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A Online PhD Criminal Justice program is the highest possible degree you can achieve in the field. This specialization provides insight into how criminal justice agencies work. You will gain an in-depth understanding of the legal system, criminal behavior, as well as prevention and implementation policies that help improve the overall safety of the community. If you are interested in expanding our understanding of criminal behavior and how to deal with it this may be a degree that you should pursue. Graduates with this degree often achieve high-level academic positions or work in research, consulting firms, or public policy groups. They make significant contributions to a wide variety of criminal justice-related organizations. Passionate about law, government, history or public administration? Learn from a faculty of professors, practitioners, and legal scholars who will equip you with the knowledge, training and resources to position you for success so you can make a difference in our nation and world. Those who specialize in a PhD in criminal justice typically find themselves working with a lot of theory and research. A lot of the focus is usually on understanding the criminal mind. It’s can be a fascinating area of study, but certainly not for the faint-hearted! You will need excellent research skills, the ability to deal with the less savory aspects of the human condition, and a keen ability to get into the minds of others. Good criminal justice majors understand psychology and sociology. Sociology, forensics, history, and psychology are the focus of many criminal justice classes. All of this can help prepare you for real-world scenarios. Teaching, policymaking, and research are typical career paths for those with a doctorate in criminal justice.
Best Online PhD
Criminal Justice
When selecting the Best Online Criminal Justice PhD Programs, you need to decide what factors are important to you. At FBD (Find Best Degrees) we looked at accreditation, the cost of tuition, the department’s reputation, student support, financial aid, and graduation and/or job placement rates. (Click here for a more detailed look at our methodology.)
The online doctorate in criminal justice (also called the DCJ) will become the pinnacle of your university career. To help you make the right decision, here is our ranking of the Best Online Criminal Justice PhD Programs: *
Universities and programs are ranked by various factors, such as affordability, curriculum and coursework, reputation and availability, program length, statistics, the potential of employment, and return on investment for the students. For a more in-depth analysis, please read about our rankings methodology page.
Find Online PhD Criminal
Justice Near Me
The Internet has definitely changed the way universities and colleges dispense their knowledge. With so many institutions offering Online Criminal Justice PhD programs, you no longer have to worry about finding a college or university near you. Now, even the most prestigious universities come to you by way of the World Wide Web.
When you are selecting the best online schools that allow you to pursue a DCJ, it is important to consider several key factors. Once again, we have done most of the heavy lifting for you by providing the list below. If you are searching for a local institution, just enter the location and we’ve got you covered. Take a look at our list below to find a criminal justice degree in your preferred geographic area.
What to expect from the Online PhD Criminal
Justice Program?
Areas of Specialization for Online
PhD Criminal Justice
Available Specializations in a DCJ program (Doctorate in Criminal Justice) might include:
| Area of Specialization | Description | Careers This Concentration Prepares For |
|---|---|---|
| Homeland Security, DCJ / PhD in Homeland Security | The Department of Homeland Security was created as a direct result of the 9/11 terror attacks. Working for At times, criminologists aid in actual investigations and play a role in the apprehension of criminals, while in other cases they conduct research that leads to better law enforcement techniques. The term “criminologist” itself encompasses a variety of disciplines in the criminal investigation field.this department can be a rewarding and challenging job. Employees for the Department of Homeland Security work locally, on the state level, or nationally. If you opt to apply your skills at the Department of Homeland Security, you may also qualify for a career in a range of fields. | FBI Agent, Secret Service Agent, Policy Analyst, or DEA Agent |
| Policing/Law Enforcement, DCJ / PhD in Law Enforcement | When most people think of jobs that they can get with a PhD in Criminal Justice, law enforcement is the first thing that comes to mind. While you don’t need a doctorate to be a police officer or security guard, it can help if you want to work in the top levels of law enforcement. | Many people who have their doctorate in criminal justice work managing teams of people, or specialized roles like investigator or detective. You might also work in forensics, which requires a considerable degree of criminal justice expertise, as well as an understanding of science. Forensic scientists and technicians are the ones who piece together crime scenes and find culprits. |
Organizational Leadership, DCJ / Public Administration, DCJ | There were 17,200 forensic science technicians in 2019, according to the BLS, and employment is projected to grow 16% through 2030. They work in police departments, crime labs, morgues, and medical examiners’ offices. Forensics experts may have their own private practices, or they may work primarily in police departments or within the legal system. | In a 2009 blog post, the American Psychological Association calls forensic psychology a “postgrad growth area” and points out that the demand for forensic psychologists is greater than the supply. Job growth for information security analysts is estimated at 33% by the BLS through 2030, because as computer and cybercrime continues to grow, there should be job opportunities in computer forensics in both the legal system, and in corporations large and small for the foreseeable future. If you want to become a psychologist, you’ll need a doctorate (PhD or PsyD), and it’ll take at least four additional years of full-time study, depending on your program. As part of your requirements, you’ll also need to do a supervised internship and/or professional residency. |
Why should I do an Online PhD
Criminal Justice?
Free Courses for Online PhD
Criminal Justice
There are many free online criminal justice courses, but finding a completely free, legitimate degree is harder. However, a free online criminal justice certificate can definitely get you started in the right direction if you want to pursue a degree in that field.
The introduction of MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses) and other free online courses has radically changed the way higher education courses are delivered, and criminal justice is no different. There is a myriad of free introductory and advanced courses in criminal justice. Online classes for criminal justice include history, policy, theory, and ethics and by starting to study these topics, the student will get a better understanding of what criminal justice is all about.
Here are three sources for free online courses in Criminal Justice:
Criminal Justice Degree Hub – TOP 25 FREE ONLINE CRIMINAL JUSTICE MOOC COURSES FOR 2020
They list courses by Coursera, EdX, University of Leeds, and University of York
Coursera – Hot Topics in Criminal Justice
An American MOOC provider. They offer free online courses, many of them led by top colleges or companies like Google. Learners can access all course materials and there’s a small fee for a certificate of completion.
“As a way of thinking about dealing with these problems, this course examines two over-arching issues: What should we do with people who have committed crime, and how should we identify who they are?”
edX – The Psychology of Criminal Justice
An American (MOOC) provider created by Harvard and MIT. It hosts online university-level courses in a wide range of disciplines to a worldwide student body, including some courses at no charge.
“Learn how behavioral science can improve our criminal justice system.”
How to get into the Online PhD Criminal
Justice program?
As with any university program there are requirements that need to be met when applying to a DCJ program:
- Official transcript(s) – Request official transcript(s) from all institution(s) that you have previously attended. Some universities may even pay the transcript fee for you.
- Applicable test scores – You may be required to submit scores from graduate admission tests such as the GRE (Graduate Record Examination), GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test), LSAT (Law School Admission Test. Not all institutions will require test scores.
- Completed online application – A prerequisite to all other requirements.
- Employment history – Make sure your resumé, or curriculum vitae, highlights any criminal justice work you have done.
- List of transfer credits – If you have taken graduate level courses, you may be able to save money by transferring up to 50% of your required credits.
How long does it take to complete the Online PhD
Criminal Justice Program?
One Year Programs for Online PhD
Criminal Justice
Accreditation For Online PhD Criminal
Justice Programs
Doctorate in Criminal Justice (DCJ) Vs PhD
Degree in Criminology
If you earn a doctoral degree, you are considered a scholar and expert in your field of study. Even though these two fields (a Doctorate in Criminal Justice and a PhD Degree in Criminology) sound quite similar, they are actually two different fields.
A doctorate in criminal justice (DCJ) degree can be considered either professional or academic (also referred to as research-based) and indicates that you have advanced knowledge in that field.
A Doctor of Philosophy degree, or Ph.D., in Criminology is only categorized as an academic field. The knowledge acquired for this degree is associated with field-related research.
Another difference between the two degrees is the dissertation. Both disciplines require a dissertation, but for the DCJ, the dissertation is only reviewed and assessed. The dissertation for the PhD Degree in Criminology must be published as well. This publication occurs in a peer-reviewed academic journal related to the field which, in this case, would be a journal that revolves around criminal justice theory or practice.
How to Pay for Online PhD Criminal
Justice programs?
FAQs about Online PhD Criminal
Justice Programs
Is It Worth Getting A PhD In Criminal Justice?
How Much Does A Doctorate In Criminal Justice Cost?
What college has the best Criminal Justice program?
Can you get a Criminal Justice degree online?
Criminology and Criminal Justice the same?
Career Opportunities and Salaries after Online PhD
Criminal Justice programs
A doctorate in criminal justice prepares candidates for an academic position. Criminal justice educators facilitate discussions on topics that include law enforcement administration, investigation techniques, and defensive policing.
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the annual median salaries for the jobs listed below. All of these jobs are popular professions for those with criminal justice careers, and many of them have outstanding advancement opportunities.
| Careers | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Information Security Analysts | $103,590 |
| Police Lieutenants | $92,970 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $86,940 |
| Criminologists | $86,110 |
| Emergency Management Directors | $76,250 |
| Criminal Justice University Professors | $63,560 |
| Forensic Science Technicians | $60,590 |
| Trade School Teachers | $59,140 |
| Judicial Law Clerks | $57,510 |
Certifications and Licensing for Online PhD
Criminal Justice programs
Additional Resources for Online PhD Criminal
Justice program Students
Disclaimer:
The average tuition (based on degree type for in-state students), average graduation rates, and rankings are based on data from various sources, including the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), and are variable over time. All rankings and statistics are subject to change. The rankings are solely the opinion of Find Best Degrees (FBD) and are based on our proprietary methodology. They do not represent the views of the institutions or organizations mentioned, nor do they represent any official government census or survey. Furthermore, any views or opinions expressed on this page are of FBD’s researchers and teams. Unless otherwise specified, they do not represent the thoughts and opinions of the individuals, institutions, or organizations mentioned. This page’s content is provided solely for informational purposes, with data drawn from various sources, including IPEDS. FBD and its employees make no guarantees regarding the accuracy or completeness of any information found on this page or by following any link. FBD will not be held liable for any errors or omissions in this material nor any losses, injuries, or damages resulting from the exposure or use of this information. Although the information on this page is/was correct at the time of publication, readers should exercise caution because some or all of the provided information may have changed over time, potentially resulting in inaccuracies. For more information, please read our Terms of Service. Trademarks and logos are the property of their registered owners. | Page last updated: Dec 2023.