Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of Iowa's PhD Program in Criminology offers rigorous training in criminological and sociological theory, a variety of quantitative and qualitative research methods, and two cutting-edge substantive areas: Inequality, Crime & Justice and International & Comparative Criminology.

Curriculum and Summary of Coursework

Students who wish to pursue the PhD in Criminology may enter with a MA degree in Criminology or Sociology from another university or may first earn the MA degree in Sociology at the University of Iowa. A MA Thesis or MA Research Paper is required and must be approved before the PhD in Criminology.

The requirements of the MA in Sociology with intention to continue to the PhD in Criminology are:

• SOC:7270 Scholarly Professionalism and Integrity I: Learn research ethics; socialization to discipline
• SOC:6170 Introduction to Sociological Data Analysis: Develop research methodology skillset
• CRIM:5410 Criminological Theory I: Develop expertise in criminological theory
• SOC:5160 Research Design and Methods: Develop research methodology skillset
• SOC:7271 Scholarly Professionalism and Integrity II: Learn research ethics; socialization to discipline
• SOC:6180 Linear Models in Sociological Research: Develop research methodology skillset
• CRIM: 5120 Introduction to Criminal Justice Systems: Develop expertise in criminological and social science theory, develop substantive expertise, develop scholarly and research communication skills, develop skills to work with policy makers
• At least three (≥9sh) Elective Courses in the Department, at least two of (≥6sh) which must be CRIM, with a maximum of 3sh

Program Milestones and Experiences

• Milestone 1: MA Thesis/Research Paper: Develop research methodology skillset, develop expertise in social science theory, develop substantive expertise, develop scholarly communication skills
• Milestone 2: Comprehensive Exam: Develop research methodology skillset, develop expertise in social science theory, develop substantive expertise, teaching preparation, develop crime policy analysis skills
• Milestone 3: Dissertation Prospectus: Develop research methodology skillset, develop expertise in social science theory, develop substantive expertise, develop scholarly communication skills
• Milestone 4: Dissertation: Develop research methodology skillset, develop expertise in social science theory, develop substantive expertise, develop scholarly communication skills
• Experience 1: Teaching Assistantships: Teaching preparation
• Experience 2: Research Assistantships and Co-authorship/Collaborative Research Experiences with Faculty Mentors: Develop research methodology skillset, develop expertise in criminological and social science theory, develop criminological and social science substantive expertise, develop scholarly communication skills, develop crime policy analysis skills
• Experience 3: Departmental Committee Service: Socialization to discipline
• Experience 4: Departmental Workshop/Talk Series: Reinforces all learning outcomes
• Experience 5: Professional Development Workshops: Develop scholarly communication skills, socialization to discipline

Areas of Focus

Inequality, Crime & Justice

The first substantive focus of our program builds on the wealth of expertise that the departmental faculty holds on patterns of unequal distribution of resources and social exclusion along the lines of race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, and class. Among many other topics, ICJ students explore:

• Race, Crime and Justice
• Communities and Crime
• Health, Lifecourse & Crime
• Gender, Law & Justice

International & Comparative Criminology

The second substantive focus entails the study of crime in different countries and of new and emergent crimes that often span the boundaries of nation-states. Students pursuing this specialization learn how to:

• Compare the rates and patterns of violent crimes like homicide around the world
• Explore the impact of war on the likelihood of criminal behavior
• Analyze law-breaking by political and economic elites
• Delve into the ways that non-democratic governance shapes criminality
• Discover the transnational legal and criminal justice orders that have emerged to address crime on supra-national levels
• Topics include:
  • Criminology of War
  • Homicide and Violence
  • Comparative Migration Studies
  • Corruption, White-Collar & Political Crime

Affiliated Faculty

• Mark Berg: Professor, Collegiate Scholar, Director, Center for Social Science Innovation
• Stephanie DiPietro, PhD: Associate Professor
• Karen Heimer, PhD: Professor, Collegiate Fellow
• Kate K. O'Neill, PhD: Assistant Professor
• Amber Powell, PhD: Assistant Professor
• Meghan Rogers, PhD: Assistant Professor
• Michaela Ruppert, PhD: Associate Professor of Instruction, Director of Undergraduate Studies for Criminology
• James Wo, PhD: Associate Professor

Program Requirements

To complete the PhD, students must take a total of 72sh; a minimum of 36 must be taken after the MA is conferred. PhD curriculum requirements include:

• CRIM:6430 Criminological Theory II: Develop expertise in criminological theory
• Graduate Methods Course: Develop research methodology skillset
• At least five (≥15sh) Elective Courses in the Department, at least four (≥12sh) of which must be CRIM, with a maximum of 3sh

Elective Courses

18 s.h. from these courses:

• CRIM:6430 Feminist Perspectives on Crime and Punishment
• CRIM:6440 Crime and Health in the Life Course
• CRIM:6450 Sem: Comparative Criminology
• CRIM:6460 Criminal Punishment
• CRIM:6490 Immigration and Crime
• CRIM:6750 Race and Crime
• CRIM:7400 Sem: Selected Topics in Criminological Research
• CRIM:7410 Communities and Crime
• CRIM:7430 Gender and Violence
• CRIM:7440 Social Psychology of Violence