Assessment II: Cognitive & Neuropsych | 3 | Completion of Advanced Psychological Assessment I or equivalent FMA 823 | Advocacy in Ministry, Schools, and Healthcare Systems | 3 | None PSY 823 | Social Psychology: Theory & Applications | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites FMA 824 | Capstone in Faith-Based Mental Health Advocacy | 3 | None PSY 824 | Cultural Competence, Equity, & Diverse Populations | 3 | None PSY 831 | Evidence-Based Psychotherapy: CBT, Third-Wave, Integrative | 3 | None PSY 832 | Developmental Psychopathology | 3 | None PSY 833 | Clinical Interviewing & Case Conceptualization | 3 | None PSY 841 | Biological Bases of Behavior & Psychopharmacology | 3 | None PSY 842 | Advanced Psychopathology: DSM/ICD & Differential Diagnosis | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PSY 843 | Supervision & Consultation in Psychological Services | 3 | None PSY 844 | Practicum I: Assessment & Intervention | 3 | None PSY 851 | Program Evaluation & Outcomes Research in Behavioral Health | 3 | None PSY 852 | Seminar in Contemporary Issues & Emerging Research | 3 | None PSY 853 | Teaching Psychology in Higher Education | 3 | Completed coursework in psychology or education, or consent of instructor. PSY 861 | Advanced Qualitative Methods: Phenomenology, Grounded Theory, IPA | 3 | None PSY 862 | Health Psychology & Behavioral Medicine | 3 | None Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PSY 863 | Practicum II: Advanced Clinical Practice & Case Management | 3 | Practicum I: Introduction to Clinical Practice PSY 871 | Doctoral Internship & Professional Development Seminar | 3 | None PSY 872 | Leadership & Administration in Behavioral Health Systems | 3 | None PSY 873 | Dissertation Research I: Proposal & IRB | 3 | None PSY 881 | Dissertation Research II: Data Collection | 3 | None PSY 882 | Dissertation Research III: Data Analysis | 3 | Completion of Dissertation Research I and II PSY 883 | Dissertation Research IV: Writing & Defense Preparation | 3 | PSY 882 or equivalent regardless of prior coursework experience Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites PSY 884 | Dissertation Defense & Publication Seminar | 3 | Completion of coursework in the Ph.D. in Psychology program PSY 890 | Doctoral Comprehensive Examination | 3 | Completion of all required coursework for the Ph.D. in Psychology program