Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology and Criminal Justice

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.

Overview

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.

Admission 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;
• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.25 (on a 4.0 scale) overall for the master's degree;
• 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.

Provisional Admission

Provisional admission may be granted on rare occasions when an applicant's credentials suggest aptitude for doctoral study but do not meet the criteria outlined above. Admission under this standard requires a variable amount of preliminary coursework in addition to that which is normally required for the degree.

International Students

Graduate international students on non-immigrant visas whose native language is not English or who have not lived in the U.S. ten years must provide evidence of English language proficiency through one of the following:

• Submission of a minimum required TOEFL score or successful completion of Old Dominion University's Graduate Bridge Program,
• Possession of an American Bachelor's or Master's degree equivalent from an accredited institution located in a country where English is the native language,
• GRE verbal score of 480.

Application Deadlines

• January 15 – Students applying for funding (Graduate Assistantship) and fall admission; there is no spring admission.

Curriculum Requirements

The Ph.D. in Criminology & Criminal Justice requires a minimum of 48 credit hours at the post-master's level (i.e., courses at the 700 to 800 level) as detailed below. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25.

Coursework

Additional Requirements

Comprehensive Examinations

The comprehensive exam assesses a student's expertise of the literature in criminology and criminal justice. Preparation for the comprehensive exam gives students the opportunity to organize their knowledge of the field as gained from coursework, their own independent readings, teachings, and research.

Admission to Candidacy

Students are admitted to candidacy for the degree once the following criteria are satisfied:

• They have completed all Ph.D. coursework (excepting dissertation hours) with a GPA of at least 3.25;
• They have successfully passed the comprehensive examinations;
• They have successfully defended a dissertation prospectus.

The Dissertation

The dissertation is a scholarly work investigating a problem of significance and should constitute a meaningful contribution to the body of existing knowledge regarding matters of criminology and criminal justice policy or practice. It is the culmination of a program of advanced study leading to a doctoral degree and, as such, is expected to demonstrate a high level of scholarly competence.