PhD in Criminal Justice Programs in Rhode Island

What Can I Do With My PhD in Criminal Justice in Rhode Island?

Although Rhode Island is generally a very safe state, there are still several ways in which its criminal justice industry could be improved. Rhode Island has the second-highest probation rate in the entire country (Brown Daily Herald, 2016). This may be due to the lengthy probation terms required by state law. This issue can make it difficult for offenders to improve their lives and may cost the state millions of dollars each year.

Rhode Island is also overseeing efforts to reform juvenile justice sentencing standards (Rhode Island Catholic, 2016). Experts note that children are simply not equal to adults in terms of cognitive and moral development, a fact that may call for more lenient sentencing.

Through 2030, the criminal justice industry of Rhode Island is expected to remain stable. Job openings for judges may increase 9% during this time frame and criminal justice professors may see a 13% increase in demand (CareerOneStop, 2022). Salaries in Rhode Island tend to be significantly higher than national averages. An average salary of $206,060 is reported for judges (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022). Criminal justice professors earn a median salary of $64,990 annually in Rhode Island (CareerOneStop, 2022).

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island?

The amount of time you spend earning a PhD is dependent on how much education you have already completed. If you have a Master’s degree in criminal justice or a similar field, you may need as few as 40 credits to finish your doctoral degree. If you have a Bachelor’s degree, you should anticipate earning about 80 credits. This amounts to three to six years of study for most students.

You tackle advanced topics and challenges in many specific areas of criminal justice at this level of study. Through your training, you may analyze justice system policy, look into complicated aspects of criminology, study administrative theory, and learn about the management of criminal justice agencies.

To accomplish these goals, you may take courses like:

• Survey of Research Methods
• Legal Issues in the US Justice System
• Crime and Public Policy
• Criminological Theory
• Analysis of Criminal Justice Date
• Criminal Procedures in Investigation
• Criminal Procedures in Adjudication
• Criminal Law

At different stages of your education, you may be expected to demonstrate your understanding. After approximately two years, you may write a Master’s thesis. This step is generally skipped if you are you have a Master’s degree. You may also take a comprehensive examination before beginning your doctoral courses. The final test of your program is your dissertation, a detailed piece of research writing that thoroughly explores a question or issue that you choose.

In addition to your research and examination, you may be expected to complete practical experience in your field. Quite a few programs require a semester-long internship at a local criminal justice agency, research facility, or government agency.

Criminal justice PhD programs give you the chance to start making a name for yourself in your chosen specialty. As you start applying for acceptance to programs, consider what type of research you want to do and how you want to use it in your career. This may help you select an advisor whose research interests are in line with your own.

The work you do now can shape your future for decades to come. Invest in your career and reach out to criminal justice doctorate programs in Rhode Island.