You’ve been serving in the criminal justice field for quite some time—whether it be in a direct service role or a teaching role—and now you’re wondering if you should pursue a doctorate degree to take your career to the next level.
When it comes to doctorate degrees in the field of criminal justice, you have two options. The first and most traditional option is a PhD in criminal justice, which is ideal for those interested in teaching and training. The second option (and one that has gained a lot of traction in the past several years) is a Doctor of Criminal Justice (DCJ), which is less education-focused and more geared towards individuals who want to make a direct impact on policymaking and fieldwork.
Not sure which option is right for you? With a better understanding of what each degree program entails and what you can do with each, you can make a better-informed decision regarding your education and career advancement.
What Is a Doctorate in Criminal Justice?
Until several years ago, DCJ degrees were a new concept—with the first regionally accredited DCJ degree in the United States approved in 2017. Today, more colleges and universities are beginning to offer DCJ programs due to their growing demand among professionals in the field.
Specifically, a doctorate in criminal justice degree is designed for professionals working in criminal justice who may already have master’s degrees and are looking to pursue more advanced degrees that allow them to focus on a highly specialized area of the field.
These degrees can be considered either research-based or professional in nature and are great options for anyone wanting to conduct their own field research and make a direct impact on public policy or other aspects of the criminal justice industry.
Those who earn DCJs may go on to work in senior positions within police departments, corrections facilities and similar roles, as well as being an expert witness or consultant.
Curriculum and Courses
While the specific curriculum and courses associated with a DCJ can vary from one program to the next, most focus on preparing students for identifying causes of crime, analyzing the criminal justice field critically, leading criminal justice organizations and investigating the policies and practices of a criminal justice system.
Ultimately, those who complete a DCJ program should be prepared to research and apply evidence-based practices in their fields, assess the safety needs of a community, and lead criminal justice efforts in both public and private sectors.
Examples of courses you may take in a DCJ program include:
- Criminal Justice Leadership
- Advanced Criminological Theory
- Criminal Justice Policies and Practices
- Advanced Research Design
Degree Requirements
The requirements to earn a DCJ degree also vary slightly depending on the program but are usually quite similar. Most DCJ programs require about 44 credit hours to complete, broken up into 16 courses with eight-week terms. With these requirements, most students can complete the traditional course work and earn their degrees within 20 to 32 months.
As part of a DCJ, it is also common for students to be required to complete an applied doctoral project or dissertation and/or one doctoral residency. This dissertation typically does not need to be published, but it should make a theoretical and practical impact in the field.
Admission Requirements
What are the prerequisites and admission requirements for a DCJ program? The first is a master’s degree in criminal justice or a related field from an accredited institution. Applicants should expect to provide official transcripts from their previous master’s degree programs with proof of GPA, as many DCJ programs also require a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in a previous degree program.
In some cases, applicants may also be required to submit a personal statement detailing their life experiences, career outcomes or other educational achievements that may lead to success in a doctorate program. Certain programs may also require applicants to submit a resume or CV in addition to a nominal application fee.
Job and Career Outlook
A doctorate in criminal justice can provide you with the practical, hands-on skills needed for various senior-level and leadership positions within the criminal justice field. Many graduates of DCJ programs go on to work in leadership roles and practical or academic roles in areas such as:
- Law enforcement
- Corrections
- Investigations
- Threat assessment
- Government consulting
- Probation and courts systems
What Is a PhD in Criminal Justice?
Another advanced degree option to consider in criminal justice is a PhD, or a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice. Compared to a DCJ, this type of program tends to be more focused on academic applications with the end goal of preparing students to conduct proper field research. Those who obtain PhDs in criminal justice most often go on to teach at the college or university level, though this is not always the case. Graduates may also proceed to work as researchers for government agencies, such as the DHS or FBI.
Curriculum and Courses
The curriculum and courses involved with a PhD program tend to be more specific to research. This is not to say that PhD programs in criminal justice don’t offer foundational courses more related to the field. Normally, this degree is broken up so that about one-third of credit hours are dedicated to research topics, whereas the remainder are focused on a dissertation or foundational courses in criminal justice.
Degree Requirements
The requirements to graduate with a PhD in criminal justice vary based on the particular school. In general, however, students need a minimum of 54 credit hours to graduate. This works out to about 20 courses in eight-week terms, spanning a total program completion of anywhere from 24 to 40 months.
As part of a PhD in criminal justice, it is also common for students to be required to complete a dissertation that is peer-reviewed and published. Doctoral students may also be expected to complete residencies.
Admission Requirements
Typically, in order to qualify for admission into a PhD in criminal justice program, applicants must have a graduate degree in the field (or a closely related field) with a minimum of a 3.0 GPA in that program. Likewise, many PhD programs require applicants to have at least a couple of years of full-time experience working in the criminal justice realm.
In certain cases, applicants may be admitted into a PhD program with only a bachelor’s degree if they have proper experience working hands-on in the field, though this varies from one program to the next. Generally, DCJ programs require experience in the field for admission.
In addition to transcripts from a previous degree program, applicants to a PhD program often must submit a resume and personal statement as well as pay an application fee to be considered.
Job and Career Outlook
A PhD in criminal justice can prepare individuals for successful careers teaching criminal justice and conducting important field research that leads to impactful policy and systematic changes. As more people call for criminal justice reform, the demand for experienced and knowledgeable researchers will only continue to grow.
Meanwhile, those with PhDs in criminal justice may also enjoy increased earning potential. In fact, research has shown that professionals with PhDs make an average of 56.4% more per year than those with a bachelor’s degree alone.
DCJ vs. PhD in Criminal Justice
Still unsure whether a DCJ or PhD in criminal justice is the right choice for you? Let’s break down the similarities and differences so you can more easily compare the two.
Similarities
Both a DCJ and PhD in criminal justice are advanced degrees that typically require a master’s degree or other graduate-level degree. They both offer the potential for career advancement, no matter if you are interested in achieving a leadership position or a more senior teaching role. Each program also often requires a dissertation or similar project that allows you to conduct your own field research and build a reputation as a thought leader in the field.
Differences
There are some key differences to note between a PhD in criminal justice and a DCJ:
- Program length – A PhD in criminal justice generally demands more credit hours than a DCJ, so it may take longer to complete a PhD.
- Focus – A PhD in criminal justice is more focused on field research and academia than real-world practice. If you’re less interested in researching or teaching in the field of criminal justice and more set on preparing for a leadership or other senior-level role, a DCJ may be the better option. Specifically, a DCJ curriculum is more focused on practical applications and may also offer options for specialization.
- Publication/peer review requirements – While both degrees may require students to write a dissertation, a PhD program may also require that your dissertation be peer-reviewed and published. For DCJ programs, students complete an applied doctoral project. Both the publication and applied project can help you earn clout and establish your reputation as a trusted thought leader.
- Admission requirements – Both programs typically require applicants to have a master’s degree in a related field, though some PhD programs may grant admission to those with bachelor’s degrees if they have enough proven experience.
Begin Your Journey to an Advanced Degree in Criminal Justice
Both a doctorate in criminal justice and a PhD in criminal justice could serve as excellent steppingstones for striving toward your career goals. The decision of which criminal justice program is right for you will boil down to what you want to do with your degree and what kind of curriculum you’re looking for.
The good news? No matter where you are in your criminal justice career or what your future goals are, Keiser University has a program to suit your needs. Our criminal justice degree programs begin with undergraduate and graduate options, including our Bachelor of Arts to Master of Arts in Criminal Justice (Accelerated) program, Master of Arts in Criminal Justice with Interdisciplinary Studies program and Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and Master of Arts in Homeland Security program.
From there, we also offer a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice and Criminology as well as a Doctor of Criminal Justice. Both programs are offered online for your convenience, so you can pursue your advanced degree on your own schedule. Learn more about these and other program options by getting in touch with a Keiser University admissions counselor today.
