Program Overview
The Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Policy Studies program equips students with research and academic skills to become scholars in criminal justice policy studies. The program includes core classes, core area electives, other electives, and dissertation work. Graduates are prepared for careers as college/university professors, researchers, and policy analysts.
Program Outline
Outline:
Program Content
The Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Policy Studies program emphasizes research and academic pursuits in criminal justice policy studies. It equips students with the knowledge and skills to become competent scholars in creating, studying, and evaluating criminal justice policies. Graduates are prepared for careers as college/university professors, researchers for public and private organizations, and policy analysts.
Program Structure
The program comprises 45 credit hours of coursework beyond a master's degree, including:
- 4 core classes
- 9-15 credits of core area electives
- 0-6 credits of other electives
- 18 credits of dissertation work
Course Schedule
The program is typically completed in 2 years. Courses are offered in a variety of formats, including traditional face-to-face, online, and hybrid.
Individual Modules
Core Classes
- CJ 701: Proseminar in Criminal Justice Policy Studies
- CJ 702: Advanced Criminal Justice Statistics
- CJ 703: Advanced Criminological Theory & Policy
- CJ 704: Advanced Criminal Justice Policy Studies
Core Area Electives
Criminal Justice System & Issues
- CJ 621: Seminar in Law Enforcement
- CJ 622: Seminar in Courts and Sentencing
- CJ 623: Seminar in Corrections
- CJ 630: Seminar in Homeland Security Operations
- CJ 641: Transnational Crime
- CJ 642: Cyber Crime & Cybersecurity
- CJ 643: Legal Issues in Criminal Justice
- CJ 646: Special Topics in Criminal Justice
Methods, Data, & Analysis
- CJ 661: Criminal Justice Policy Analysis
- CJ 664: GIS and Crime Mapping Analysis
- CJ 659: Data Management & Data Science
- CJ 666: Big Data Analytics
- CJ 667: Qualitative Research Design & Analysis
- CJ 668: Analytic Writing
- CJ 669: Grant Writing
- CJ 663: Special topics in Methods, Data, & Analysis
Policy Studies
- CJ 620: Criminal Justice in American Society: Policy & Practice
- CJ 681: Law & Public Policy
- CJ 682: Comparative Criminal Justice Systems & Policy
- CJ 683: Policy, Politics, and Leadership in Criminal Justice
- CJ 684: Policy Issues in Criminal Justice
- CJ 687: Policy Development & Implementation
- CJ 686: Ethics & Criminal Justice Policy
- CJ 648: Special Topics in Policy Studies
Other Electives
- CJ 749: Advanced Independent Study
Dissertation (18 credits)
- CJ 797: Dissertation
Assessment:
Students are assessed through a variety of methods, including:
- Examinations
- Papers
- Presentations
- Research projects
- Teaching evaluations
- Dissertation defense
Teaching:
The program is taught by a faculty of experienced and highly qualified professors. Teaching methods include:
- Lectures
- Discussions
- Simulations
- Research projects
- Independent study
Careers:
Graduates of the program are qualified for a variety of careers in criminal justice, including:
- College/university professor
- Researcher
- Policy analyst
- Crime analyst
- Intelligence analyst
- Homeland security specialist
- Correctional administrator
- Law enforcement administrator
