PhD in Criminal Justice Programs in Vermont

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

Vermont legislators have proposed a criminal justice reform law (WCAX, 2016). This law aims to reduce recidivism rates and shorten prison sentences for nonviolent crimes. For it to work, it requires the collaboration of justice professionals and social services professionals.

Another major success of justice advocates in Vermont is the Ban the Box law. This law stops employers from asking about criminal convictions before interviewing an applicant and making a job offer (Vermont Biz, 2016). Legislators hope that this law will make it easier for ex-offenders to integrate into society, find meaningful work, and enjoy a fresh start.

Doctoral programs in Vermont lay the groundwork for different careers. Demand for administrative law judges in Vermont should remain steady through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022). Their average salary is currently $78,130 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).

You can also look into becoming a judge. Judges have an average salary of $144,160 annually (BLS, 2022). Job openings should remain steady through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

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

At criminal justice schools, Vermont programs hope to graduate skilled researchers, postsecondary instructors, legislators, and administrators. To get ready for this wide range of careers, you must devote approximately five years to full-time education beyond your Bachelor’s degree. If you have already earned a Master’s degree, you may graduate in roughly three years.

The courses you take determine what you learn and which careers you can pursue. Below, find commonly required courses and course descriptions:

• Law Enforcement Administration: Leadership as it relates to police administration, human resources, workforce development, productivity, community policies, and crime prevention
• Law and the International System: A look at international law terminology, theory of international criminal justice, and history; environmental law and humanitarian law are two areas of focus
• Criminal Justice Research, Practices, and Technology: Crime control policies; data analysis and technology in the field of criminal justice
• International Terrorism: The growth of international terrorism, including motivation, ideology, and long-term goals; comparative analysis is the primary technique used in this course
• Responses to Terrorism: An in-depth analysis of policies and strategies used to stop and prevent terrorism

As a PhD student, you may be expected to complete an internship at a local criminal justice agency. This is especially true if you do not yet have work experience in criminal justice. You may look into opportunities in courtrooms, police departments, and correctional facilities. You should expect to spend at least one semester working as an intern.

Research is another crucial component of a PhD. In addition to taking research courses, you’ll spend one to two years writing and defending a dissertation. This piece of research delves into a topic that interests you professionally. During this time, you work closely with a faculty advisor. Do some research into different programs to find an advisor with similar research interests.

The field of criminal justice is always evolving and finding new answers to challenges old and new. Become a bigger part of this field by contacting criminal justice doctorate programs today.