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PhD in Criminal Justice
Self-Designed

Prepare to lead the positive change you want to see in the field with a customized path to your doctorate.

Learn How You Can Save Time and Money on Your Degree

Fill out the form to speak with an enrollment specialist.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Current Step 1: About You
  • Step 2: Contact Information
""

PhD in Criminal Justice
Self-Designed

Learn How You Can Save Time and Money on Your Degree

Fill out the form to speak with an enrollment specialist.

Please use our International Form if you live outside of the U.S.

  • Current Step 1: About You
  • Step 2: Contact Information
""
PERSONALIZE YOUR LEARNING

Focus on the topics that matter most to you. In the Self-Designed PhD in Criminal Justice specialization, select any three courses that best meet your personal and professional interests. Choose from courses in leadership, law and policy, or the psychology of crime.

3 MINUTE QUIZ

Build an Education Plan, Suited for You

Create and download your comprehensive plan with scholarships, financial aid, credit transfer, and more!

3 MINUTE QUIZ

Build an Education Plan, Suited for You

Create and download your comprehensive plan with scholarships, financial aid, credit transfer, and more!

Program Details

A Path for You

Whether you have a master’s in criminal justice or another field, the Self-Designed PhD in Criminal Justice specialization has an option for you.

 

Track 1
CurriculumRequirementsCostTotal *
Tuition-Coursework63 quarter credits $690 per quarter hour for coursework credits$43,470^
Tuition-Dissertation 20–130 quarter credits$690 per quarter hour for dissertation credits$13,800–$89,700*
Program Fee $180 per quarter$1,980–$5,760*
Residency FeeFour Residencies$1,420 (virtual)             

$1,520 (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional)
$5,680$6,080
Estimated Range:  2.5-Year8-Year
   $64,930$145,010*+
   (assuming completion in a 2.5-year timeframe)(assuming completion in an 8-year timeframe)

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 or 3-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.

Track 2
CurriculumRequirementsCostTotal *
Tuition-Coursework78 quarter credits $690 per quarter hour for coursework credits$53,820^
Tuition-Dissertation 20-120 quarter credits$690 per quarter hour for dissertation credits$13,800–$82,800*
Program Fee $180 per quarter$2,160–$5,760*
Residency FeeFour Residencies$1,420 (virtual)

$1,520 (in-person: travel, lodging and other expenses are additional)
$5,680–6,080
Estimated Range:  3-Year8-Year
   $75,460$148,460*+
   (assuming completion in a 3-year timeframe)(assuming completion in a 8-year timeframe)

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 2.75-year or 3-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.

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

Impact the Field

With a PhD in Criminal Justice with a Self-Designed specialization, you’ll be ready to pursue roles in law enforcement leadership and academia and positively impact the future of the field.

 

1Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023) 
2Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics | Job outlook | Estimated wage (as of May 2023)

No guarantee is made that a person who enrolls in the PhD in Criminal Justice program will obtain a job or will earn the stated salaries. Wage estimates are based on the 10th–75th percentile.

Meet Your Academic Team

Our faculty features subject matter experts who blend cutting-edge research with real-world experience to guide your doctoral journey.

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Our faculty features subject matter experts who blend cutting-edge research with real-world experience to guide your doctoral journey.

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