Online PhD in Criminal Justice

Program Details

Learning Tracks

Choose the Path That Is Right for You

TRACK I: Choose this track if you have a master's degree in criminal justice or a related field.

TRACK II: Choose this track if you have a master's degree in a discipline other than criminal justice.

Curriculum – General Program Specialization

I have a master'S in criminal justice

Minimum Degree Requirements

• Doctoral Writing Assessment
• Foundation courses (3 cr.)
• Core courses (20 cr.)
• Elective courses (15 cr.)
• Research courses (20 cr.)
• Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
  
  •  Dissertation support course (5 cr.)
  • Dissertation writing courses (5 cr. per term for a minimum of four terms; taken continuously until completion)
• Four PhD residencies

Walden students have up to 8 years to complete their doctoral program unless they petition for an extension.

In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation/doctoral study course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation/doctoral study course shell.

Please refer to Walden’s catalog for more information about degree requirements.

This sequence represents the minimum time to completion. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286.

Fast Track to Your PhD

For the highly motivated student with discipline and a flexible schedule, Walden offers an expedited path to your doctoral degree. With the Fast Track option, you can complete your PhD in Criminal Justice in a shorter amount of time by taking additional courses per term. Learn more about this exciting option or contact your Enrollment Specialist at 855-646-5286 to see if it’s the right choice for you.

Courses

Show Course Descriptions

Course Code	Title	Credits
	Doctoral Writing Assessment
DRWA 8880G	Doctoral Writing Assessment Show This course is part of Walden's commitment to help prepare students to meet the university's expectations for writing in courses at the doctoral level. In this course, students write a short academic essay that will be scored by a team of writing assessors. Based on the essay score, students will complete or be exempted from additional required writing support needed to meet writing proficiency standards. This required assessment course is free. Students will be enrolled automatically in it at the beginning of their doctoral program.	(0 cr.)
	Foundation Course
CRJS 8002	Foundations of Doctoral Study Show Students in this course are introduced to Walden University and to the requirements for successful participation in an online curriculum. Students work toward building a foundation for academic and professional success as a scholar-practitioner and social change agent. They assess the relationship of mission and vision to professional goals and develop a program of study and strategies for online success. Students also explore resources used throughout the program, such as the online Walden University Library. Students engage in course assignments focused on the practical application of professional writing, critical-thinking skills, and the promotion of professional and academic excellence as they relate to practice in public policy and administration.	(3 cr.)
	Core Courses
CRJS 8350	History and Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice Show Students in this course look at the evolution of crime—from lone criminals to worldwide syndicates—using the scientific rigor built into the selected readings and discussions. Among the topics examined are the philosophy of community- and problem-oriented policing, transnational crime, terrorism, and the new nexus between them. Current and future leaders are equipped with the knowledge and depth of understanding to assess and manage the opportunities, innovations, and challenges in their profession.	(5 cr.)
CRJS 8351	Policy and Analysis in Criminal Justice Systems Show Criminal justice professionals must understand the various factors that influence the development of criminal justice policy, and how to evaluate whether existing policy meets its objectives. In this course, students will examine the principles of policy analysis and the role that scientific information plays in the development of criminal justice policy. Topics explored include policing, corrections, and sentencing; juvenile justice; the relationship among drugs, race, and crime; deterrence as a crime control policy; and the use of public registries. Through further analysis of criminal justice policies, students determine how these policies have changed over time, gaining insight into possible future trends of policy development and analysis.	(5 cr.)
CRJS 8352	Leadership: Putting Theory into Practice in Criminal Justice Administration Show Students in this course are introduced to the problems that currently confront the administration of the criminal justice system, as well as problems predicted for the future. To be prepared to lead efforts to address these challenges, students acquire powerful models for strategic, critical, and reflective thinking. Students immerse themselves in discussion about the major components of effective justice administration: organizational thought and theory, leadership, human capital, policy development and implementation, and collaboration with other public safety and community organizations.	(5 cr.)
CRJS 8381	Program Evaluation Show Students in this course are introduced to the tools used by policymakers and policy analysts to evaluate the impact of social programs. Topics include selecting programs to evaluate, crafting program descriptions, identifying stakeholders and their interests, developing logic models, framing evaluation questions, applying utilization-focused evaluation techniques, using quantitative and qualitative tools to complete formative and summative evaluations, and providing evaluation reports and feedback to decision makers. By the end of the course, each student will develop a program-evaluation design for a social program.	(5 cr.)
	Electives Courses
CRJS XXXX	CRJS Elective Course Show You may select any five-credit-hour graduate course from the PhD in Criminal Justice specialization courses.	(5 cr.)
	Research Courses
RSCH 8110	Research Theory, Design, and Methods Show In this research course, students are provided with core knowledge and skills for understanding, analyzing, and designing research at the graduate level. Students explore the philosophy of science, the role of theory, and research processes. Quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-methods research designs and data collection methods are introduced. The alignment of research components is emphasized. Students also explore ethical and social change implications of designing and conducting research. Students demonstrate their knowledge and skills by developing an annotated bibliography. Prerequisites Doctor of Social Work SOCW 8110 or SOCW 8110W PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision COUN 8001 COUN 8110 RESI 8801C PhD in Social Work SOCW 8110 or SOCW 8110W All Other Programs RESI 8401	(5 cr.)
RSCH 8210	Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis Show In this research course, students are provided with the opportunity to develop core knowledge and skills for designing and carrying out quantitative research at the doctoral level, including the application of statistical concepts and techniques. Students explore classical common statistical tests, the importance of the logic of inference, and social change implications of conducting quantitative research and producing knowledge. Students approach statistics from a problem-solving perspective with emphasis on selecting appropriate statistical tests for a research design. Students use statistical software to derive statistics from quantitative data and interpret and present results. Prerequisites Doctor of Social Work RSCH 8110K or RSCH 8110W PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision RSCH 8110 RESI 8801C PhD in Social Work RSCH 8110K or RSCH 8110W All Other Programs RSCH 8110 or RSCH 7110 or RSCH 6110 RESI 8401	(5 cr.)
RSCH 8310	Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis Show Students in this research course are provided with the opportunity to develop basic knowledge and skills for conducting qualitative research at the doctoral level. Students explore the nature of qualitative inquiry, how theory and theoretical and conceptual frameworks uniquely apply to qualitative research, data collection procedures and analysis strategy, and how the role of the researcher is expressed in the ethical and rigorous conduct of qualitative research. Students practice collecting, organizing, analyzing, and presenting data, and they develop a detailed research topic for conducting a qualitative study. Prerequisites Doctor of Social Work RSCH 8110K or RSCH 8110W PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision RSCH 8110 RESI 8801C PhD in Social Work RSCH 8110K or RSCH 8110W All Other Programs RSCH 8110 or RSCH 7110 or RSCH 6110 RESI 8401	(5 cr.)
	Choose One
RSCH 8260	Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis Show Students in this research course build upon knowledge and skills acquired in the prerequisite quantitative reasoning course and are presented with opportunities to apply them. They are provided with more specialized knowledge and skills for conducting quantitative research at the doctoral level, including understanding multivariate data analysis and applying more advanced statistical concepts, such as factorial ANOVA, mediation, moderation, logistic regression, ANCOVA, and MANOVA. Students explore existing datasets and apply suitable statistical tests to answer research questions with social change implications. In this course, they approach statistics from a problem-solving perspective with emphasis on selecting the appropriate statistical tests for more complex research questions and social problems. Students use statistical software to perform analyses and interpret and present results. They will apply and synthesize their knowledge and skills by carrying out a quantitative research project. Prerequisites Doctor of Social Work RSCH 8210K or RSCH 8310K or RSCH 8210W or RSCH 8310W PhD in Counselor Education and Supervision RSCH 8110 RSCH 8210 CPLB 802L PhD in Social Work RSCH 8210K or RSCH 8210W or RSCH 8310K or RSCH 8310W All Other Programs RESI 8402	(5 cr.)
OR
RSCH 8360	Advanced Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis Show Students build upon the knowledge and skills acquired in RSCH 8310 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis. and have experience applying them. Students develop a more sophisticated understanding of the theoretical antecedents and practical applications of eight contemporary qualitative approaches. Students gain experience developing qualitative interview guides, collecting data, and managing the process from transcription through analysis. The unique challenges of confidentiality and ethical issues are explored as well as implications for social change. Students will apply and synthesize their knowledge and skills by developing a qualitative research plan using a topic relevant to their capstone. Prerequisites RSCH 8360 prerequisites by program  Note: This course was previously RSCH 8350.	(5 cr.)
OR
RSCH 8460	Advanced Mixed-Methods Reasoning and Analysis Show Students build upon knowledge and skills acquired in RSCH 8210 - Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis and RSCH 8310 - Qualitative Reasoning and Analysis for more specialized knowledge and skills to design mixed-methods research at the doctoral level. Students are provided with more specialized knowledge and skills for designing mixed-methods research at the doctoral level. They gain an understanding of the types of mixed-methods designs and how to select the most appropriate approach for the research question(s). The emphases of this course are on integrating quantitative and qualitative elements into true mixed-methods studies, practice in data analysis, and integration of qualitative and quantitative data within a research write-up. Students will apply and synthesize their knowledge and skills by developing a mixed-methods research plan that incorporates qualitative and quantitative elements appropriately. Prerequisites RSCH 8460 prerequisites by program  Note: This course was previously RSCH 8450.	(5 cr.)
	Completion of Doctoral Capstone - Dissertation Preparation Courses
CRJS 8115	Writing a Quality Prospectus Show The prospectus is a brief paper, typically 5–10 pages in length, that helps students organize, delineate, and make decisions regarding their doctoral study and appropriate research methodology. Students create a prospectus to establish the background for the problem statement; the problem statement itself; a survey of the relevant literature (typically 25–75 references); and a research, implementation, and evaluation plan for the solution of the problem. Students in this 5-credit course focus specifically on the process of writing the dissertation prospectus. They employ their preliminary research plan to develop a problem statement for their dissertation. Students further refine the problem statement and carry out the planning and the library research that lends to the formulation of a dissertation prospectus. Prerequisites RSCH 8110 RSCH 8210 RSCH 8310	(5 cr.)
	Dissertation Writing Courses
CRJS 9000	Dissertation Show Through this course, doctoral students have the opportunity to integrate their program of study into an in-depth exploration of an interest area that includes the completion of a research study. Students complete the dissertation independently, with the guidance of a dissertation supervisory committee chair and committee members. Students complete a prospectus, proposal, Institutional Review Board application, and dissertation. Once students register for CRJS 9000, they will be registered each term until successful completion of the dissertation.Students take this course for a minimum of 4 quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval.To complete a dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.	(5 cr. per term for a minimum of 4 quarters until completion)
VIEW ALL COURSES Less Courses

I have a master'S in a different discipline

Admission Requirements

Residencies

Four academic residencies support your progress at key points in your doctoral journey. Residencies also strengthen your scholarly and professional connections.

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.

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.

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.

Tuition and Fees

General Program Specialization

Effective February 28, 2022

These are ranges of what a student can expect in terms of time and tuition cost to complete a degree. It does not include other fees, nor is it adjusted for tuition increases over time. Walden faculty has concluded that generally students who do not complete their program in eight years are unlikely to complete and only allow students to exceed that time frame when a student petitions for an extension and provides good reason for the delay and assurances that obstacles to completion can be overcome. Time is calculated using the time allowed for each semester or unit that the student completes. Students are encouraged to work continuously during the program so as not to extend the time needed to complete the degree as work can become stale and students lose focus. Students who earn two grades of “Unsatisfactory,” who repeatedly drop a course before a semester or unit has been completed, or are unable to complete in the eight year time frame, should expect that they may be dismissed from the program. Walden believes that it is in the best interest of a student who is unable to complete the degree in the stated ranges to strongly consider withdrawal or obtaining a lesser degree.

Time to completion and cost are not estimates of individual experience and will vary based on individual factors applicable to the student. Factors may be programmatic or academic such as tuition and fee increases and/or the student’s transfer credits accepted by Walden; program or specialization changes; unsuccessful course completion; credit load per term; writing, research and editing skills; use of external data for their doctoral study/dissertation; and/or individual progress in the program. Other factors may include personal issues such as the student’s employment obligations; care giving responsibilities or health issues; part-time vs. full-time enrollment; leaves of absence; and/or other personal circumstances.

Tuition and fees are subject to change. Books and materials are not included. Students may incur additional costs for remedial writing assistance, if necessary.

^This assumes students successfully complete their coursework on the first attempt.

^† Based on a 2.5-year minimum completion requirement and an 8-year maximum timeframe as outlined in Walden academic policy.

*Tuition and fees will be higher if students petition to extend the 8-year maximum timeframe or choose to take more expensive elective courses.

+Tuition and time to complete may be reduced if transfer credits are accepted, or if you receive grants, scholarships or other tuition discounts. For a personalized estimate of the number of your transfer credits that Walden would accept, call an Enrollment Specialist at 844-642-0198.

General Program and Specializations

Choose the path is right for you:

TRACK I: Choose this track if you have a master's degree in criminal justice or a related field.

TRACK II: Choose this track if you have a master's degree in a discipline other than criminal justice

Program Outcomes

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:

Career options may require additional experience, training, or other factors beyond the successful completion of this degree program.

Learning Outcomes

As a graduate of Walden’s online PhD in Criminal Justice program, you will be prepared to:

Resources