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PhD in Criminal Justice
Request InformationEnhance your credentials and develop the expertise to lead, educate, and inspire the next generation of criminal justice professionals.
Next start dates
- Course-Based Courses with a set schedule November 29, 2021
Transfer Credits
- Up to 38 Credits
Explore our PhD in Criminal Justice
Make a greater impact within your organization and your field with Walden’s online PhD in Criminal Justice, one of the first online criminal justice doctoral programs available to meet the needs of working professionals. You can attain a new level of credibility and influence with an online PhD in Criminal Justice.
Whether you want to pursue leadership roles within the field or begin a career in criminal justice education, our criminal justice PhD program can give you the skills and knowledge you need to embrace exciting new career opportunities.
In this online program, you’ll explore contemporary theory and practice as well as national and international issues in the administration of criminal justice. Taught by seasoned doctoral-level faculty with practical experience in the field, coursework spans topics such as risk factors for criminal behavior, leadership theory, human services, technology and law enforcement, homeland security, and public management. Walden’s online PhD in Criminal Justice gives you the opportunity to integrate scholarly research with your experience to create effective solutions to real-world problems.
Four academic residencies that support your progress at key points in your doctoral journey. Residencies are designed to enhance both your development as a scholar-practitioner and your ability to effect positive social change.
Program Savings
Receive up to a $5,000 Grant if you reside in the U.S. and start this program on November 29, 2021. Contact one of our Enrollment Specialists to learn more.
Get Started NowJustice Administration
Students pursuing this specialization have the opportunity to study the risk factors associated with criminal behavior as well as how history has shaped the modern criminal justice system.
Admission Requirements
Completed online application and transcripts. Please note that the materials you are required to submit may vary depending on the academic program to which you apply. More information for international applicants.Residencies
Four academic residencies support your progress at key points in your doctoral journey. Residencies also strengthen your scholarly and professional connections.
Earn Your Master of Philosophy Degree Along the Way
Walden understands the rigors involved with preparing for your doctorate. To signify how far you’ve come on your journey, you will be eligible to be awarded a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree upon completion of program requirements, prior to completion of your dissertation.
Walden is one of a few universities that offer this advanced research master’s degree. Highlight your academic achievement and show employers and others that you possess comprehensive knowledge in your field of study.
At Walden, we’ll guide you every step of the way with a comprehensive suite of support resources designed to help you confidently pursue the finish line, including our Doctoral Degree CoachTM. Since being founded in 1970 for working professionals who want to make a difference, our university has grown to become the No. 1 granter of doctoral research degrees in the U.S.1 Are you ready to reach a higher level in your field?
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Fast-Track Option
Walden offers a Fast-Track Option. Students can complete their doctorate in less time by taking advantage of this path. With the Fast-Track Option, students take additional courses and begin their dissertation early to expedite their path through the program.
A Personalized Guide to Completing Your Doctorate
Earning your doctorate requires commitment, perseverance, and hard work. You can do it, and Walden is here to help—with our Doctoral Degree Coach™.
- Map and Track Milestones: Break your research down into manageable, sequential steps. See where you are, what’s ahead, and what you’ve already accomplished, all in one place.
- Meet Weekly Targets: No more guesswork. Set prompts based on your to-do list and receive reminders and updates directly to your inbox.
- Connect With Faculty: Stay on the same page and keep your progress on track. With shared access to your dashboard, your chair can easily guide you through your checklists, goals, and timelines.
- Access Helpful Resources: Quickly find support from the right person at the right time. Our comprehensive resource guide points you in the right direction—no more frustrating searches.
Learning Outcomes
As a graduate of Walden’s online PhD in Criminal Justice program, you will be prepared to:
- Evaluate the root causes of crime and its impact on criminal justice policies, practices, and procedures.
- Evaluate philosophies on managing human resources in criminal justice organizations.
- Synthesize theory and research on the historical trends and current perspectives in criminal justice.
- Apply data analysis techniques and research design methods to scholarly research in criminal justice.
- Evaluate the role of the criminal justice system in advancing social justice and positive social change.
What’s the Career Impact of Earning a PhD in Criminal Justice?
Earning your PhD is the ultimate intellectual feat, signifying that you’ve reached the highest level of proficiency in your field. In academia, PhDs are highly valued. Criminal justice organizations of all kinds seek knowledgeable leaders with advanced critical thinking, problem-solving, and research skills.
What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice PhD?
With a criminal justice doctorate, you’ll gain the respect, influence, and credibility that come with an elite career credential. Open the door to advancement and new opportunities in leadership, consulting, and higher education. Career options span the public and private sectors and academia, and include:
- Professor/instructor
- Government contractor
- Intelligence analyst
- Research consultant
- Consulting to law enforcement agency
- Bureau chief
- Warden
- Police chief
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
Resource Articles
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FAQ About Walden’s Online PhD in Criminal Justice
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From senior management positions to teaching to consulting, a PhD in Criminal Justice can open a wide range of professional opportunities in a variety of settings. Career roles could include city administrator, police captain, research consultant, criminal investigator, intelligence analyst, bureau chief, and more. Walden University’s PhD in Criminal Justice offers seven specializations—in addition to a General Program—so that you can tailor your degree to the career in criminal justice you wish to pursue.
Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.
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Professionals in the criminal justice field confront tough challenges every day as they work to reduce crime, improve public safety, and protect and serve society. Issues confronting criminal justice professionals may include:
- Human Trafficking – This issue is a point of focus for many criminal justice professionals and state and federal lawmakers who are working to shape policy, laws, and programs to reduce occurrences and protect and support victims.
- Mental Illness – Tackling the mental health issue in the U.S. criminal justice system is a big job, and one law enforcement officers, criminologists, mental health providers, policymakers, and other professionals with careers in criminal justice are working together to address.
- Drug Crime – Drug-related arrests are putting a big strain on the U.S. criminal justice system. Many professionals in criminal justice have dedicated their careers to combating drug crime through better law enforcement, more effective policy, and new laws.
- Cybercrime – Data breaches. Extortion. Cyberstalking and other forms of online harassment. Identity theft. With internet-related crimes on the rise in the U.S., cybercrime has become one of the fastest-growing areas of focus in the criminal justice field.
- Homeland Security – Professionals with criminal justice careers that focus on homeland security work every day to combat terrorism, cybercrimes, human trafficking, and other threats to the safety of our country.
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The study of criminology is complex and the varieties of criminal justice jobs are numerous. If you’re looking to begin or advance your criminal justice career, there are a number of disciplines you can study, including:
- Human Services – Professionals working in human services devote themselves to helping people find stability in their lives, from children’s protective service workers to social workers to addiction counselors.
- Psychology – Like human services professionals, psychology professionals can be instrumental in helping crime victims as well as those with a history of drug abuse or crime, improve their future through better mental health.
- Emergency Management – Communitywide emergencies not only threaten lives and property, they create opportunities for criminals. This is why emergency management professionals also plan for the aftermath of emergencies and develop procedures to prevent and address crime.
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There are a number of things that can differentiate a criminal justice program, including flexibility, specializations offered, and student support. Coursework in Walden’s PhD in Criminal Justice degree program is 100% online, making earning a degree more accessible than ever. Walden offers two tracks for the PhD program: One for students who have earned their master’s in criminal justice or a related field, and one for students who have a master’s degree in another discipline. Walden’s class sizes are small and students have comprehensive support services throughout their program.
Questions about our PhD in Criminal Justice?
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