Making Degree Progress in Your Criminology PhD
The PhD program in criminology is designed to be completed in approximately three to four calendar years of full-time study beyond the master's. The curriculum requires a minimum of 54 semester hours of acceptable graduate credit. Each student must complete requirements for (a) coursework; (b) special proficiency requirements; (c) qualifying exams; (d) skill requirement, if needed; and (e) dissertation.
Required Course Work
Core Courses (21 semester hours):
CRIM 810 Advanced Theoretical Criminology, 3 credits
CRIM 817 Advanced Qualitative Methods, 3 credits
CRIM 818 Quantitative Strategies for Analysis in Criminology, 3 credits
CRIM 820 Advanced Quantitative Methods, 3 credits
CRIM 830 Ethical and Philosophical Issues in Criminology, 3 credits
CRIM 840 Advanced Criminal Justice Policy, 3 credits
CRIM 851 Doctoral Colloquium in Criminology, 3 credits
Criminology Electives:
Six semester hours minimum
Advanced Applied Research:
Nine semester hours minimum
CRIM 901 Advanced Applied Research I
CRIM 902 Advanced Applied Research II
CRIM 903 Advanced Applied Research III
Other Electives:
Six semester hours from Criminology or related disciplines
- Qualifying Examination: Upon completion of 18 semester hours, a student must take qualifying examinations in core subject areas. After successful completion, a student may proceed towards fulfillment of remaining degree requirements.
- Comprehensive Area of Specialization Competence Review: Areas of ConcentrationEach student must decide upon one subspecialty within criminology. Upon consultation with the student, the student's advisory committee, and the doctoral coordinator, a proficiency review will be conducted.
- Skill requirement: (0-6 semester hours) A deficiency in this area may be remedied by completing one of the following alternatives:
- Foreign language competency
- Computer
- Advanced statistics
- Advanced research methods
- Other appropriate areas as approved by the doctoral coordinator
Further details regarding any of these skill requirements can be obtained from the doctoral coordinator.
- Dissertation: In accordance with university guidelines, successful completion of a doctoral dissertation is required (12 semester hours).
In short:
- Average Transfer Credit from MA: 6
- Course Credits: 36
- Dissertation Credits: 12
- Total Minimum Number of Credit Hours Required: 54