PhD in Criminal Justice Pursue Excellence in Justice
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Degree Options
100% online, 8-week courses
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Be a Leader in the Criminal Justice Field with Liberty University’s PhD in Criminal Justice
Are you an experienced law enforcement professional? If so, Liberty’s online PhD in Criminal Justice can help prepare you for senior leadership roles in criminal justice organizations at all levels of government.
Through advanced research and analysis of criminal justice practices, you can learn how to assess and improve government and law enforcement organizations. This doctorate can also help you master techniques in teaching and leadership. Liberty’s PhD in Criminal Justice provides you with training from experienced criminal justice scholars. Our curriculum is also centered on Christian principles so you can become an effective leader of integrity.
With our program, you can gain the right skills and expertise for your career goals. Liberty offers a general PhD in Criminal Justice as well as specialized areas of study in leadership and homeland security. With the Helms School of Government’s faculty of criminal justice professionals, you can learn from industry experts who are excited to share their experience with you.
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What is a PhD in Criminal Justice?
A PhD in Criminal Justice is a doctoral program that focuses on various high-level aspects of the field. Here are some of the topics that are included in Liberty University’s criminal justice doctorate:
- Corrections policy
- Juvenile justice policy
- Terrorism and intelligence
- Theories of crime
- Transnational organized crime
Additionally, you will focus on management and leadership skills specific to criminal justice, including stress management, organizational conflict, and program evaluation. Your coursework will also include a dissertation where you will write on a unique topic within criminal justice to help you hone your expertise.
What Will You Study in Our PhD in Criminal Justice Online Degree?
Our PhD in Criminal Justice courses can offer you advanced knowledge in a wide range of critical issues. These topics include crime causation, comparative criminal justice systems, juvenile justice policies, and advanced corrections policies. You will also study international crime and terrorism to gain expertise in the global impact of organized crime.
Featured Courses
Degree Information
- This program falls under the Helms School of Government.
- View the Graduate Government Course Guides (login required).
Why Choose Liberty’s Online Degree?
Liberty University provides training for leaders in the criminal justice field – all from a uniquely Christian perspective. Our criminal justice law instructors have real-world experience in the field and understand the critical issues found within it. You can excel in your field without compromising your principles with the advanced training you will gain in our online PhD in Criminal Justice degree program.
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Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America
What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Potential Careers for PhD in Criminal Justice Graduates
- Crime scene investigation unit manager
- Criminal justice writer
- Detective/investigator
- Forensic investigator
- Lead detective/investigator
- Lead/senior researcher
- Manager (federal, state, or local government)
- Police chief or sheriff
- Polygraph examiner/operator
- Prison warden
- Professor/instructor
- Public policy advisor
- Researcher
- Security analyst
- Threat analyst
- University administrator (department chair, dean, chancellor)
Degree Options for the Online Criminal Justice PhD
There are several specializations to choose from in the PhD in Criminal Justice.
Generalized Track (No Specialization)
Liberty’s 100% online PhD in Criminal Justice – generalized track* is the most flexible of the 3 PhD in Criminal Justice specializations offered at Liberty University. With this program, you can choose specific courses and shape your criminal justice PhD to your specific needs.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
*Please note that this is not a specialization. Any reference using the term “General” is the main degree and is only used to differentiate from other specializations.
Homeland Security
Liberty’s 100% online PhD in Criminal Justice – Homeland Security focuses on the threats our nation faces from terrorism, cybercrime, and weapons of mass destruction attacks. You can also learn how to lead risk assessment and response teams and strategize overcoming weaknesses in specific targets, cities, or regions.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
Leadership
Liberty’s 100% online Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Criminal Justice – Leadership degree focuses on the principles and practices of administrating large and diverse criminal justice organizations. You can also master critical skills in strategic planning and human resources development for the criminal justice field.
View the Degree Completion Plan.
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Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.
Doctoral Full Time | $595/Credit |
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Doctoral Part Time | $650/Credit |
Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour (learn more).
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for the PhD in Criminal Justice
Admission Requirements
- Apply online or over the phone with an admissions counselor by calling (800) 424-9596.
- A non-refundable, non-transferable $50 application fee will be posted on the current application upon enrollment (waived for qualifying service members, veterans, and military spouses – documentation verifying military status is required).
- Send official college transcripts (mailed as sealed, unopened copies or sent via a direct electronic transcript system). A regionally or nationally accredited master’s degree with at least a 3.0 GPA is required for admission in good standing.
- Applicants whose native language is other than English must submit official scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an approved alternative assessment. For information on alternative assessments or TOEFL waivers, please call Admissions or view the official International Admissions policy.
Preliminary Acceptance
If you are sending in a preliminary transcript for acceptance, you must:
- Be in your final term and planning to start your doctoral degree after the last day of class for your master’s degree.
- Complete a Master’s Self-Certification Form confirming your completion date. You may download the form from the Forms and Downloads page or contact an admissions counselor to submit the form on your behalf.
- Submit an official transcript to confirm that you are in your final term. The preliminary transcript must show that you are within 6 credit hours of completion for a 30-48 credit hour master’s degree or within 9 credit hours of completion for a 49+ credit hour master’s degree.
- Send in an additional, final official transcript with a conferral date on it by the end of your first semester of enrollment in the new doctoral degree.
Transcript Policies
Official College Transcript Policy
An acceptable official college transcript is one that has been issued directly from the institution and is in a sealed envelope. If you have one in your possession, it must meet the same requirements. If your previous institution offers electronic official transcript processing, they can send the document directly to luoverify@liberty.edu.
Admissions Office Contact Information
Liberty University Online Admissions Verification
1971 University Blvd.
Lynchburg, VA 24515
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
Military Tuition Discount
We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour. Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I get a PhD in Criminal Justice?
While there may be other institutions that offer criminal justice PhD programs, we believe that Liberty University’s program can best fit your needs. You can earn your degree through Liberty while completing all of your coursework and dissertation online from the comfort of your home or office.
Are there resources available to online students?
By pursuing one of Liberty University’s online PhD programs in criminal justice, you will have access to a wide variety of online resources through the library portal.
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Will You Study?
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Potential Careers
- Specializations
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
- FAQs
Have questions?