criminology phd programs usa

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Criminology, PhD

Penn's highly interdisciplinary Ph.D. in criminology combines the traditional concerns of criminologists with concepts, theories, and empirical research from a wide variety of academic disciplines. The program seeks to produce scholars of unusual breadth who can work creatively in academic or policy settings.

Working closely with faculty, students are encouraged to design their own curriculum and begin research very early in their graduate education. That curriculum will include several core courses taken in the first and second year. These include two courses in criminological theory, two courses in criminal justice policy, and two semesters of graduate level statistics.

For more information: http://crim.sas.upenn.edu/graduate

View the University’s Academic Rules for PhD Programs .

A minimum of 9 course units are required. Additional courses may be selected in consultation with student faculty advisor and graduate group chair.

The degree and major requirements displayed are intended as a guide for students entering in the Fall of 2024 and later. Students should consult with their academic program regarding final certifications and requirements for graduation.

A student who enters the Ph.D. program with a Bachelors degree will usually take 3 course units in each semester in their first two years and must complete all course requirements by the end of their third year.  All students must take 3 CUs in each semester to remain registered as full-time students.

After having completed the substantive, class-based course requirements, they normally fulfill remaining CUs by registering for CRIM 9999 Independent Study and Research .  They will also have passed the Candidacy Examination by the end of their second year. Students who enter with a Master's degree or other transfer credit may satisfy the formal course requirements more quickly. However, the Graduate Group Chair in conjunction with the student’s research supervisor has the flexibility to establish the optimal requirements for students. 

The customary maximum load for a Ph.D. student is four course units each semester; exceptions for a fifth course unit may be made in extraordinary cases upon approval of the Graduate Dean. The Graduate Group may establish examination requirements in addition to the University’s standards.

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Criminology, Law and Society Ph.D. program

​​ The Ph.D. program in Criminology, Law and Society is ranked #2 in the US News and World Reports rankings. The program focuses on the causes, manifestations, and consequences of crime; the impacts of crime on society; social regulation; the civil justice system; the social and cultural contexts of law; and the interactive effects of law and society. With high-caliber faculty and an interdisciplinary perspective, the program aims to develop students’ theoretical and methodological sophistication to prepare them for faculty positions at major universities and colleges or for research, training, and administrative work in the justice system.   

Program Overview

In this doctoral program, students must pass nine (9) required courses and four (4) electives, all with a grade of B or higher. For a description of the following courses and others, please visit the UCI Course Catalogue .

Students are also required to complete a Second Year Project, pass comprehensive examinations (comps), prepare & defend a dissertation proposal, and prepare & defend a dissertation.

Second Year Project/Master's Thesis

Beginning in their first year, students initiate independent research projects under faculty supervision. Approaches to research vary widely and may include questionnaire and survey analysis, systematic field observation, computer simulation, archival searches, ethnographies, oral histories, and legal analysis. This project is further expanded on and completed during the second year. This Second Year Project is designed to introduce students to developing their own research projects and writing for an academic audience. The report of the Second Year Project should be comparable in scope and format to articles that appear in leading journals within the field of criminology, law and society. Each project is evaluated and approved by the advisor and one other faculty member.

Students may submit the written report of their Second Year Project as a Master's Thesis for an M.A. in Social Ecology. For the Ph.D. degree, however, an M.A. is not required, and most students move directly to the completion of the doctoral requirements.

Comprehensive Exams

The comprehensive examination (comps) is an untimed take-home written exam consisting of two essays, to be completed in the third year of graduate study. The goal of comps is to allow graduate students to demonstrate mastery of major theoretical, substantive, and methodological issues in both criminology and law & society. The examination consists of two sections – criminology, and law & society. Beginning in 2021, students must complete the exam by the first day of classes in the Winter Quarter of their third year (adjusted for any Leaves of Absence), and must pass all sections of the exam by the last day of classes in Winter Quarter of their third year (adjusted for any Leaves of Absence). Students who do not pass one or both sections on the first attempt will retake the failed section(s) in the subsequent quarter. Students are allowed to take the exam twice, but must pass all sections according to this timeline.

Dissertation

During the fourth year of study, students draft and defend a proposal for dissertation research. The proposal is developed under the guidance of a faculty advisor, and clearly presents the research questions, theories, and methods which will inform the doctoral dissertation project. Once students complete the proposal, they must defend the proposal to a committee comprised of the faculty advisor and four other faculty members. Upon approval of the defense, the student will advance to candidacy for the Ph.D. Students generally complete the proposal defense by the end of the fourth year.

Once students have advanced to candidacy, they spend their remaining time at UCI completing data collection and analysis for their dissertation. Following the completion of the written dissertation, students must orally defend their project to a committee comprised of the faculty advisor and two other faculty members. The dissertation defense usually occurs in the fifth or sixth year. Upon passage of the oral defense and approval of the committee, the student has completed all of the requirements of the Ph.D. program.

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Program Learning Outcomes

Graduate Student Emphases

UCI offers graduate students the opportunity to earn emphases in several substantive areas. Many of our students earn one or more of these emphases, and several of our faculty are associated with the emphases-granting departments.

Asian American Studies

This graduate emphasis is a formal component of graduate studies at the University of California, Irvine, in addition to the fulfillment of requirements towards the Ph.D. or M.F.A. degree in an array of fields in the Schools of Humanities, Social Sciences, Social Ecology, and the Arts. Designed to complement existing graduate degree-granting programs by providing interdisciplinary training in Asian American Studies, this particular specialty is comprised of four courses: two foundation courses introducing theories, methods, and historical and contemporary special topics in Asian American Studies; one elective course in Asian American Studies; and one related elective course in a student’s specific discipline or area of study. Learn more...

Critical Theory Emphasis

The Critical Theory Emphasis (CTE) graduate specialty is the curricular arm of UCI's Critical Theory Institute (CTI). Scholars of Critical Theory explore and develop theoretical models to analyze and critique cultural forms from literature and art to more general systems of information, social relations, and symbolic categories of race, gender and ethnic identity. The goal of the CTE is to promote the study of shared assumptions, problems and commitments of the various discourses in the arts, humanities and social sciences. Learn more...

Graduate Feminist Emphasis

The Department of Gender and Sexuality Studies at UCI offers a graduate emphasis in Feminist Studies for students pursuing Ph.D. or Master's programs across the campus. Participating in the GFE provides students with advanced interdisciplinary training in Feminist Studies, and offers them an opportunity to become part a network of feminist scholars at UCI and beyond. GFE students are subscribed in our email listserv , which features current job openings, fellowship information, and important news about our upcoming events. Learn more...

Law, Society and Culture Emphasis

The Center for Law, Society and Culture sponsors the LSC Emphasis. This concentration is designed a) to instill an intellectual ethic on inter -disciplinarity among participating students early in their training and b) to create trans -disciplinary communities of emerging socio-legal scholars whose intellectual development is enhanced by formal and informal exchange across diverse fields. In the spring of each year, students in their first through third years of graduate study are invited to apply to the Emphasis, which is composed of 4 inter-connected components: 1) a year-long theory and research seminar, with each quarter taught by one faculty member from a different school at UCI; (2) cross-disciplinary mentorship and advising; (3) ongoing professionalization opportunities and responsibilities; and (4) a culminating intellectual project.  Each student is assigned a faculty mentor outside of his or her home department and will meet with that mentor on a monthly basis to discuss the student's ongoing research. Learn more...

Race and Justice Studies Emphasis

Students from any UCI state-supported graduate or professional program, including J.D., Master’s and M.F.A. students, are eligible to apply to the Emphasis in Race and Justice Studies (RJS), housed in the Department of Criminology, Law and Society (CLS). The Race and Justice Studies Emphasis is comprised of four requirements that promote inclusive excellence in graduate training at UCI: (1) A first-year mentorship proseminar offered over three quarters by faculty from across campus whose research and teaching foster inclusive excellence; (2) one RJS-approved course offered under the supervision of the Emphasis; (3) a writing seminar in which a paper developed through the Emphasis will be workshopped and revised toward publication; and (4) a public presentation which translates the student’s RJS-influenced research for an interdisciplinary audience. Learn more...

Visual Studies

The Emphasis in Visual Studies offers a focus on Visual Studies available to Ph.D. and M.F.A. students in all departments at UCI. Satisfactory completion of this concentration is certified by the Graduate Advisor in Visual Studies and is noted in the student's dossier. Learn more...

Research Centers

Students in the Ph.D. program often work with various Research Centers, including the Center for Evidence-Based Corrections , the Center in Law, Society and Culture , the Center for Psychology and Law , the Newkirk Center , the Irvine Lab for the Study of Space and Crime , and the Metropolitan Futures Initiative .

Financial Support

Students in the Ph.D. program have a variety of financial support options. The most common sources of support are Teaching Assistantships and Research Assistantships.

Research Assistantship. Many students work with faculty on research projects funded by external grants or university monies. As with Teaching Assistants, RAs generally work for up to 20 hours per week and are involved in a wide variety of research activities (e.g., data collection and analysis, article preparation, etc.). Compensation for RAs is roughly equivalent to that for a Teaching Assistant, and covers fees and tuition.

Teaching Assistantship. Ph.D. students in CLS are eligible for 12 quarters of support as a Teaching Assistant (TA), making this the most common means of financial support. TAs work up to 20 hours a week, are responsible for assisting the professor with many common classroom tasks (e.g., creating exams, grading papers, etc.), assist students understand course material and meet course requirements, and experience the opportunity to practice the art of teaching (usually through discussion sections and/or guest lecturing). To maintain their eligibility, students must be in good academic standing and must have a satisfactory record as a Teaching Assistant . Some students may even receive a TAship after this 12-quarter period (subject to CLS and Graduate Divivsion approval). A Teaching Assistantship is not only an important means of financial support (a monthly salary plus fees and tuition coverage), but the work also serves a vital role in training Ph.D. candidates, particularly those who intend to pursue academic careers.

Additional funding is available through student loans, departmental and university fellowships, and outside funding sources. In addition to support during the academic year, students are often able to secure research grants from the Department for the summer. These grants are allotted on the basis of academic standing and financial need.

Award Opportunities

Listed below are the CLS Department awards current students have the opportunitiy to be nominated or apply for.

• Arnold Binder Award
• Dickman Award
• Gil Geis Award
• Kitty Calavita Award
• Michelle Smith-Pontell Award
• Peer Mentoring Award

Graduate Student Housing

A number of housing alternatives are available for graduate students at UCI. Two apartment complexes and a residence hall are available exclusively for graduate students and those with families who wish to live on campus. In addition, there are many off-campus options, including apartments/houses at the beach or apartment complexes just across the street from the university. Due to their affordability and convenience, more than half of our graduate students choose to live on campus.

Among the on-campus options are Verano Place Apartments, Palo Verde Apartments, and Vista del Campo/VdC Norte. Verano Place includes 862 units which are one-, two-, or three-bedroom unfurnished apartments. Palo Verde is designed solely for graduate students and post-doctoral students, and consists of 204 apartments that range from studio to three-bedroom apartments. Vista del Campo is a privately owned and managed apartment community located on the UCI campus, offering furnished apartments to single students who are sophomores, juniors, seniors, or graduate students. For information on all of these housing options, please visit the UCI Housing website .

For more information, please contact:

Irice Castro Assistant Director of Graduate Student Services [email protected] 949-824-1874

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Academic Catalog 2023-2024

Criminology and justice policy, phd.

The doctoral program in criminology and justice policy at the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Northeastern University seeks to prepare students for professional and research careers in criminal justice, criminology, and related fields by applying multidisciplinary and comparative social science to understand, predict, and explain crime and contribute to the development of public policy within urban communities. Using an active-learning approach, the school seeks to develop its students intellectually and ethically, while providing them with a keen appreciation for the complexities of crime and public and private efforts to make communities safer and to ensure justice. 

The program is full time and is small and student centered. Students may enter the program with either a bachelor's degree or a master's degree. It is expected that students will be able to complete the program in four to five years, and students entering with a master's degree will be able to complete the program in three to five years.

Year one in the doctoral program offers students an opportunity to obtain a broad foundational knowledge in the discipline: one semester on theories of criminal justice process, two semesters of criminological theory, two semesters of statistics, and one semester of advanced research methods. To ensure that all students have mastered the foundational material emphasized across the required courses for the PhD program and can successfully integrate theory, research, and policy, all PhD students take a “foundations” qualifying examination at the end of their first year in the doctoral program.  

After demonstrating mastery of the foundational knowledge in year one, students devote themselves to a more specific area of research in years two and three. Students demonstrate this commitment through the second and third qualifying examinations: an area exam and a publishable paper.

Following successful completion of the three qualifying examinations, and required and elective course work, the students proceed to a formal dissertation proposal defense.

Doctoral Degree Candidacy

A student achieves candidacy when they have successfully completed all course work (54 semester hours for students entering with a bachelor's degree or 42 semester hours for students entering with advanced standing), passed all three qualifying examinations, and deposited the final version of their dissertation proposal (approved by their full committee) with the school’s graduate program office. Candidacy is certified, in writing, by the college.

Bachelor's Degree Entrance

Complete all courses and requirements listed below unless otherwise indicated.

Annual review Three qualifying examinations—foundations exam, area exam, and publishable paper Dissertation committee Dissertation proposal PhD candidacy Dissertation defense

Core Requirements

Dissertation

Program Credit/GPA Requirements

54 total semester hours required Minimum 3.500 GPA required

Advanced Degree Entrance

Annual review Three qualifying examinations—foundations exam, area exam, and publishable paper Dissertation committee Dissertation proposal Candidacy achieved Dissertation defense

42 total semester hours required Minimum 3.500 GPA required

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PhD Justice, Law & Criminology

You are here: american university school of public affairs phd programs phd justice, law & criminology.

PhD Justice, Law & Criminology (On-Campus)

Prepare for university teaching and research, and a career as an authority and leader in fields related to justice, law, criminology, and homeland security.

(202) 885-6230

[email protected]

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At the Epicenter of Effectiveness

The PhD in Justice, Law & Criminology in the School of Public Affairs draws from the breadth and depth of resources across American University. Our program is rooted in contemporary theory, principles, practices, and research methods in criminology, criminal justice, terrorism and homeland security studies, and legal studies. Students come here not only for the academics, but for the chance to work firsthand with experts in our nation's capital.

Our students organize their programs around two fields of study. Our department offers options in three fields: Justice, Law & Society, and Terrorism & Political Violence. PhD students select one of these as their primary field. Their secondary field may be one of the other two, or they can take courses in Political Methodology or Public Policy from other departments in the School of Public Affairs. Students also have the flexibility to select relevant coursework from other schools at AU, or to take courses in another PhD-granting department at AU or through the Consortium of Universities of the Washington Metropolitan Area, which includes George Washington University, Georgetown University, George Mason University, University of Maryland, and others.

Connection & Impact

SPA's PhD in Justice, Law & Criminology puts our students in the middle of one the best places to influence change in crime and policing, terrorism and homeland security, and the criminal justice system. They dive into research that addresses today's most pressing challenges and produce scholarship with real-world connection and immediate impact.

Each of our doctoral programs reflects values that guide the School of Public Affairs. We encourage engagement and discourse to influence policy makers; formulate critical thinking skills that are crucial to advancing lines of inquiry; cultivate strong leadership skills; prioritize evidence-based reasoning and analytics when addressing societal issues; and challenge the guideposts on equity, fairness, and inclusion to ground students in the institutions of justice and the rule of law. Along the way, we champion truth and self-awareness, as students undertake personal and professional journeys.

The PhD degree in Justice, Law & Criminology requires 36 credit hours of coursework.

All students must complete 12 credits of research design and methodology courses, 12 credits in their primary field of study, and 12 credits in their secondary field of study.

As work on the dissertation project progresses, students register for dissertation credit in order to maintain enrollment. They take Doctoral Continuing Enrollment (JLC-898) and Doctoral Dissertation (JLC-899) after their dissertation proposals are approved.

A minimum grade point average of 3.20 in all coursework is required to remain in good standing and to earn the degree. Full-time status is considered to be nine credit hours per semester.

Students advance to PhD candidacy by successfully completing all required courses, passing the oral qualifier and two written comprehensive exams (one in each of their fields of study), and defending their dissertation proposals. To earn the degree, students must pass a final oral defense of the dissertation.

More information about course requirements can be found here .

For more information, please contact the SPA Graduate Admissions Office at 202-885-6230 or [email protected] .

Applicants are considered and students admitted for the fall semester only. Please refer to the application deadlines page for the deadline to apply. 

While previous academic or professional work in justice, law, or criminology is not required, applicants need to demonstrate a serious commitment to a career in this field. The personal statement on reasons for pursuing graduate study in the program is essential, along with the other required application materials .

We accept PhD applicants for full-time study only. Students must be funded either by the School of Public Affairs or by an external sponsoring organization (self-funding is not permitted for newly-admitted doctoral students).

The PhD in Justice, Law & Criminology is a 36-credit-hour program for students who already have a related master’s degree. To estimate the cost of tuition, please see the current cost per credit hour for graduate students.

Unless applicants expect to be funded through a reliable external source, they must request consideration for funding on their application. Upon acceptance into the program, students selected for AU funding are granted a fellowship with full funding for four years of study, contingent on maintaining satisfactory progress each year, with opportunities for further funding available.

As a requirement for the fellowship, students work 20 hours a week with a faculty member. If at all possible, our graduate office will assign students to faculty members with expertise in their areas of research interest.

Students must advance to candidacy by the end of their third year of study to continue receiving funding and to maintain their enrollment.

• Justice, Law, & Criminology Department
• Curriculum & Requirements
• Program Handbook

90 percent of SPA graduates are employed or in graduate school, or both within six months of graduation

Criminology and Criminal Justice, PhD

• Program description
• At a glance
• Degree requirements
• Admission requirements
• Tuition information
• Application deadlines
• Program learning outcomes
• Career opportunities
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Advocacy, Corrections, Criminal Justice, Criminology, Justice, Police, Policing, Social Justice, Violence, law, sociology

Ranked No. 2 in the nation by U.S News & World Report, this doctoral program prepares you for success in numerous and varied professions. You can work with professors on innovative research projects exploring a range of important topics and study with world-renowned faculty.

The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at Arizona State University offers an on-campus program of coursework and research leading to the PhD in criminology and criminal justice.

This program emphasizes criminal justice theory, research and policy, and is designed to produce highly skilled criminology and criminal justice faculty and agency researchers and administrators.

The doctoral program is organized around a core of required courses in research methods, analytic techniques, criminological theory, and policies and practices in the criminal justice system. The program offers distinctive elective courses in criminology, criminal justice and related fields. To complete the program, students complete both a comprehensive examination and a doctoral dissertation.

• College/school: Watts College of Public Service & Community Solut
• Location: Downtown Phoenix

84 credit hours, a written comprehensive exam, a prospectus and a dissertation

Required Core (12 credit hours) CRJ 601 Seminar on Criminological Theory (3) CRJ 602 Seminar on Criminal Justice Policies and Practices (3) CRJ 604 Regression Models (3) CRJ 605 Topics in Quantitative Methods (3)

Theory Coursework (6 credit hours) CRJ 521 Topics in Psychological Criminology (3) CRJ 523 Seminar in Network Criminology (3) CRJ 524 Theories of Punishment (3) CRJ 525 Seminar on Life-course Criminology (3)

Criminal Justice Systems Coursework (9 credit hours) CRJ 512 Seminar in Policing (3) CRJ 513 Seminar in Courts and Sentencing (3) CRJ 514 Seminar in Corrections (3) CRJ 517 Seminar on Juvenile Delinquency and Juvenile Justice (3)

Criminal Procedures Coursework (3 credit hours) CRJ 537 Criminal Procedure of Investigations for Social and Forensic Scientists (3) CRJ 538 Criminal Law and Social Control (3) CRJ 539 Topics in Law, Crime and Justice (3)

Research Methods (6 credit hours) CRJ 510 Criminal Justice Planning and Program Evaluation (3) CRJ 531 Crime Mapping (3) CRJ 540 Qualitative Methods (3) CRJ 560 Topics in Research Methods (3)

Electives (36 credit hours)

Culminating Experience (12 credit hours) CRJ 799 Dissertation (12)

Additional Curriculum Information A maximum of 30 credit hours of coursework from a previously awarded master's degree or JD may, with approval of the supervisory committee and the Graduate College, be applied toward the doctoral plan of study.

For the theory, criminal justice systems, criminal procedures and research methods courses, students select the number of required credit hours from the list provided. Other courses may be substituted with approval of the academic unit.

The following professional development workshop courses are recommended but not required: CRJ 614 Professional Development Workshop I: Professionalization CRJ 615 Professional Development Workshop II: Preparing to Teach Effectively CRJ 616 Professional Development Workshop III: Navigating the Academic Job Market in CCJ

All students must demonstrate proficiency in research design as well as quantitative and qualitative methods.

Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and the Watts College of Public Service and Community Solutions.

Applicants will often hold a master's degree from an accredited institution; it may be in criminal justice, criminology or another field (e.g., sociology, political science, history, social work, public administration, psychology or philosophy). Our program also allows for direct admission into our doctoral program for highly qualified students with only a bachelor's degree; these students will earn their master's degree along the way to completing their doctoral degree.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.

All applicants must submit:

• graduate admission application and application fee
• official transcripts
• two letters of recommendation
• current curriculum vitae or resume
• personal statement
• sample of the applicant's written work
• proof of English proficiency.

Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency. Requirements can be found on the admission services website .

Official transcripts must be submitted from every university or institution from which a degree was awarded.

The letters of recommendation must be from faculty members or others qualified to evaluate the applicant's academic potential for doctoral study.

The personal statement should not exceed five pages, and it should describe the applicant's prior education, relevant professional experience and career goals. The statement must explain how the doctorate in criminology and criminal justice will help the applicant attain their goals. The statement should explicitly explain how the student's plans are consistent with the role and mission of the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at ASU.

The applicant's sample of written work should be submitted electronically. The writing sample may be an article (published or unpublished), a research paper or any other extended sample of expository skill, and the sample must be no longer than 35 pages. Longer writing samples should not be submitted without first consulting the graduate director. Documents should not be password protected. Acceptable file types are .rtf, .pdf, and .doc.

Students should see the unit website for application deadlines.

Program learning outcomes identify what a student will learn or be able to do upon completion of their program. This program has the following program outcomes:

• Apply appropriate theoretical principles and procedures to issues and problems at the frontiers of criminology and the criminal justice system.
• Select appropriate data collection and data analysis techniques for conducting criminology and criminal justice research.
• Able to conduct dissertation research resulting in an original contribution to knowledge in criminology and criminal justice.

Graduates of the criminology and criminal justice doctorate program find a strong job market in the public and private sectors. Employment opportunities include supervisory and management positions in criminal justice agencies (federal, state and local), policymaking, and teaching and research, such as:

• city, county and state government liaison to criminal justice agencies
• court administrator
• detective or investigator
• evidence and crime scene supervisor (CSI activities)
• forensic scientist
• intelligence analyst
• law enforcement or police crime analysis supervisor
• policy analyst
• probation, parole or community supervisor
• professor of criminal justice

Opportunities also include supervisory and management positions in social service agencies, such as:

• child and family services (e.g., Head Start, child support enforcement, foster care, elder care)
• Department of Economic Security
• homeless outreach
• victim advocacy

Graduates also have the opportunity to work in supervisory and management positions in the private sector, including online security, as well as in the cybersecurity sector.

School of Criminology and Criminal Justice | UCENT 600 [email protected] 602-496-2356

• University of Pennsylvania
• School of Arts and Sciences
• Penn Calendar

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Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology

The Ph.D. in criminology is designed to prepare students to produce theoretically informed empirical scholarship related to issues of crime and justice policy. After completing graduate courses in criminological theory, criminal justice policy, and empirical methods, Ph.D. students take advanced graduate coursework consistent with their research focus. The program trains students to produce scholarly research that is disseminated to researchers and policymakers through refereed publications.

Advanced coursework typically involves courses in data science, econometrics, law, and sociology. The dissertation is completed under the supervision of faculty in the Department of Criminology. Normally Ph.D. students complete the degree within four academic years. Details on individual faculty research interests can be found here . Details on recent Ph.D. graduates of the program can be found below.

PROGRAM FEATURES

• Students are admitted directly into the Ph.D. program.
• Each student is assigned two faculty mentors and works with the graduate chair to design a hand-tailored curriculum. Typically Ph.D. students take several “core” criminology courses in the first and second year. These include two courses in criminological theory, two courses in criminal justice policy, and two semesters of graduate level statistics or data science.
• The “comprehensive exam” for the program consists of a working paper that may be part of a future dissertation proposal.
• The Ph.D. dissertation typically includes three publishable papers.

DOCTORAL ADMISSIONS

Who is eligible to apply.

We expect a successful applicant to have earned a Bachelor’s degree by the time she/he begins the doctoral program. A strong background in research is highly recommended. Admission is very competitive.

Should I apply to the master’s program or doctoral program in criminology at Penn?

The master’s program is designed for individuals interested in furthering their knowledge of criminology and criminal justice policy in preparation for a range of professional opportunities in government, research, and academia. The doctoral program is designed for individuals with demonstrated excellence in academic research interested in generating scientific research on the causes of crime and the consequences of criminal justice policy.

How should I decide if the Penn doctoral program is a good fit for me?

Visit Penn criminology faculty member web pages to find out what projects faculty are currently working on. Read their published studies. If you are excited by the research questions and/or methods being used, then Penn could be a good choice for you. You should be able to identify one or more faculty research areas that align with your own interests. 

Who makes admissions decisions?

Doctoral admissions decisions are made by the graduate admissions committee, which is composed of criminology faculty members.

How does funding normally work?

Admitted students will be given four years of fellowship funding. This includes tuition and stipend support during term time. Summer stipend support for three years is also included in the fellowship. 

Recent Doctoral Program Alumni

Colleen Berryessa (Rutgers University)

David Mitre Becerril (University of Connecticut)

Mary Cavanaugh (Hunter College, CUNY)

Ruiyun (Frances) Chen (Georgia State University)

Olivia Choy (Nanyang Technological University)

Reagan Daly (CUNY, Institute for State and Local Governance)

Ellen Donnelly (Delaware University)

Charlotte Gill (George Mason University)

Ben Grunwald (Duke University)

Seunghoon Han (Chung-Ang University)

Jordan Hyatt (Drexel University)

Jacob Kaplan (Princeton University)

Alex Knorre (Boston College)

Carla Lewandowski (Rowan University)

Shichun (Asminet) Ling (CSU Los Angeles)

Wendy McClanahan (McClanahan Associates)

Caroline Meyer Angel (University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing)

Ruth Moyer (University of Pennsylvania)

Ben Nordstrom (Behavioral Health Group)

Viet Nguyen (Center for Justice Innovation))

Evelyn Patterson (Georgetown University)

Jill Portnoy Donaghy (RAND Corporation)

Meredith Rossner (Australia National University)

Jane A. Siegel (Rutgers University)

Rebecca Umbach (Google)

Daniel Woods (U.S. Department of Homeland Security)

Yuhao Wu (Peking University)

PhD Criminology & Justice Policy

A research-oriented and practice-oriented doctoral program..

The doctoral program in Criminology and Justice Policy is student-centered with the goal of preparing students for academic careers as well as careers in research and policy development. Students of this full-time, fully-funded Ph.D. program complete the degree in five years on average. Through our curriculum, students learn the process of research from the ground-up. Our courses teach students to construct viable research questions through qualitative and quantitative analysis, write scholarly research articles, and create technical reports appropriate for policy consumption.

Additionally, Ph.D. students are offered several benefits throughout their studies, including:

• Possibilities for generous, full-year funding packages
• Extensive summer research opportunities
• Flex fellowship: one semester off from graduate assistantship responsibilities
• Experiential and dissertation completion fellowships

Doctoral students secure prestigious positions after graduation, including tenure-track professorships at Tier 1 research universities, post-doctoral fellowships, and research-and-policy-relevant agency employment.

Recent career outcomes:

• Florida State University, Assistant Professor
• Massachusetts Appeals Court, Staff Attorney
• New York University, Postdoctoral Fellow
• University of Chicago, Postdoctoral Fellow
• University of Montana, Assistant Professor
• University of Nebraska Omaha, Assistant Professor
• Apply acquired foundational knowledge in the field of criminology and justice policy to answer questions in the realm of criminology and justice policy.
• Identify and describe the role of systemic racism and intersecting dimensions of oppression in the development of policies and practices across the criminal justice system, as well as in crime and justice theory and research.
• Critique the knowledge base in a specific domain within the field of criminology and justice policy to demonstrate advanced mastery of theoretical explanations for crime, its causes and consequences.
• Design and carry out original research using methodological tools acquired to develop new theoretical or empirical insights and expand the knowledge base in the field of criminology and justice policy.

For additional information, contact:

Kevin Drakulich

Phd program director.

617.373.7427 [email protected]

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More programs, bs in criminal justice, bs/jd in law, criminology & criminal justice, ms in criminology & criminal justice, ms/jd law, criminology & criminal justice, phd/jd in law, criminology and justice policy.

Sociology and Criminology

Criminology PhD

Criminology phd program.

The University of Iowa's new PhD Program in Criminology offers rigorous training in criminological and sociological theory, a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and two cutting edge substantive areas -  Inequality, Crime & Justice  and  International & Comparative Criminology . Housed in the same department as one of the nation's leading sociology departments, our program offers students a unique opportunity to take courses and conduct research at the intersection of the two disciplines, preparing them for a variety of teaching and research jobs in academia, government, and the non-profit sector.

Inequality, Crime & Justice

International & comparative criminology, affiliated faculty.

Stephanie DiPietro, Ph.D.

Karen Heimer, Ph.D.

Amber Powell, Ph.D.

Meghan Rogers, Ph.D.

Michaela Ruppert, Ph.D.

James Wo, Ph.D.

Marina Zaloznaya, Ph.D.

NOTICE: The University of Iowa Center for Advancement is an operational name for the State University of Iowa Foundation, an independent, Iowa nonprofit corporation organized as a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, publicly supported charitable entity working to advance the University of Iowa. Please review its full disclosure statement.

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Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology

Program description.

The PhD in Criminology degree program is an interdisciplinary, research-oriented degree offered in the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences at UT Dallas. The objective of the PhD program is to provide students a coherent, yet intellectually challenging degree that adequately prepares them to conduct research among the many aspects of criminology and criminal justice, varying with individual interests and areas of specialty. Graduates of the PhD program will be qualified to teach at the university level as professors. Graduates will also be competent to enter into analytic and administrative posts within the vast array of research and policy institutions, criminal justice organizations, and in the private sector.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the program seek positions such as: academics and teaching; criminologist, policy advisor or research officer in state and federal justice agencies; analytical and administrative positions in international and domestic research and policy institutions; and positions in legal and corrections systems and non-profits and private consulting.

Marketable Skills

Review the marketable skills for this academic program.

Application Requirements

Degree requirements: The PhD in Criminology seeks applicants from a baccalaureate in criminology, sociology or a relevant discipline.

GPA: A score of 3.5 is preferred.

Test score required: Yes

A combined verbal and quantitative score of 300 on the GRE is preferred.

Letters of recommendation: 3

Applicants must submit three letters of recommendation from individuals who can judge the candidate’s probability of success in graduate school. Use the electronic request form in the graduate application to submit the letters. Contact the graduate academic program department if you have any questions.

Admissions essay required: Yes

A one-page essay outlining personal background, education, and professional objectives.

Deadlines: To be considered for funding opportunities, applications must be submitted in full by January 15. Students can apply as late as May 1, per University policy, but they will likely not be considered for funding opportunities. Students should note their desire to be considered for graduate funding in their letter of intent at the time of application.

About the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences

Every new generation inherits a world more complex than that of its predecessors, which prompts a need for new thinking about public policies that impact people’s daily lives. In the School of Economic, Political and Policy Sciences (EPPS), we examine the implications of innovation and change for individuals and communities. The social sciences are where the world turns to for answers to the important issues of today and the future such as education and health policy, financial crises, globalization, policing, political polarization, public management, terrorism, and the application of geographical information sciences to study social, economic and environmental issues.

As an undergraduate in EPPS, you will have the opportunity to work with professors who are probing issues that will affect your future. You will develop the vital skills you need to thrive in a rapidly evolving, highly competitive job market. EPPS will prepare you for careers in government, non-profits and the private sector that enable you to make a real difference in the world of today and tomorrow. EPPS is at the forefront of leadership, ethics and innovation in the public and nonprofit sectors. Our students and faculty look forward to new opportunities to study and address the complex and evolving issues of the future. Research informs much of the instruction. The school has four centers of excellence:

• Center for Global Collective Action
• Texas Schools Project
• Institute for Urban Policy Research
• The Negotiations Center

Degrees Offered

Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts : Criminology , economics , geospatial information sciences , international political economy , political science , public affairs , public health , public policy , sociology

Master of Science : Applied sociology , criminology , economics , geospatial information sciences , international political economy , social data analytics and research

Master of Arts : Political science

Master of Public Affairs : Public affairs

Master of Public Policy : Public policy

Doctor of Philosophy : Criminology , economics , geospatial information sciences , political science , public affairs , public policy and political economy

Certificates

EPPS offers the following 15-hour graduate certificates, which generally can be completed in one year of part-time evening classes:

• Economic and Demographic Data Analysis : focusing on the understanding and application of quantitative analysis of demographic and economic data.
• Geographic Information Systems (GIS) : focusing on the application of GIS in government, private sector and scientific areas.
• Geospatial Intelligence : focusing on the application of geospatial ideas and techniques to national security and other intelligence activity.
• Local Government Management : designed to broaden knowledge of important issues and approaches employed by professional local public administrators.
• Nonprofit Management : designed to provide an overview of the nature and context of nonprofit organizations and develop competencies needed by nonprofit managers.
• Program Evaluation : designed to provide students the opportunity to gain competencies in the design and implementation of program evaluations in fields such as education, health care, human services, criminal justice and economic development.
• Remote Sensing : focusing on remote sensing and digital image processing.

Contact Information

Patricia Pacheco Graduate Program Administrator Email: [email protected] Phone: 972-883-3548 Office: GR 2.402C

Degree Information Dr. John Worrall PhD Advisor Email: [email protected] Phone: 972-883-6901 Office: GR 2.126

EPPS Advising The University of Texas at Dallas 800 W. Campbell Road, GR 31 Richardson, TX 75080-3021 [email protected]

epps.utdallas.edu/

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Criminology and Criminal Justice, Ph.D.

College of Arts and Sciences

The coursework and research of the Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice emphasizes criminological theory, criminal justice system operations, research and policy.

The program is designed to provide rigorous advanced training that educates and prepares highly competent criminology and criminal justice faculty members, agency researchers and administrators.

Program Highlights

A notable faculty.

Learn from some of the nation’s leading criminology and criminal justice researchers and instructors.

Conduct research that is vital to designing effective policy interventions and criminal justice system practices.

Experiential Learning

Enhance your knowledge through internships with local criminal justice-related agencies or organizations.

Competitive Assistantships

Keep your focus on your studies and research with financial support from graduate assistantships.

What You’ll Study

Faculty interests span many crime- and criminal justice-related topics, including policing, courts, corrections, law and policy, criminological theory, sentencing, victimization and program evaluation. Graduates are trained for academia or criminal justice system roles where they can teach, research or influence policy and practice.

Building Skills

Gain the professional and personal intelligence it takes to have a successful career.

Data Analysis

Examining and interpreting information to uncover insights and inform decision making

Inspiring and guiding others to achieve common goals and reach their full potential

Public Speaking

Delivering a message or presentation to an audience effectively and persuasively

Gathering and analyzing information to increase knowledge or solve problems

Foster learning by conveying knowledge, skills and concepts to students

Creating professional written content for inclusion in scholarly journal articles, books and reports

Using your degree

Make your college experience the foundation for a successful future.

Learn how alumni use degrees with outcome data from Gamecock GradStats , a service of the University of South Carolina Career Center.

Potential Careers

Workplace settings.

• Research Organizations
• Social Science Research Institute
• U.S. Department of Justice
• University of South Carolina
• Notre Dame of Maryland University
• University of Nevada-Las Vegas
• University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
• University of Massachusetts Dartmouth

The faculty guided me to actively engage in research with criminal justice agencies, which brought me real-world knowledge and experience. Thanks to them, I’m able to provide my students with effective teaching while conducting research independently and collaboratively.

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Florida State University

FSU | College of Criminology & Criminal Justice

College of Criminology & Criminal Justice

• Graduate Programs

Doctoral Program

Considered the best doctoral program in the country as evidenced by multiple articles in The Journal of Criminal Justice Education, the FSU College of Criminology offers you the opportunity to be part of an intellectual community and learn from the most productive scholars in the country. The Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice trains students to conduct original research that generates new insights on issues of scientific and public policy importance. This degree emphasizes comprehensive training in theory, research methods, and statistics delivered by faculty members recently ranked as having the most productive criminology program in the country.

Click on the links below to learn more about our program.

• Ph.D. Admission Requirements
• Current Ph.D. Students
• Student Research
• Doctoral Degree Requirements
• Major Professor and Doctoral Dissertation Committee
• Professional Ethics
• Comprehensive Exam Requirements
• Dissertation and Admission to Candidacy

Related Downloads

• FAQs: Campus Graduate Program
• FSU IRB Policy Memo
• FSU IRB Human Subjects Committee Approval
• Declaration of Major Professor Form
• Prospectus Defense Approval Form
• Doctoral Dissertation Committee Form
• Graduate Assistant Evaluation Form
• Exit Survey
• 2015-2016 Criminology Graduate Handbook
• 2014-2015 Criminology Graduate Handbook
• 2013-2014 Criminology Graduate Handbook
• 2012-2013 Criminology Graduate Handbook
• 2011-2012 Criminology Graduate Handbook
• 2010-2011 Criminology Graduate Handbook
• 2016-2017 Criminology Graduate Handbook
• Annual Doctoral Review
• Doctoral Info Sheet
• 2018-2019 Grad Campus Handbook
• 2019-2020 Grad Campus Handbook
• 2020-2021 Campus Grad Handbook
• 2021-2022 Campus Grad Handbook
• 2022-2023 Campus Grad Handbook

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Criminology & Criminal Justice (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice is a sociological criminology program that highlights social inequality and public policy in the study of crime and justice issues. The program produces scholars with strong backgrounds in the substantive areas of criminology, criminal justice, theory, inequality, and policy as well as in research methods and statistics. Designed primarily for students who are interested in pursuing careers in higher education, the course offerings also provide students the education and skills needed to be employed as researchers in public and private agencies. Graduates are prepared as scholars able to conduct research, teach college and university courses in their areas of specialization, and to provide service to the discipline and community.

Program Highlights

UNDERGRADUATE MAJORS 1000+

FULL-TIME FACULTY 23

PH.D STUDENTS CURRENTLY ENROLLED 12

Check out these ideas from ODU Career Development Services and the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) . A median salary is a midpoint of what people typically earn—half of those surveyed earned above the median salary, and half earned below.

Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other

All social scientists and related workers not listed separately.

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other

All postsecondary social sciences teachers not listed separately.

Alumni Careers

Requirements.

A completed master’s degree (or its equivalent) in criminology, criminal justice, or in an appropriate field (e.g., administration of justice, sociology, or political science) from a regionally accredited institution of higher education – a thesis is generally expected; 

The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required of all applicants; 

Successful completion of prior coursework in research methods and statistics at least equivalent to that required by the ODU B.A. in sociology/criminal justice and M.A. degree in applied sociology (research methods, statistics, computer and data analysis); 

Three letters of reference from sources capable of commenting on the applicant’s readiness for advanced graduate study in criminology & criminal justice; 

A writing sample of at least 20 double-spaced pages on a topic related to the applicant’s expertise or area of interest; 

A typed statement of approximately 1,000 words summarizing the individual's motivation for applying to the program as well as the professional contributions s/he intends to make assuming successful completion of the degree; 

If the applicant’s native language is not English, a current score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) of at least 540 and/or an interview in which the applicant’s comprehension and fluency in English can be assessed.     

For Admission to the Criminology & Criminal Justice Program

A minimum of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) overall for the master’s degree;

At least 540 and/or an interview in which the applicant’s comprehension and fluency in English can be assessed.

Featured Courses

This course is an examination of criminological theory for the advanced student. The focus is on critical analysis of both contemporary and historical criminological theories. In order to aid in the development of a critical understanding of theory, beyond understanding the content of central theories, the class focuses on discussion of theory development and testing. In addition, the class focuses on an understanding of the relationship of one theory to another as well as the state of empirical evidence surrounding each theory.

This course examines the linkages between social characteristics and crime. The course concentrates on what is known about the impact of gender, age, race and social class on crime and criminal justice.

This course provides students with advanced understanding of issues in criminology/criminal justice research including: history, philosophy, sociology, epistemology, politics and ethics of social science research; methodological questions of reliability, validity, conceptualization, operationalization, scale construction, data collection methodologies, sampling.

Estimated rates for the 2023-24 academic year. Rates are subject to change. Anyone that is not a current Virginia resident will be charged non-resident rates. That includes international students.

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending ODU.  For more information visit University Student Financial aid

We offer competitive assistant-ships to qualified applicants

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Graduate Admissions

1000 Rollins Hall Norfolk, VA 23529

International Admissions

2101 Dragas Hall Norfolk, VA 23529

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Enhance your college career by gaining relevant experience with the skills and knowledge needed for your future career. Discover our experiential learning opportunities.

Picture yourself in the classroom, speak with professors in your major, and meet current students.

From sports games to concerts and lectures, join the ODU community at a variety of campus events. 

Fully Funded PhD Programs in Criminal Justice & Criminology

Last updated May 8, 2022

As part of the series on  How to Fully Fund Your Ph.D. , here is a list of PhD programs in Criminal Justice, Criminology, and related fields that offer full funding to their students. A Ph.D. in Criminal Justice & Criminology opens the door for jobs in law, with government agencies, and in academia, among others.

“Full funding” is a financial aid package for students that includes full tuition remission and an annual stipend or salary for the duration of the student’s doctoral studies. Full funding is not universal, so it’s essential that you research the financial aid offerings of all the potential Ph.D. programs in your academic field, including small and lesser-known schools.

You can also find several external fellowships in the  ProFellow database  for graduate and doctoral study, including opportunities for funding for dissertation research, fieldwork, language study, and summer work experiences.

Would you like to receive the full list of more than 1000+ fully funded programs in 60 disciplines? Download the FREE Directory of Fully Funded Graduate Programs and Full Funding Awards !

American University, Ph.D. in Justice, Law & Criminology  (Washington, D.C.): Upon acceptance into the program, students selected for AU funding are granted a fellowship with full funding for five years of study. As a requirement for the fellowship, students work 20 hours a week with a faculty member.

Arizona State University, Ph.D. in Justice Studies (Tempe, AZ): Each year we admit a number of doctoral students who can be fully funded with graduate fellowships and teaching and research assistantships. These awards cover your tuition, and health insurance, and also carry a stipend. Continuation of fellowships and assistantships are contingent upon funding, satisfactory progress toward the degree, and satisfactory performance in research and teaching assistantships.

Georgia State University, Ph.D. in Criminal Justice & Criminology (Atlanta, GA): Students admitted to the doctoral program in criminal justice and criminology are typically offered a graduate assistantship that includes a yearly stipend of $18,000 and a full tuition waiver.

City University of New York, John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Ph.D. in Criminal Justice (New York, NY): Criminal Justice core specialization students receive a Graduate Center or John Jay fellowship that includes tuition, a $26,000 stipend, and health insurance for 5 years. Students receiving these fellowships are assigned as research assistants in the first year and as teaching assistants or adjuncts in years 2-5.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Ph.D. in Criminology (Indiana, PA): Graduate assistantships at IUP are selectively awarded to highly qualified master’s and doctoral graduate students. Twenty-hour and 10-hour assistantships are available and are paid a stipend, currently up to $25,000 per year, including full or partial tuition waivers.

Northeastern University, Ph.D. in Criminology and Justice Policy (Boston, MA): Students of this full-time, fully-funded Ph.D. program complete the degree in five years on average. Additionally, Ph.D. students are offered several benefits throughout their studies, including extensive summer research opportunities for students, one semester off from graduate assistantship responsibilities, and experiential and dissertation completion fellowships.

University of California – Irvine, Ph.D. in Criminology, Law, and Society (Irvine, CA): Ph.D. students in CLS are eligible for 12 quarters of support as a Teaching Assistant (TA), making this the most common means of financial support. A Teaching Assistantship is not only an important means of financial support (a monthly salary plus fees and tuition coverage), but the work also serves a vital role in training Ph.D. candidates, particularly those who intend to pursue academic careers.

University of South Florida, Ph.D. in Criminology (Tampa, FL): The department has funds to support selected graduate students. A Graduate Assistantship provides a $22,400 annual stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance. Students receiving these assistantships work 20 hours per week. These are awarded on a competitive basis and all applicants are considered.

Need some tips for the application process? See my article  How To Get Into a Fully Funded PhD Program: Contacting Potential PhD Advisors .

Also, sign up to discover and bookmark more than 1700 professional and academic fellowships in the  ProFellow database .

© Victoria Johnson 2020, all rights reserved

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Criminal Justice Fellowships , PhD in Criminal Justice

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Criminal Justice- Ph.D.

Our Doctoral Degree in Criminal Justice is designed to develop your ability as a social scientist to consume, transmit, and independently produce research knowledge on crime and criminal justice to prepare you for a career in academia and/or in agency-based research. You will receive intensive training in consuming, producing, and transmitting scientific knowledge on crime and criminal justice. This training occurs both in the classroom and through teaching and research opportunities that offer you the chance to apply the skills that you have developed. You will also have the opportunity to attend professional conferences and obtain funding to pursue your specific interests.

Program Objectives

The Criminal Justice faculty at the University of Cincinnati is very serious about the education of our graduate students. We are demanding but also supportive; our goal is to motivate students to achieve new intellectual levels and to maximize their opportunities for success within and

beyond the graduate program. We want our students to play an integral role in shaping the future of criminal justice research and education.

The School of Criminal Justice was ranked as the #3 Doctoral Program in the United States by US News and World Report in 2018. Its faculty has won numerous awards for research in their respective fields and has been recognized for scholarly productivity in several publications.

Doctoral Program

Please click on the link below for program and application requirements.

• Criminal Justice PhD

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Criminology

Learning format.

Be the Change You Want to See

If you love watching shows like CSI or listening to true crime podcasts, then Framingham State’s interdisciplinary Criminology Program might be a great choice for you. It will provide you with a comprehensive and critical understanding of crime that draws on courses in sociology, psychology, anthropology, history, political science and more. You won’t just gain an understanding of crime and punishment, you will also learn about inequalities and injustices that exist within the system, which will enable you to use that knowledge to advocate for social change.

Our faculty will teach you how to approach the issue of crime in society from a theoretically informed and research-based perspective in a program that places great emphasis on the underlying causes of crime and on the role of policy-making and policy implementation in crime prevention and crime control.

You may be interested in a criminal justice career, but the Criminology program will also prepare you for employment in a broad array of fields, including social work, education, non-profit work and social justice fields. 

You will have access to a wide range of dynamic internship opportunities in the region that will provide you with professional experience, build your resume, and grow your professional network. Our students have interned with organizations such as the Departments of Children and Families (DCF), Massachusetts adult and juvenile court systems, local police departments, state police, FBI, Homeland security and many more.

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Learning Outcomes

Explain criminal behavior, criminal justice systems, constructions of deviance and conformity, and mechanisms of social control. [Comprehension] 

Apply criminological schools of thought to interpretations of the social world. [Application] 

Design and conduct an empirical criminological research project using quantitative and/or qualitative methods. [Synthesis] 

Assess causes and consequences of inequality as they relate to crime, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system. [Evaluation]

Program Requirements

All students must satisfy a general education requirement consisting of ten (10) courses outside of the major department. The General Education Domain II-A (Analysis, Modeling, and Problem Solving) requirement is satisfied through the completion of the Criminology major.

Courses may have specified conditions for enrollment, such as prior completion of less advanced courses, permission of the instructor, or appropriate placement test scores. Students should refer to course descriptions in the department listings for prerequisite requirements.

Course Requirements

Six (6) core courses:

• CRIM 121 Social Perspectives on Criminology
• CRIM 301 Criminology Theory
• CRIM 302 Quantitative Methods I – Research Design
• CRIM 303 Quantitative Methods II – Data Collection & Analysis
• SOCI 320 Uncovering Meaning in the Social World
• CRIM 480 Criminology Senior Thesis Seminar orCRIM 495 Internship in Criminology orPOSC 450 Internship in the Judicial System

Recommended Courses:

• PSYC 101 General Psychology

Concentration core requirements (6 courses):  

Select six (6) elective courses from the following list, at least three (3) of which must be CRIM-designated and at least two (2) must be at the 300-level or above.

• ANTH 206 Forensic Anthropology
• ANTH 258 Critical Approaches to Men and Masculinities
• CRIM 120 The Fight for Social Justice: Institutional Battlegrounds
• CRIM 201 White Collar Crime
• CRIM 211 Crime and Inequality
• CRIM 222 Global Criminology
• CRIM 224 Juvenile Delinquency
• CRIM 233 Victimization and Justice
• CRIM 240 Drugs, Social Control, and the Law
• CRIM 270 Social Deviance
• CRIM 308 Understanding Violence
• CRIM 313 The Culture of Punishment
• CRIM 321 Intimate Partner Violence
• CRIM 330 Policing and Society
• CRIM 336 Sexual Violence
• CRIM 360 Media and Crime
• HSTY 186 History of Modern Violence
• HLTH 326 Drugs, Alcohol, and Addictive Behavior
• MGMT 215 Legal Environment of Business
• NEUR 225 Biopsychology
• PHIL 102 Introduction to Ethics: Why be Moral?
• POSC 206 Constitutional Law: Powers of the Government
• POSC 209 The American Supreme Court
• POSC 250 American Legal Systems
• POSC 270 Race, Politics, and the Law
• POSC 272 Gender, Politics, and the Law
• POSC 276 Technology, Politics, and the Law
• POSC 315 Judicial Politics and Policy
• POSC 316 United States Constitutional Law and Politics
• POSC 337 Legislative Politics and Policy
• PSYC 212 Adolescent Development
• PSYC 222 Psychopathology
• PSYC 271 Principles of Behavior Modification
• PSYC 373 Psychology and the Law
• SOCI 130 Social Problems
• SOCI 203 Introduction to Critical Race Theory
• SOCI 205 Geographic Information Systems Mapping for the Social Sciences
• SOCI 213 Social Class
• SOCI 230 Law and Society
• SOCI 233 Reproductive Rights and Reproductive Justice
• SOCI 245 Race and Ethnic Relations
• SOCI 263 Social Inequality
• SOCI 288 Immigration in the United States
• SOCI 308 Political Sociology: Who Rules?
• SOCI 333 Society, Mental Health, and the Individual

Minor Requirements

The following courses are required to complete this minor:

Four (4) additional course from the following list, at least two (2) of which must have a CRIM designation:

• CRIM 290 Topics in Criminology
• CRIM 400 Topics in Criminology
• CRIM 490 Independent Study in Criminology
• HLTH 326 Drug, Alcohol, and Addictive Behavior
• POSC 316 U.S. Constitutional Law and Politics
• POSC 450 Internship in the Judicial System
• PSYC 322 Abnormal Psychology
• SOCI 226 Sociology of Rap and Hip Hop
• SOCI 333 Society and the Mentally Ill

NOTE: Sociology majors may not count the same course toward both the Sociology major and the Criminology minor.

Career Opportunities

A wide range of fulfilling careers awaits Criminology Majors including:

Probation Office

Assist former criminals who have left prison and are reentering society.

Forensic Scientist

Study crime scenes and physical evidence in order to assist detectives in catching criminals.

Clinical Social Worker

Work directly with people facing addiction, domestic abuse, unemployment and other challenges.

Police Detective

Solve crimes, apprehend criminals and keep the peace in your community.

Criminal Profiler

Use your understanding of criminal psychology to predict the movements of serial perpetrators.

Criminology Professor

Teach students about criminal psychology, sociology and law.

Meet Our Faculty

Kaan Agartan

Dr. Jonathan Martin

Dr. Trinidad Morales

Vincent Ferraro, Ph.D.

Student Spotlight

"I came in with the desire to be a District Attorney, and have done everything in my power in order to achieve the career goal."

Talia C. Johnson, Criminology Major, Class of 2017

Learn More or Apply

If you are interested in learning more about the Criminology Programs at FSU, contact Admissions at admissions [at] framigham.edu or 508-626-4500.

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