PhD in Criminal Justice Programs in Missouri

Policing is part of the industry undergoing change in Missouri. Experts in criminal justice, in an attempt to address the issue of racial profiling, hope to establish laws that require body cameras and discipline officers who participate in racial profiling (Police One, 2016).

The future of criminal justice is decided by those who commit wholly to this industry. Get involved now and contact schools below to learn more about criminology PhD programs.

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

You likely know whether you want to go into research, management, or teaching with a doctorate in criminal justice. If you are considering an academic career, it may interest you to know that jobs for criminal justice professors are expected to increase 11% between 2012 and 2022 (O*Net, 2016). The average salary in this career path is $57,500 per year (O*Net, 2016).

If you want to work in the courtroom, look into becoming a judicial law clerk. Judicial law clerks in Missouri earn an average of $47,700 per year and may see a 4% increase in job openings by 2022 (O*Net, 2016).

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

Earning a PhD is a huge endeavor, both in terms of time invested and money invested. The time factor is dependent on your previous education. If you have a Master’s degree in criminal justice, you may be able to finish a doctoral degree in three years. If you are looking for a PhD program with your Bachelor’s degree, your overall time commitment may be closer to seven years. Programs in the first category tend to be close to 50 credits, while those in the second category tend to be close to 80 credits.

Getting accepted to your PhD program of choice is the first major hurdle. With a Bachelor’s degree, you need to display consistent academic focus and talent. This includes a strong undergraduate GPA, relevant coursework, and work experience or volunteer experience in criminal justice. If you have a graduate degree, it should be in criminal justice or a related area. GRE scores are also essential.

Not only do the above factors determine whether or not you get accepted to PhD programs in criminal justice, they may influence the amount and type of funding you get. While some schools only accept PhD candidates for whom they can supply full funding, others accept less qualified candidates and simply offer less or no funding. A well-rounded CV and application may tilt the odds in your favor.

If you receive partial funding through your program, you may want to look into other financial aid opportunities to offset your educational expenses. Some local organizations offer scholarships, including the Missouri Conservation Agents Association.

At this level of education, a good amount of your time is spent on specialized course work and research. Courses commonly required in Missouri include:

• Foundations of Criminological Theory
• Contemporary Criminological Theory
• Criminal Justice Process and Policy
• Qualitative Research Design
• Quantitative Research Design
• Philosophy of Law
• Nature of Crime
• Violent Crime
• Property Crime

Keep in mind that the specific degree you select may be a factor in your curriculum. While a PhD criminology may focus more on theory and analysis, a PhD in criminal justice administration may concentrate more on practical leadership techniques within the workplace.

Education is the key to constantly expanding your knowledge and your skills in the workplace. Take the first step now by contacting criminal justice doctorate programs below.