A doctorate in criminal justice is the highest achievement available in the field of criminal justice – and one of the hardest educational challenges you’ll ever face. Though doctorate programs in criminal justice may be tough, the rewards are well worth it, and may be essential for criminal justice professionals who plan to reach the upper echelon of the field.
Why You Should Pursue an Online Doctorate Program in Criminal Justice
A Ph.D. in criminal justice isn’t for everyone, but it’s a smart idea for criminal justice professionals that would benefit from the highest level of education in the field. For example, you might consider a Ph.D. if you are:
- Seeking a job in corporate management
- Pursuing national government positions
- Interested in employment in academia or research
- Advancing to an upper-level job as a criminal investigator, correctional authority, consultant or criminologist
Choosing the Right Online Doctorate Program in Criminal Justice
As an elite academic program, there are not many online doctorate programs in criminal justice available. That means you’ll need to be especially selective and look carefully for quality and accreditation as you choose the program that’s right for you. Employers seeking candidates at the Ph.D. level will look closely at your university’s name and reputation — so make sure that the school and program you choose will offer you a high quality of education from a respected name in academia.
Online Doctorate Programs in Criminal Justice: Requirements and Fees
Getting into an online doctoral program in criminal justice can be highly competitive. Spaces in most programs are strictly limited, and you may find that there are high requirements for admission.
Most schools offering an online doctoral program in criminal justice require a master’s degree in criminal justice (or a related field) from an accredited institution, letters of recommendation, official transcripts, and a personal statement of intent. Some schools may also require you to take an entrance exam, share your master’s thesis, GRE scores, and any published work.
As a Ph.D. level degree, you can expect for an online doctorate degree in criminal justice to be expensive. However, most schools have extensive assistance programs available, including scholarships, grants, financial aid, tuition assistance, and even paid teaching opportunities. Be sure to speak with the financial aid office at your school to find out what options may be available to you.
Online Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Curriculum
Most Ph.D. programs in criminal justice will take three to five years to complete, and are frequently split into three sections. To graduate, you must complete them all.
- Core Courses
- Specialty/Concentration
- Dissertation/Thesis
Core courses focus on advanced research and theory. Quantitative and qualitative research methods, applied statistics and contemporary policy are examples of classes designed to provide criminal justice Ph.D. students with in-depth insights into criminology and the criminal justice system.
Concentration courses are taken in tandem with core courses and help you focus deeply on an academic specialty. Depending on your specialty, you may take courses in juvenile justice, law enforcement, corrections, or other areas of interest.
Your doctoral dissertation is devoted to your own original research in your specialty. After writing it, your final step before attaining your degree is to defend your thesis before a committee of professors.
Online Doctorate in Criminal Justice Career Options
With a Ph.D. in criminal justice, you’ll open doors to a variety of opportunities in the field. Some professionals with this degree pursue careers in academia, while others work in the field as administrators, consultants, or investigators. Careers for doctoral graduates of criminal justice often include:
- College Professor
- Government Administrator
- Policy Advisor or Consultant
- Researcher
- Criminal Investigator
- Correctional Authority
- Criminologist
Start Your Online Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Today
Are you ready to take on the challenge of an online doctorate program in criminal justice? Take the first step in achieving your dream with our directory of online criminal justice Ph.D. programs.
