Ranked in the top-10 nationwide by US News and World Report, the doctoral program in Criminal Justice is designed to provide students with a command of criminological theory, research methods, and criminal justice policy; as well as in-depth knowledge in areas of specialization within criminology and/or criminal justice.

Graduates of the PhD program in Criminal Justice will be prepared to make significant contributions to the understanding and study of crime and justice. Students will be prepared to pursue careers in academia and the public sector, as well as in research organizations that focus on the study of crime and its impact on individuals, families, and communities. Graduates of the program will be prepared to conduct independent, original research and to produce high-quality scholarship.

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The doctoral degree is awarded based on evidence that the candidate has achieved a high level of proficiency in independent scholarship and research. This is assessed through course grades, the comprehensive exam, the production of a publishable quality empirical paper, and successful defense of the dissertation.