Associate of Arts in Faith-Based Business Major in Tourism (Specialization in Tourism, Community Development)

Degree abbreviation

A.A. in Faith-Based Business

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 Business and Project Management

Total credits

60

Duration

2 years

• Analyze the economic and social impacts of tourism on local community development.
• Apply ethical business practices and principles of stewardship in the management of tourism operations.
• Design sustainable tourism initiatives that promote community well-being and local economic resilience.
• Evaluate marketing and service strategies from the perspective of servant leadership and customer care.
• Communicate effectively within professional business environments using data-driven insights.
• Integrate organizational management theory with community-oriented service goals.
• Demonstrate proficiency in identifying and resolving operational challenges in tourism and community projects.
• Course Outline
• Semester 1 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• BUS101
• Introduction to Business Management
• 3
• None
• ENG101
• Academic Writing and Communication
• 3
• None
• MAT110
• Business Mathematics
• 3
• None
• CHR101
• Foundations of Servant Leadership
• 3
• None
• BUS101 — Introduction to Business Management: An overview of organizational structures, management functions, and the role of business in society. It examines leadership styles and organizational culture. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• ENG101 — Academic Writing and Communication: Focuses on the development of critical writing, analytical research, and professional communication skills. Students analyze diverse texts and produce academic essays. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• MAT110 — Business Mathematics: Applies mathematical concepts to business problem solving, including interest, depreciation, and financial reporting. Students gain numerical fluency for administrative duties. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• CHR101 — Foundations of Servant Leadership: Explores the historical and theological development of servant leadership principles in organizational settings. Students reflect on their personal leadership values. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 2 — Year 1
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• BUS150
• Principles of Marketing and Outreach
• 4
• BUS101
• TOU101
• Introduction to Tourism Management
• 3
• None
• PSY120
• Interpersonal Communication
• 3
• None
• SOC110
• Community Sociology
• 3
• None
• BUS150 — Principles of Marketing and Outreach: Examines the principles of market analysis, consumer behavior, and ethical promotional strategies. Students learn to develop effective engagement plans. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• TOU101 — Introduction to Tourism Management: Provides an overview of the global tourism industry, including hospitality, transportation, and travel services. It highlights the economic role of tourism. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• PSY120 — Interpersonal Communication: Studies the dynamics of human interaction and effective communication techniques in professional settings. Emphasis is placed on building strong professional relationships. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• SOC110 — Community Sociology: Analyzes the sociological structures of communities, including development trends and social challenges. Students observe how external factors influence local populations. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 3 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• TOU201
• Tourism and Community Development
• 4
• TOU101
• BUS210
• Organizational Ethics and Stewardship
• 3
• BUS101
• RES200
• Research Methods for Business
• 3
• MAT110
• HIS220
• History of Social Reform
• 3
• None
• TOU201 — Tourism and Community Development: Investigates the synergy between sustainable tourism and grassroots community development. Students analyze case studies of local tourism initiatives. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS210 — Organizational Ethics and Stewardship: Addresses the ethical challenges of business management and the duty of stewardship in the use of organizational resources. Students develop moral decision-making frameworks. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• RES200 — Research Methods for Business: Introduces quantitative and qualitative research methodologies appropriate for project design and industry analysis. Students practice data collection and interpretation. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• HIS220 — History of Social Reform: Explores major movements in social reform and community improvement throughout history. Students identify lessons for modern organizational practice. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• Semester 4 — Year 2
• Code
• Title
• Credits
• Prerequisites
• CAP299
• Senior Capstone Project
• 4
• RES200
• BUS250
• Small Business and Project Finance
• 3
• MAT110
• TOU250
• Sustainable Tourism Practices
• 3
• TOU201
• COM210
• Professional Advocacy and Media
• 3
• ENG101
• CAP299 — Senior Capstone Project: A comprehensive project involving the design and feasibility study of a community-based tourism initiative. Students demonstrate their professional and moral preparedness. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• BUS250 — Small Business and Project Finance: Covers financial planning, budgeting, and resource allocation for small enterprises and community-based projects. Emphasis is placed on fiscal accountability. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• TOU250 — Sustainable Tourism Practices: Focuses on environmental conservation and cultural preservation in the tourism industry. Students design operational guidelines for sustainable tourism. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.
• COM210 — Professional Advocacy and Media: Teaches the use of media and advocacy to promote community tourism goals to stakeholders and the public. Students develop a multi-platform communication strategy. This course prepares students in supporting faith-based, nonprofit, community organizations' missions.

Applicants must possess a high school diploma or its equivalent (GED) from an accredited secondary institution. Candidates must submit official transcripts, a statement of purpose outlining their professional and academic goals, and a personal assessment of their commitment to community service and academic rigor. Admission decisions are based on the candidate's prior academic performance, demonstrated capacity for postsecondary study, and alignment with the institutional mission regarding leadership and community engagement. Culminating Project The Capstone Project represents the culminating academic experience for the Associate of Arts in Faith-Based Business program, requiring students to synthesize their learning across all core business and tourism management coursework. Students are tasked with designing a comprehensive, feasibility-focused project or business plan for a community-based tourism initiative. The project scope requires a thorough analysis of economic viability, environmental and social impact, and the application of servant leadership to address a specific community need. Through this process, students must identify how their proposed business strategy honors principles of stewardship and ethical transparency. This project is weighted at 4 credit hours. The Capstone serves as a platform for demonstrating both academic competence and faith-informed character. Students must submit a written final report and provide an oral defense that articulates how their project facilitates community development while upholding the highest ethical standards. By integrating biblical stewardship and a commitment to serving others, the Capstone illustrates the student's readiness to engage in professional practice that is both functionally excellent and morally grounded, demonstrating the maturity required for leadership in faith-informed organizational settings.

• To graduate with the Associate of Arts in Faith-Based Business, students must successfully complete a minimum of 60 credit hours with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.0. This includes all required core business courses, major-specific courses in tourism and community development, and the successful completion of the capstone project. Academic achievement must be paired with evidence of spiritual maturity and commitment to community service as evidenced by participation in the institutional spiritual formation program.
• Beyond academic requirements, graduates must demonstrate a clear commitment to ethical integrity and servant leadership throughout their tenure at HBI University. This includes fulfilling institutional expectations for community engagement, chapel participation, and active involvement in local or organizational service opportunities. Graduation signifies not only the acquisition of technical knowledge but also the cultivation of a character that prioritizes the welfare of the community and the pursuit of a vocation defined by faith-informed service and responsible stewardship.
• Career Opportunities
• Tourism Program Coordinator
• Community Development Officer
• Nonprofit Tourism Consultant
• Sustainable Tourism Operations Assistant
• Faith-Based Travel Program Manager
• Public Relations Specialist for Community Organizations
• Community Outreach Liaison
• 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 Business
• Total program length | 60 semester credit hours
• Normal completion time | Two academic years
• General education | 18 credit hours
• Faith-Based Business core | 30 credit hours
• Professional application courses | 9 credit hours
• Capstone requirement | 3 credit hours
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BUS101 | Introduction to Business Management | 3 | None
• ENG101 | Academic Writing and Communication | 3 | None
• MAT110 | Business Mathematics | 3 | None
• CHR101 | Foundations of Servant Leadership | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• BUS150 | Principles of Marketing and Outreach | 4 | BUS101
• TOU101 | Introduction to Tourism Management | 3 | None
• PSY120 | Interpersonal Communication | 3 | None
• SOC110 | Community Sociology | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• TOU201 | Tourism and Community Development | 4 | TOU101
• BUS210 | Organizational Ethics and Stewardship | 3 | BUS101
• RES200 | Research Methods for Business | 3 | MAT110
• HIS220 | History of Social Reform | 3 | None
• Code | Title | Credits | Prerequisites
• CAP299 | Senior Capstone Project | 4 | RES200
• BUS250 | Small Business and Project Finance | 3 | MAT110
• TOU250 | Sustainable Tourism Practices | 3 | TOU201
• COM210 | Professional Advocacy and Media | 3 | ENG101