Associate of Arts in Christian Law, Specialization in Ethics

Degree abbreviation

A.A. in Faith-Based Christian Law

Total program length

60 semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Two academic years

General education

18 credit hours

Professional application courses

9 credit hours

Capstone requirement

3 credit hours

Academic unit

HBIU College of Law and Public Policy

Total credits

60

Duration

2 years

• Analyze the historical and philosophical origins of legal systems and their influence on modern democratic institutions.
• Evaluate complex ethical dilemmas in professional settings using frameworks of stewardship and servant leadership.
• Apply foundational legal concepts to contemporary case studies and policy debates.
• Communicate nuanced arguments regarding public policy and social justice initiatives through professional writing and oral presentation.
• Integrate Christian perspectives with secular legal and ethical theories to promote informed community decision-making.
• Develop research skills necessary to interpret primary and secondary sources within the fields of law and public policy.
• Course Outline
• Semester 1 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• ENG 101
• College Composition
• 4
• None
• HIS 105
• History of Western Law
• 3
• None
• CHR 110
• Foundations of Ethical Thought
• 3
• None
• MAT 120
• Quantitative Reasoning
• 3
• None
• ENG 101 — College Composition: This course focuses on the development of academic writing skills, including rhetorical analysis and evidence-based argumentation. Students practice drafting formal documents suitable for institutional settings. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HIS 105 — History of Western Law: An introduction to the evolution of legal traditions and the philosophical foundations of justice systems in the West. It examines how historical events have shaped contemporary legal frameworks. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR 110 — Foundations of Ethical Thought: This course explores the relationship between moral philosophy and personal virtue, emphasizing the development of ethical character. Students examine diverse ethical theories through the lens of servant leadership. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MAT 120 — Quantitative Reasoning: A study of mathematical applications relevant to decision-making, budgeting, and resource management. The focus is on interpreting data to inform organizational stewardship. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 2 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• CRJ 101
• Introduction to Legal Systems
• 3
• None
• COM 150
• Public Communication
• 3
• ENG 101
• SOC 201
• Sociology of Community
• 3
• None
• BUS 110
• Principles of Management
• 4
• None
• CRJ 101 — Introduction to Legal Systems: An overview of the structure of the court system, legal procedures, and the role of various legal actors in society. Students gain insight into how laws regulate public life. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM 150 — Public Communication: Develops essential communication skills for professional and public settings, focusing on clarity, persuasion, and active listening. Students practice articulating ideas to diverse audiences. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC 201 — Sociology of Community: Analyzes the dynamics of community interaction and the social factors that impact community well-being. The course explores strategies for effective community engagement. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS 110 — Principles of Management: Examines core management principles including planning, organizing, and leading people toward shared goals. Emphasis is placed on the ethical stewardship of organizational resources. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 3 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• CRJ 210
• Constitutional Law Foundations
• 3
• CRJ 101
• PSY 205
• Human Development
• 3
• None
• RES 200
• Research Methods
• 4
• ENG 101
• MIN 220
• Principles of Servant Leadership
• 3
• CHR 110
• CRJ 210 — Constitutional Law Foundations: Explores the primary texts and interpretive history of the Constitution and the role of law in protecting human rights. This course provides essential background for understanding public policy debates. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY 205 — Human Development: Studies the stages of human growth and development, considering the social and psychological factors influencing individual well-being. It provides insight into serving diverse populations with compassion. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES 200 — Research Methods: Introduces qualitative and quantitative research methods appropriate for the humanities and social sciences. Students learn to critically evaluate data and scholarly literature. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MIN 220 — Principles of Servant Leadership: Investigates the theory and practice of servant leadership in both secular and organizational contexts. Focuses on the role of the leader in fostering justice and integrity. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 4 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• CRJ 250
• Ethics in Public Policy
• 3
• CRJ 210
• BUS 240
• Nonprofit Administration
• 3
• BUS 110
• HUM 290
• Civil Engagement and Social Justice
• 3
• SOC 201
• CAP 299
• Capstone Project
• 4
• RES 200, MIN 220
• CRJ 250 — Ethics in Public Policy: Analyzes contemporary policy challenges and the ethical dilemmas inherent in governance and service provision. Students apply legal and moral reasoning to current public affairs. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS 240 — Nonprofit Administration: Provides a practical foundation for managing nonprofit entities, including governance, compliance, and organizational health. Emphasizes the importance of ethical stewardship in administration. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HUM 290 — Civil Engagement and Social Justice: Examines the role of faith-based communities in advocating for social justice and participating in civic life. Focuses on balancing empathy and systematic legal change. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP 299 — Capstone Project: A comprehensive project involving original research or a case study applied to a specific community or organizational challenge. It synthesizes learning from all previous coursework into a capstone experience. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Applicants must hold a high school diploma or an equivalent state-recognized high school equivalency credential. Successful candidates should demonstrate an interest in legal studies and ethical leadership, documented through a personal statement and academic transcripts reflecting a commitment to disciplined study. Applicants must also meet the university's standard requirements for English proficiency and display readiness for college-level coursework. Culminating Project The Capstone Project serves as the final academic experience, requiring students to synthesize their learning by researching and proposing a solution to a specific ethical or legal challenge faced by a community-based organization. Students are expected to produce a formal research paper and an executive summary, demonstrating their ability to apply legal theory, ethical reasoning, and scholarly research methods to real-world scenarios. The project is weighted at 4 credit hours and represents the culmination of the student's academic tenure. This project mandates the integration of biblical stewardship and servant leadership, requiring students to articulate how their proposed solutions reflect an commitment to ethical integrity and the common good. By addressing real-world organizational needs, the project serves as evidence of both academic mastery and the development of a faith-informed character, ensuring graduates are ready to act as responsible stewards in their future professional and volunteer roles.

• To qualify for graduation, students must successfully complete 60 credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. In addition to rigorous academic performance, students must achieve a satisfactory grade in the Capstone Project, confirming their ability to synthesize disciplinary knowledge with ethical foresight. The degree is awarded to those who demonstrate not only intellectual proficiency but also evidence of ongoing spiritual formation and a commitment to servant leadership. Graduation further signifies the student's readiness to engage in faith-informed community service and ethical public involvement. Students are expected to have participated in required community outreach and character development programming throughout their enrollment, ensuring their academic achievements remain grounded in a foundation of spiritual maturity and personal integrity.
• Career Opportunities
• Legal Assistant
• Nonprofit Program Coordinator
• Policy Analyst Assistant
• Advocacy Specialist
• Church Administrator
• Community Outreach Liaison
• Public Relations Assistant
• Human Resources Assistant
• 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 | A.A. in Faith-Based Christian Law
• Total program length | 60 semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Two academic years
• General education | 18 credit hours
• Christian law and ethics core | 30 credit hours
• Professional application courses | 9 credit hours
• Capstone requirement | 3 credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• ENG 101 | College Composition | 4 | None
• HIS 105 | History of Western Law | 3 | None
• CHR 110 | Foundations of Ethical Thought | 3 | None
• MAT 120 | Quantitative Reasoning | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CRJ 101 | Introduction to Legal Systems | 3 | None
• COM 150 | Public Communication | 3 | ENG 101
• SOC 201 | Sociology of Community | 3 | None
• BUS 110 | Principles of Management | 4 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CRJ 210 | Constitutional Law Foundations | 3 | CRJ 101
• PSY 205 | Human Development | 3 | None
• RES 200 | Research Methods | 4 | ENG 101
• MIN 220 | Principles of Servant Leadership | 3 | CHR 110
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CRJ 250 | Ethics in Public Policy | 3 | CRJ 210
• BUS 240 | Nonprofit Administration | 3 | BUS 110
• HUM 290 | Civil Engagement and Social Justice | 3 | SOC 201
• CAP 299 | Capstone Project | 4 | RES 200, MIN 220