PhD in Criminal Justice Programs in Kansas

Research has improved outcomes in numerous fields and made the world a safer place to live. Look at the results it has yielded in the field of criminal justice—as research has found ways to save money, reduce recidivism, and drop crime rates, communities all over the United States have seen better outcomes. Kansas is one of many states going through a significant amount of criminal justice changes.

In Kansas, professionals from many different arenas came together to call for reform. This group included poverty advocates, civil rights groups, and criminal justice experts. Changes working their way through Kansas include reduced sentences for nonviolent drug crimes, programs to help offenders get back into society, and expanded availability of diversion programs (Lawrence Journal-World, 2016).

Featured Online Criminal Justice Programs

What Can I Do With My PhD in Criminal Justice in Kansas?

Researchers at criminal justice universities have uncovered many shocking facts that have paved the way to improvement. Research found that Kansas police departments had an issue with racial profiling, which then allowed police departments to overhaul and restructure their policies (Wichita State News, 2016).

Earning a PhD criminal justice may open you up to new career paths. Criminal justice professors in Kansas earn an average of $55,020 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022), and job openings in this specialty are expected to remain steady through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Administrative law judges fill a number of positions in Kansas. Demand may remain stable through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022). The average salary for an administrative law judge is $112,000 annually (BLS, 2022).

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Kansas contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.

Find out how a PhD can change the future of your career. Get started by contacting criminal justice programs on this page.

What Will It Take to Earn My Criminal Justice Graduate Degree in Kansas?

A PhD is the highest degree in academia, bringing with it a certain amount of prestige and expertise. Devoting five to seven years to a doctoral degree may prep you for work in research, teaching, management, or legislation.

If you are going to a PhD program straight from an undergraduate program, plan on earning approximately 90 credits by graduation. If you already possess a Master’s degree in criminal justice, you may be able to finish your degree with 60 to 70 credits.

Though specific course names may vary between schools, you can anticipate tackling the same set of topics in most programs.

In your criminal justice PhD curriculum, you may find courses like:

Qualitative Research Methods in Criminal Justice
Quantitative Research Methods in Criminal Justice
Advanced Theoretical Criminology
Violent Crime
Homicide Investigation
Forensic Social Work
Crime Causation and Criminal Justice Policy
Juvenile Justice and Social Policy
Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice

Clearly, PhD degrees in criminal justice explore some of the most relevant and complex issues in this industry. To flesh out your education, you may need to complete an internship in your chosen area of concentration.

Your dissertation may be the longest piece of writing you do in your academic career. With an advisor, you develop a thesis and specific focus for the dissertation. You may spend several years writing your dissertation before defending it. Your advisor should have relevant experience in your intended area of research.

Funding is a complicated area in doctoral study. Schools often provide their most promising PhD candidates with full or heavily discounted tuition. In return, you may be scheduled to work as a research or teaching assistant for up to 20 hours per week. There are other methods you can use to fund your education, particularly grants and scholarships.

If you’re dedicated to spending your career in the criminal justice field, a PhD can help you become a leader. Get more information now by contacting criminal justice schools in KS.