The Best Online Doctorate in Criminal Justice Degree Programs

Professionals at the highest level of the criminal justice field often have doctoral degrees. A Ph.D. in criminal justice prepares graduates for career paths like criminal justice professor, criminal justice administrator, or county, state, or federal judge. These fields offer increased responsibilities and above-average salaries for criminal justice professionals.

Earning an online criminal justice degree offers more flexibility than an on-campus program, which appeals to working professionals seeking career advancement. At the doctoral level, criminal justice colleges offer online programs that prioritize accessibility. Rather than quitting their jobs or relocating to earn a doctorate, students can enroll in a top criminal justice program online.

Our ranking lists the best online doctoral programs in criminal justice to help prospective students find the right programs for their professional goals. This page also explores criminal justice careers, the requirements for earning a doctorate, and tips for paying for a Ph.D. in criminal justice.

A Ph.D. in criminal justice provides focused, advanced training in law enforcement. The degree prepares graduates for positions of authority within the justice system or careers as professors of criminal justice.

An online criminal justice degree at the doctoral level builds research and analytical skills through coursework, doctoral examinations, and an original dissertation. Learners study topics like criminal justice policy development, criminal justice leadership, and program evaluation. They also take courses in research methods and design, which prepare them to conduct original research for their doctoral dissertations.

Criminal justice programs may offer concentrations. While concentration options vary by program, they may include policy and administration, criminology, or juvenile justice. Doctoral students conduct research in their concentration areas, building expertise for careers in research or academia.

Admission requirements for a doctorate in criminal justice may include a bachelor’s degree or master’s degree in criminal justice. Some programs offer an accelerated track for students with prior graduate experience in criminal justice. After earning admission, doctoral students generally take several years of coursework before passing comprehensive exams and writing a doctoral dissertation.

A doctorate in criminal justice prepares graduate students for positions that require advanced training. During a doctoral program, criminal justice students focus their studies to become experts in their areas of interest. By designing an original research project and writing a dissertation, doctoral students contribute to scholarship in criminal justice.

Because a doctorate is the highest level of educational achievement in criminal justice, earning a Ph.D. requires a significant time investment. This section covers common courses during a criminal justice degree and how long it takes to earn a Ph.D. in criminal justice.

Earning an online Ph.D. in criminal justice can take up to five years. During an online criminal justice degree, doctoral students complete coursework requirements, take comprehensive examinations, and write a doctoral dissertation.

Students may take coursework on a synchronous or asynchronous schedule. Programs that deliver coursework synchronously require set meeting times, while asynchronous courses let students complete assignments at any time within set deadlines.

In most programs, students complete 2-3 years of coursework before taking doctoral exams and moving on to the dissertation phase, which can take 1-2 additional years. During the dissertation, students conduct research in their subfield and write an original piece of scholarship. A faculty committee evaluates the dissertation and decides whether to award doctoral candidates their degrees.

Some programs offer an accelerated route to a doctorate. In particular, programs that require a master’s degree to gain admission may offer a faster path to a criminal justice doctorate.

Prospective criminal justice students should always consider a school’s accreditation status before submitting an application. Accredited universities meet the highest standards for academic excellence. To earn accreditation, schools undergo a voluntary review of their student learning outcomes, faculty qualifications, and graduation requirements. Regional accreditation provides the best measure of quality for liberal arts and research institutions.

Accreditation benefits students in several ways. An accredited degree meets the requirements for most professional licenses and certifications, and students at accredited institutions qualify for federal financial aid. Many employers prefer to hire candidates with an accredited degree.

In addition to institutional accreditation, prospective students can also look at programmatic accreditation. While most criminal justice programs hold accreditation through their universities, some specialized agencies, like the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission, grant accreditation for criminal justice degrees.

The Council for Higher Education Accreditation maintains a list of accredited colleges and universities.

Professional organizations help criminal justice graduate students transition into the workforce. These organizations support students and practitioners through professional development resources, networking opportunities, scholarships, and career centers. They also help criminal justice professionals stay up-to-date with changes in the field.

National Criminal Justice Association: A nonprofit professional organization dedicated to criminal justice, NCJA represents law enforcement, corrections, and court professionals. Members receive regular updates about policies and practices. NCJA also hosts an annual conference to connect criminal justice professionals. The association’s professional development resources include a forum on criminal justice that showcases research and technologies in the field.

American Probation and Parole Association: APPA represents probation and parole professionals. The association offers up-to-date information on the field through newsletters, research reports, and webinars. Members can attend training institutes or leadership institutes to strengthen their professional development. APPA also provides best practices resources for probation and parole organizations.

American Society of Criminology: ASC is an international professional organization for the field of criminology. Membership include criminal justice students, practitioners, and academics. The society hosts an annual meeting with networking opportunities, provides a career center with job postings, and publishes professional journals. In addition, ASC keeps members current with developments the field through two newsletters.

The field of criminal justice includes jobs in law enforcement, corrections, and the court system. A criminal justice degree leads to career paths like crime analyst, criminal justice administrator, and federal law enforcement agent.

A Ph.D. in criminal justice provides advanced training in criminal justice, preparing graduates for academic, research, and management careers. For example, most criminal justice professors hold a doctorate.

In addition to the following opportunities, an online criminal justice degree at the graduate level can also lead to other criminal justice careers.

Many doctoral students pay for their degrees with a mix of scholarships, assistantships, and loans. Employers may also offer tuition assistance programs to help cover the cost of a criminal justice degree. While applying to Ph.D. in criminal justice programs, prospective doctoral students should research the following funding opportunities.