Purpose

The purpose of the Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (Ph.D.) is to prepare law-enforcement professionals for senior leadership roles in criminal-justice organizations at all levels of government, and graduate students seeking careers in criminal-justice education in order to instruct, inspire and motivate the law-enforcement professionals of the future.

Program Specific Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements, specific requirements for admission to the Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (Ph.D.) are as follows:

1. Earned master’s degree or its equivalent from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (e.g., SACSCOC, TRACS, ABHE, etc.).
2. A cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above (on a 4.00 scale).
3. TOEFL Scores for students who speak English as a second language (score of 600 paper-based test; 250 computer-based test, 80 internet-based test)

Transfer of Credit

Students may transfer up to 30 hours of graduate-level credit from an accredited institution. In order to transfer credit, students must have earned the minimum grade of B-, and courses must have been completed within 7 years of the start date of the student’s program at Liberty University. Credits from a prior degree on the same academic level earned through Liberty University are considered transfer credits.

Program Learning Outcomes

The student will be able to:

• Critique the theories within the fields of criminology, justice policy, and criminal justice administration.
• Construct innovative change proposals to policies that address crime problems.
• Integrate a Christian Worldview into the analysis of crime and crime policy.
• Design and conduct independent research that makes an original contribution to the criminal justice field.

Delivery Format: Online Only

 

• Administration/Management (Federal, State, or Local)
• Administrator (Department Chair, Dean, Chancellor)
• Crime Scene Investigation Unit Manager
• Criminal Justice Writer
• Detective/Investigator
• Forensics Investigator
• Lead Detective/Investigator
• Lead/ Senior Researcher
• Police Chief
• Polygraph Examiner/Operator
• Prison Warden
• Professor/Instructor
• Public Policy Advisor
• Researcher
• Security Analyst
• Sheriff
• Threat Analyst