Ph.D.Criminal Justice (Doctoral)

Develop the ability to consume and independently produce empirical research on crime and criminal justice.

Are you interested in applying theoretical expertise and methodological rigor to explore critical social problems? With a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in criminal justice from Texas State, students gain the skills necessary to conduct high-quality scholarly research in their chosen area of study.

Course Work

Our faculty and staff assist students in developing a degree plan that meets their individual career and academic goals. Each plan features a mix of substantive and methodological courses. Required courses include:

• Advanced Criminological Theory
• Applied Statistics & Quantitative Data Analysis
• Linear Regression for Criminal Justice Research
• Quantitative Research Methods

Students complete a minimum of 39 hours of course work and 12 hours of dissertation research. Most courses are offered in the evening to accommodate working professionals studying part-time.

Program Details

The doctoral program is part of the School of Criminal Justice and Criminology, which houses a thriving student body. Full-time doctoral faculty members are involved in a wide range of research activities.

Program Mission

The School of Criminal Justice and Criminology produces and disseminates knowledge through high-quality teaching, research, and service with a focus on empowering students and professionals to improve the criminal justice.

Career Options

Since 2009, more than 40 students have received their doctorates through our School. Many of our graduates are leaders in criminal justice and criminology research. Potential positions include:

• Assistant professor
• Criminal justice consultant
• Director of research
• Postdoctoral research associate
• Research analyst

Program Faculty

All students are provided the opportunity to initiate, complete, present, and publish original research, under the mentorship of our School's large and internationally-known faculty. The School boasts over twenty graduate faculty, and is associated with several research centers, including:

• The Advanced Law Enforcement Rapid Response Training (ALERRT) Center
• The Center for Geospatial Intelligence and Investigation (GIi)
• The Texas School Safety Center (TxSSC)

Many of our faculty are experts in the field. Some of their specializations include:

• Communities and crime
• Corrections and military veterans
• Criminal and juvenile courts
• Criminological theory
• Gangs
• Geospatial data analysis
• Immigration
• Offender decision-making
• Police-community relations
• Quantitative research methods
• Race, ethnicity, and social class
• School-to-prison pipeline
• Sex crimes
• Wrongful convictions

Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.