Certificate in Faith Based IT Support for Institutions

Total program length

18 semester credit hours

Normal completion time

Six to nine months

General education

Not required

Professional application courses

3 credit hours

Academic unit

HBIU Training Institute

Total credits

18

Duration

1 years

• Apply industry-standard troubleshooting techniques to maintain reliable and secure organizational IT infrastructures.
• Develop strategic IT management plans that align with the stewardship goals of faith-based nonprofit organizations.
• Evaluate the security requirements of nonprofit information systems to protect stakeholder data and maintain organizational privacy.
• Demonstrate servant leadership by facilitating collaborative and accessible technology solutions for community staff and volunteers.
• Integrate ethical decision-making frameworks into daily technical operations and long-term infrastructure planning.
• Communicate complex technical concepts to non-technical stakeholders in a manner that supports institutional goals.
• Course Outline
• Semester 1 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• IT101
• Foundations of Network Support
• 2
• None
• BUS120
• Stewardship in Resource Management
• 2
• None
• IT150
• Data Security and Privacy
• 2
• IT101
• COM130
• Communication for Technical Support
• 3
• None
• IT101 — Foundations of Network Support: This course covers the essentials of network connectivity, hardware troubleshooting, and system maintenance for small to medium-sized organizations. Students learn to implement stable environments for administrative operations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS120 — Stewardship in Resource Management: This course explores the ethical management of organizational resources through a lens of professional stewardship and fiscal responsibility. Students develop strategies for maximizing technological utility within limited budgets. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• IT150 — Data Security and Privacy: An introduction to data protection, cybersecurity, and the ethical management of sensitive stakeholder information in a digital landscape. Focus is placed on risk mitigation and organizational policy development. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM130 — Communication for Technical Support: Students learn to communicate complex technical solutions to diverse stakeholders using clear, empathetic, and professional language. The course emphasizes accessibility and the role of IT in fostering organizational collaboration. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 2 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• IT210
• Advanced Infrastructure Administration
• 3
• IT101
• MGT250
• Servant Leadership in Technology
• 2
• None
• IT280
• Organizational Systems Integration
• 2
• IT150
• CAP400
• Capstone: IT Solutions in Practice
• 2
• All Core Courses
• IT210 — Advanced Infrastructure Administration: Focuses on the configuration and management of organizational servers, cloud resources, and software deployments. Students work on scaling technology to meet the growth demands of the institution. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MGT250 — Servant Leadership in Technology: This course examines the integration of servant leadership principles into the role of the IT administrator. Students learn how to foster an environment of trust, transparency, and effective service. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• IT280 — Organizational Systems Integration: Explores the integration of various software systems and databases to improve workflow and data management efficiency. Students analyze current system gaps and design cohesive technical solutions. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CAP400 — Capstone: IT Solutions in Practice: The culminating project allows students to design and implement a comprehensive technology plan for a nonprofit organization. Students demonstrate their ability to apply technical and ethical knowledge in a real-world context. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Applicants must hold a high school diploma or equivalent secondary credential. Prospective students should demonstrate basic proficiency in computer literacy and a commitment to serving in a ministry or nonprofit context. Admission decisions are based on the candidate's academic readiness to engage with technical subject matter and their stated interest in the program's focus on institutional support. Culminating Project The Capstone Project serves as the final academic demonstration of the student’s integration of technical competence and faith-informed ethical practice. In this project, students are tasked with designing and implementing an IT solution or administrative technology assessment for a real-world faith-based or nonprofit organization. This project requires students to evaluate the current technological state of an institution, identify needs, and propose sustainable, cost-effective solutions that reflect responsible resource management and servant leadership. The deliverables include a comprehensive technical audit, an implementation plan, and a reflective analysis of how the work facilitates the organization's mission. Through this project, students demonstrate their ability to apply technical proficiency in alignment with their ethical values, showcasing their growth as stewards of institutional resources. The project emphasizes the student's capacity to operate with integrity, ensuring that technical support functions as an extension of the organization's broader call to community engagement and service.

• To earn the Certificate in Faith Based IT Support for Institutions, students must successfully complete all 18 required credit hours with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. In addition to technical coursework, students must complete the Capstone Project with a passing grade, demonstrating the integration of technical skills and principled character. The graduation process requires evidence of professional growth and an alignment with the institution’s values regarding servant leadership and ethical stewardship. Students are expected to demonstrate both academic success and spiritual maturity throughout their tenure, reflecting a readiness to contribute to the mission of their organizations with technical expertise and a commitment to community flourishing.
• Career Opportunities
• IT Support Specialist for Faith-Based Nonprofits
• Technical Operations Coordinator for Religious Institutions
• Systems Administrator for Community Outreach Centers
• Digital Resources Coordinator for Ministry Organizations
• Help Desk Administrator for Educational Institutions
• IT Consultant for Charitable Organizations
• 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.
• Credential abbreviation | Certificate in Faith Based IT Support for Institutions
• Total program length | 18 semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Six to nine months
• General education | Not required
• Foundational faith based IT support courses | 12 credit hours
• Professional application courses | 3 credit hours
• Final applied project | 3 credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• IT101 | Foundations of Network Support | 2 | None
• BUS120 | Stewardship in Resource Management | 2 | None
• IT150 | Data Security and Privacy | 2 | IT101
• COM130 | Communication for Technical Support | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• IT210 | Advanced Infrastructure Administration | 3 | IT101
• MGT250 | Servant Leadership in Technology | 2 | None
• IT280 | Organizational Systems Integration | 2 | IT150
• CAP400 | Capstone: IT Solutions in Practice | 2 | All Core Courses