PhD in Criminal Justice Programs in Oregon

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

Oregon is one of the first states to adopt the Ban the Box law (National Law Review, 2016). House Bill 3025 forbids employers from asking about an applicant’s criminal history until they have been offered an interview. These sorts of changes, which make it easier for previous offenders to integrate into society, are made possible by the efforts of high-level professionals.

In this state, you’ll also find the Oregon Innocence Project (Oregon Live, 2016). This group looks into wrongful convictions and errors in the state criminal justice system. If this is something you are passionate about, think about how earning a PhD in criminal justice online could help you contribute.

The future of criminal justice in Oregon appears stable. According to CareerOneStop, job openings for magistrate judges may increase 13% through 2030, while job openings for criminal justice professors could increase 14% (2022). Oregon judges enjoy an average salary of $144,960, compared to an average salary of $77,110 per year for professors (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).

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

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

With the list of schools below, you can start comparing criminal justice programs in Oregon. If you are a traditional student, you may have some options for in-person courses and standard class schedules. However, you may find that many criminal justice schools Oregon options offer online courses and accelerated options for working professionals. While attending full-time, you may graduate in about four years. As a part-time student, you may take up to six years to finish your education.

To enroll in a PhD program, you must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college. While some schools prefer applicants with criminal justice degrees, you may still be accepted with a Bachelor’s degree in another area.

As you complete your education, you should work toward accomplishing the specific goals of your school. For example, you may use your knowledge to assess organizational structures and challenges in criminal justice, utilize proper research methods, and utilize the theory-to-practice process.

As a doctoral student, you may take courses like:

• Research in Criminal Justice
• Theory of Criminal Law
• Community-Based Corrections
• Ethics and Leadership in Criminal Justice Organizations
• Human Resource Management in Criminal Justice
• Strategic Planning in Criminal Justice
• Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
• Advanced Theories and Research in Crime and Delinquency

The time you spend in the classroom is meant to expand your knowledge and give you the skills you need to thrive in different professional environments. You put that knowledge to work in several different ways. Many Oregon schools require an internship or practicum course, in which you may spend up to 10 hours per week at a local criminal justice agency. In addition, you can use the research skills you gain as a student to write your dissertation, a process that may take two years or more.

With a criminal justice PhD, you can explore different career paths and find out how you can contribute to this field. Find out how you can get started by requesting information from criminal justice graduate programs today.