PhD in Criminal Justice
Cohort-based, face-to-face doctoral study that turns practitioner experience into applied scholarship, policy impact, and leadership.
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Program Snapshot
- Degree Completion Plan: 52–54 credit hours across three phases (coursework, prelims, dissertation).
- Cohort format, face-to-face in Fort Worth; designed for working professionals.
- Progression: Courses → Comprehensive Exams → Candidacy → Prospectus → Dissertation & Defense.
At a Glance
- Credits: 52–54
- Timeframe: ~4 years
- Delivery: Cohort, face-to-face
- Location: Fort Worth
Degree Completion Plan
Phase I — Coursework (≈42 credits)
Complete core seminars in criminological theory, research design, quantitative/qualitative methods, statistics, and leadership topics. Grade of B or higher required to count toward the Ph.D.
Phase II — Comprehensive Exams (1–3 credits)
Students must pass comprehensive exams (e.g., theory, research design/methods, statistics) before advancing to candidacy.
Phase III — Dissertation Research (≥9 credits)
- Develop applied dissertation proposal & complete oral proposal defense.
- Conduct research and complete the written dissertation.
- Final oral defense (open to the University community).
Registration note: maintain dissertation enrollment (≥1 credit) each term until completion, including the graduation term.
Recommended Timeline
Year 1
Two courses in Fall, two in Spring, and two in Summer.
Year 2
Two courses in Fall & Spring, one course in Summer.
Year 3
Two courses in Fall, one in Spring; take exams by Summer.
Year 4
Dissertation hours Fall, Spring, Summer; defend when ready.
Milestones & Policies
Coursework Performance
Earn a grade of B or higher in each course for it to count. A second grade below B in the same course may result in removal from the program.
Comprehensive Exams
Pass exams in criminological theory, research design/methods, and statistical analysis to advance toward candidacy.
Candidacy & Prospectus
After passing exams, file Admission to Candidacy and schedule a Prospectus Defense (at least one semester before the final defense).
Dissertation Enrollment
Complete at least 9 dissertation credits; remain enrolled for at least 1 dissertation credit each semester until graduation.
Final Defense
Present a public defense of your dissertation to the committee and University community.
Dr. Christina Camberos
CJ PhD Alumna’ 25
“Embrace the struggle, trust your passion, and know that the skills you earned mean you get to make your own luck from here on out”