Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice

Program Overview

The Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice program at the University at Albany is designed to provide students with advanced theoretical and methodological training in the field of criminal justice. The program aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to become experts in social science research and to make a unique contribution to the field of study.

Program of Study

The program of study includes:

• Theories of Crime
• Theoretical Foundations of Criminal Justice
• Research/Analytical Writing Seminar
• Statistical Techniques in Criminal Justice II
• Research Design in Criminal Justice II

Research Tool Requirement

Students are required to demonstrate proficiency in a relevant area such as statistical analysis, legal research, foreign language proficiency, historical research, computer utilization, survey design, techniques of field observation, and clinical research techniques.

Comprehensive Examinations

The doctoral comprehensive examination provides students with the opportunity to practice and be assessed on important skills. Exams include the completion of a research project, involving a written report that is suitable for publication in an academic journal and an oral presentation.

Dissertation Prospectus

A written prospectus detailing the research questions, data, and methods students will use in conducting their selected dissertation research. It should also address the relevance of the dissertation topic to the field of criminal justice, describe the conceptual and research content, and specify the uniqueness of the proposal.

Present and Successfully Defend a Dissertation

The dissertation should investigate a problem of significance and make a unique contribution to the field of study. It must demonstrate independent research and analysis, careful professional writing, and a high degree of scholarly competence.

Applied Learning

The program offers opportunities for applied learning, including:

• Developing and teaching a course
• Working on policy proposals
• Writing articles for publication in academic journals
• Attending or conducting lectures on a specialized area of interest
• Engaging in hands-on learning opportunities, including research and internships in government agencies that affect criminal justice

Career Paths

Graduates of the program can pursue careers in roles such as:

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

Admissions Requirements

• Transcripts from all schools attended
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official GRE scores
• Statement of goals
• Resume

The statement should include a brief description of the applicant's field of interest, related background, desired area of study and research emphasis or career goals.

Deadlines

• Departmental Assistantship Consideration:
  • Fall: December 31
  • Spring: Not Available
  • Summer: Not Available
• No Departmental Assistantship Consideration:
  • Fall: December 31
  • Spring: Not Available
  • Summer: Not Available

Student Learning Objectives

• Demonstrate familiarity with the theories of crime and criminal justice
• Ability to translate theory into empirical research questions
• Ability to design research studies
• Ability to analyze data appropriately
• Professional acculturation
• Ability to organize a course
• Ability to evaluate student performance
• Ability to lead class discussions

Supplemental Degree Programs

Graduate students can typically request a supplemental degree in one or more subordinate degrees without needing to go through the full admissions process again. Supplemental programs available with this degree include:

• Africana Studies CGS
• Community College Leadership CGS
• Criminal Justice MA
• Data Science for Public Affairs CGS
• Demography CGS
• Emergency Preparedness, Homeland Security and Cybersecurity CGS
• Geospatial Artificial Intelligence and Big Data Analytics CGS
• International Education Management CGS
• Nonprofit Management and Leadership CGS
• Public Sector Management CGS
• Women and Public Policy CGS