Online Criminal Justice Doctorate Degree Programs

Online criminal justice doctorate degree programs are offered in a variety departments and colleges such as forensic psychology, criminal justice, public policy, homeland security, etc.

The goal of the online doctor of criminal justice is to arm students with the knowledge and skills that are necessary to be effective professionals. This includes having solid empirical, theoretical, and ethical knowledge which is needed to comprehend and tackle the reasons why crimes occur, and also how the criminal justice system operates. To complete a doctorate degree in takes at least four or five years. During the program of study, online PhD criminal justice students take required courses, complete comprehensive exams, engage in internship if the particular program requires it, and also collect data and write a dissertation. The online PhD programs in criminal justice require candidates to conduct independent research and analyze empirical data they collect as part of the research mentoring process. In many cases, candidates for the online PhD in criminal justice might need to have previous related professionals experience in areas like criminology, law enforcement, and legal administration.

Selected Criminal Justice Doctoral Specializations

Capella University - Online

• School of public service Leadership - Criminal Justice specialization
• Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Safety Leadership

Walden University

• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Criminal Justice
• Ph.D. in Human Services - Criminal Justice
• Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration - Criminal Justice
• Ph.D. in Human Services - Criminal Justice

University of the Rockies

• Doctor of Psychology - Criminology and Justice Studies

Northcentral University

• Doctor of Business Administration - Criminal Justice
• Doctor of Philosophy in Business Administration - Criminal Justice

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Criminal Justice Education and Training

Online PhD in criminal justice students are encouraged to communicate with the peers in their courses or research teams. This occurs via asynchronous and synchronous formats. Completing an online doctor of criminal justice degree means you will be able to examine the profession from a more analytical and critical perspective.

Other areas of study in criminal justice doctorate programs may include the legal aspects of the administration of justice including organizational theory that includes budgeting, finance and human resource management. Areas of concentration in the criminal justice doctorate are: Forensic Science, criminal justice administration and management, law enforcement, corrections, and homeland security.

Ceremonial Justice Courses

The criminal justice program of study may vary program but candidates may be required to take courses in forensic psychology, public policy, forensic science, cyber security, criminal justice ethics, research methods, criminology, and theory of crime.

This is often to the advantage of those who have a background in areas such as political science, law, sociology, forensic psychology, etc as they are already familiar with the field. Other courses may include research methodology, crime and public policy, criminal justice ethics, theories of crime, juvenile delinquency, comparative criminology, international criminology, and victims’ justice.

Careers in Criminal Justice

There are various areas of practice with an advanced criminal justice degree including teaching in higher education, leadership and management positions, consulting opportunities, working as a criminologists, public policy, criminal justice research, and law enforcement to mention a few. Other areas of employment include forensic sciences and crime scene investigation as well as working in local, county, state, and federal government in areas like crime analysis, forensics, and homeland security.

Estimated Income and Projected Career Growth

There are many positions with a criminal justice doctorate and the levels of income also vary. Some positions include CIA Agent. The United States Bureau of Labor statistics reports the median annual salary for CIA agents to be around $50,000. Crime scene investigators earn an annual salary of $40,618 to $77,029. FBI Agent make $52,000 to $100,000 annually. Forensic psychologist who make $68,400 to $115,720, while college professors earn an annual average wage of $62,750.