Program Overview

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Overview of the PhD Program in Criminology and Criminal Justice

The PhD program in Criminology and Criminal Justice at The University of Alabama provides students with the opportunity to specialize in one of three areas: violent crime, courts and corrections, or global criminology. This program supports both current and new scholars and practitioners in the areas of criminology, intelligence, digital forensics, social science, and other justice-related fields.

Admissions

Important Points to Consider Before You Apply

• If your career plan involves conducting and disseminating research, you should apply directly to the PhD program – not the MS Program.
• Review our description of research in the department and faculty areas of expertise.
• Start date for new students: All of our newly admitted students will start the program in the Fall semester, which begins mid-August.
  • We do not invite students to begin mid-year.

Application Deadlines

• For the Master’s program: November 15th to be considered for priority funding, February 1st to be considered for admission.
• For the PhD program: February 1st.

To Apply

1. Application Fee
2. Statement of Purpose
   • Clearly describe how a graduate degree in criminology and criminal justice relates to your career goals.
   • Summarize your relevant education experiences including any research you conducted.
3. Your Resume or CV
4. Undergraduate Transcripts
   • Official transcripts will be requested only after admission.
5. Contact Information for the three people who have agreed to write letters of recommendation for you
6. A Writing Sample
   • There is not a minimum or maximum length, but writing samples should be about 5-10 pages in length excluding references.
7. For applicants whose first language is not English, the UA Graduate School requires one of the following:
   • TOEFL score of at least 550 on the paper-based test (PBT)
   • TOEFL score of at least 213 on the computer-based test (CBT)
   • TOEFL score of at least 79 on the internet-based test (iBT)
   • iELTS score of at least 6.5
   • Duolingo English test score of at least 105

Curricular Requirements

Students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours (of which up to 21 hours can be transferred or counted from prior graduate study, contingent on department and UA graduate school approval). This includes:

• 42 hours of graduate coursework credits.
  • 27 hours of required courses
  • 15 hours of elective courses.
• At least 18 hours of dissertation credit.

Transfer Credit

Upon admission, up to 21 hours can be transferred or counted from prior graduate study, contingent on department and UA Graduate School approval.

Doctoral Plan of Study Requirement

Graduate School information on the Doctoral Plan of Study.

Comprehensive Exams

PhD students should complete all their coursework before beginning work on their doctoral comprehensive exams and must complete doctoral comprehensive exams before enrolling in dissertation research credits.

Admission to Candidacy Requirements

After a student has completed all coursework, passed their comprehensive exams, and passed an oral defense of the dissertation proposal, a recommendation to the Dean of the Graduate School for admission to candidacy for the degree will be made.

Continuous Enrollment Policy

Graduate School information on Continuous Enrollment.

Dissertation Requirements

Dissertation Committee

The entire dissertation committee should be formed and approved early in the dissertation research process, before significant progress is made on the dissertation.

Dissertation Proposal

Students defend a dissertation proposal before they can defend their dissertation. The dissertation proposal aims to show the appropriateness, manageability, and significance of the projected research.

Time Limits for Degree Completion Requirements

The time to degree for students entering the PhD program with a Bachelor’s degree is 4-5 years. The time to degree for students entering the PhD program with a Master’s degree is 3-4 years.

Student Progress Requirement

Annual Evaluations

All students will be evaluated on an annual basis. These evaluations will be completed by the Graduate Director until the student has selected a major professor, after which time evaluations will be completed by the major professor.

Additional Academic Requirements

Academic Suspension

Any student who receives two graduate course grades of “C” or lower, or one graduate course grade of “D” or “F,” will automatically be subject to Academic Suspension (dismissal) from the program and the Graduate School.

Departmental Colloquia

Throughout the year, department colloquia are held, including special presentations by scholars from outside The University; presentations of research by departmental faculty and other UA faculty; and presentations of research by graduate students. Attendance at departmental colloquia is mandatory.

Funding Opportunities

Multiple funding opportunities are available to graduate students in The Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice. This includes funding for assistantships that include a monthly stipend, tuition waiver, and health insurance benefits, and funding for research and travel that support students’ research productivity. Students are also eligible to be considered for fellowships and other funding opportunities offered by The University of Alabama’s Graduate School.