Program Overview

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Why Earn Your Doctor of Criminal Justice Degree in Human Services at Saint Leo University?

The Doctor of Criminal Justice at Saint Leo University prepares students to make important contributions within an increasingly dynamic and complex domain. The program enables students to critically assess theoretical concepts, intervention modalities, public policy, social order issues, as well as a broad range of criminal justice practices that impact law enforcement, corrections, and the courts. The curriculum prepares learners for careers in teaching, homeland security, human services, and criminal justice while allowing them to achieve proficiency in research, leadership, and the ethical application of processes so they can have the greatest influence on this profession.

Doctor of Criminal Justice Degree in Human Services Program Details

The online Doctorate in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Human Services at Saint Leo University is designed for individuals aiming to advance their careers in the criminal justice field by developing expertise in human services. The program focuses on the integration of criminal justice and human services principles to enhance leadership and administrative roles in various criminal justice settings.

Classes in Program

HUS 701 Foundations in Human Services

This course will introduce the human services discipline by providing the historical context and the evolution of the human services profession. Theoretical models and the discipline’s professional ethical standards and codes of conduct that today’s professional apply in everyday practice will be examined. The origins of the profession and ways in which philosophical and ideological perspectives have defined the fields of practice in numerous settings and serving various populations will be studied.

HUS 705 Program Evaluation

This course will employ a hands-on approach ultimately culminating in a hypothetical program evaluation and service-level improvement by completing weekly process goals, to include analysis of a completed needs assessment survey. In the process of learning evaluation techniques and skills, students will become proficient at critically analyzing evaluation studies conducted by others. The course will provide students with all materials needed in order to evaluate the complex program presented and complete tasks to ultimately modify it by the end of the term.

HUS 710 Public Policy Analysis and Advocacy

This course examines public policy analysis and covers key theoretical dimensions of policy analysis. The topics will include a range of policy tools that decision makers draw from to achieve policy objectives and various forms of policy evaluation methods in the execution of public policy. This course provides opportunities to interpret complex and conflicting data, evaluate alternative courses of action and discover the consequences of policy choices. Students will develop a policy research and modeling skillset in considering complex, real-world issues involving multiple actors with diverse interests, information uncertainty, institutional complexity, and ethical controversy.

HUS 715 Cultural Competency

This course will provide a systematic review of the wide range of cultures and individual differences and the ways in which cultural mores, ethnocentrism, and factors such as matters of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, customs and cultures impact behavior of the individual themselves and of those around them. Concepts, models, frameworks, and communication that occur in cross-cultural situations will be discussed and applied. This course will examine both analytical and practical approaches to cultural competency.

HUS 720 Social Justice and Community Engagement

This course examines the theories and research underlying the political, economic, and social structures related to community organizations within contemporary society. Students analyze methods of creating engaging communities and social justice organizations that empower and support individuals to work together to initiate social justice change. The course presents a framework for how community engagement organizations can advance their social justice mission through strategic partnerships that utilize their core competencies.

HUS 730 Grantsmanship

This course introduces to the process of grantsmanship using a step-by-step approach. Strategic use of research skills to match need to proposed program and program to funding foundation will be discussed. This course will cover the key components in grant proposal writing.

Learn Your Way: Online

The online Doctorate in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Human Services at Saint Leo University is designed for individuals aiming to advance their careers in the criminal justice field by developing expertise in human services. The program focuses on the integration of criminal justice and human services principles to enhance leadership and administrative roles in various criminal justice settings.

Specialization Options

Saint Leo University offers specialization options for criminal justice students. You can customize your degree to match your passions by choosing one of the following concentrations.

Doctorate in Criminal Justice: Education

The online PhD Criminal Justice Education track's curriculum prepares learners for careers in teaching and criminal justice while allowing them to achieve proficiency in research, leadership, and ethical application of processes so they can have the greatest influence on this profession.

• EDU 706 - Instructional Technology
• EDU 709 - Technology Innovation and Diffusion
• EDU 723 - Power of Teacher Leader Innovation

Doctorate in Criminal Justice: Homeland Security

The online doctorate in Criminal Justice Homeland Security track's curriculum prepares learners for careers in homeland security and criminal justice while allowing them to achieve proficiency in research, leadership, and ethical application of processes.

• DCJ 707 - Systems Approach to Homeland Security
• DCJ 712 - Terrorism, Domestic Radicalization
• DCJ 722 - Organizational and Community Resilience

Career Outlook

No matter which learning experience you choose, you will receive plenty of professional development opportunities, industry knowledge from expert professors, and support from the Saint Leo community. All this together means that you will be ready for a successful career or continued studies upon graduation.

• Postsecondary Teacher: 12% (Faster than average), $80,560 per year
• Lawyer: 9% (As fast as average), $126,930 per year
• Executive: 8% (As fast as average), $107,680 per year

Accreditation

Saint Leo University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, bachelor’s, master’s, specialist, and doctoral degrees.