Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice and Criminology

Program Handbook:
Not available
Total Graduate Faculty in Program:
0
Graduate Students in Program:
20
Students receiving assistantships:
16
Priority deadline:

  • Fall January 10th

Campus:

  • Pullman

International Student English Proficiency Exams

Degree Description:

The mission of Criminal Justice Ph.D. program is to advance the development of criminological and criminal justice research and theory, and to train graduate students to conduct and understand theoretically based research involving crime and the criminal justice system. Upon completion of their graduate program, graduate students in criminal justice will be able to read and evaluate data and social science research, analyze and develop criminal justice policy, conduct independent research related to criminology and criminal justice, and communicate original research findings and analyses of secondary research cogently for consideration by multiple audiences.

Admission Requirements:

  • Master’s level degree
  • For students entering from a foreign university, evidence of English proficiency (i.e., Test of English as a Foreign Language) and financial resources
  • Cumulative GPA of at least a 3.0, although 3.5 or higher is preferred by the admissions committee
  • Personal Statement
  • 3 Letters of Recommendation. At least one of the letters of recommendation must be from a professor with a Ph.D. degree.
  • Transcripts (including all colleges or universities from which you have earned or expect to earn a degree, and all colleges or universities at which you have taken graduate level course work; transcripts for coursework taken at Washington State University are not required).
  • Official GRE scores sent to the Graduate School at institution code 4705. Find test centers and datesScores must be less than five years old. The department has set a minimum score of 3.5 or higher for the analytical test to be considered for admission.
  • Official TOEFL score (for international applicants) — www.toefl.org — or other approved test to assess English proficiency. Minimum acceptable TOEFL score is 85. Minimum acceptable IELTS score is 7.

Student Learning Outcomes:

All graduates will be able to demonstrate:

  1.  Disciplinary Proficiency: Students will be generally knowledgeable across the entire field of criminal justice and criminology.
    Assessment location: CRMJ 530, 555, Dissertation
  2.  Diversity Knowledge: Students will understand how history, structures of power and privilege, and cultural, social, and economic forces affect criminal justice and criminological outcomes.
    Assessment location: DEJ course
  3.  Methodological Competence: Students will be competent in the full range research methods and analytical techniques used in the field of criminal justice and criminology.
    Assessment location: CRMJ 520, 522, 523, and 540; Dissertation
  4.  Specialized Expertise: Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the published scholarship and contemporary research methods in a specific, defined area of study within the field of criminal justice and criminology.
    Assessment location: Preliminary examination and Dissertation
  5.  Proficient Communication: Students will become proficient communicators in terms of research and pedagogy according to professional standards in both written and oral formats.
    Assessment location: All written coursework and oral presentations, Prospectus defense and Prospectus, Dissertation defense and Dissertation

Student Opportunities:

Faculty collaboration, Research Assistant and Teaching Assistant opportunities, Program evaluation, online instruction and curriculum development, advanced statistical training.

Career Opportunities:

Academia, grant specialist, research manager, and planning and evaluation director for state and local criminal justice agencies.

Career Placements:

Research university professorships, police and corrections management.Students graduating with a Ph.D. have had 100% job placement prior to graduation.

Contact Information:

Danielle Makin
Criminal Justice and Criminology
Wilson-Short Hall, Room 111A
Pullman, WA
6444011

509-335-8611