{"id":2722,"date":"2026-08-20T20:42:35","date_gmt":"2026-08-20T20:42:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/?page_id=2722"},"modified":"2026-08-20T20:42:36","modified_gmt":"2026-08-20T20:42:36","slug":"ph-d-criminal-justice-program-requirements-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/ph-d-criminal-justice-program-requirements-2\/","title":{"rendered":"Ph.D. Criminal Justice Program Requirements"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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\n\t\t\t\tDepartment of Criminal Justice\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\tPh.D. in Criminal Justice Program Requirements\n\t\t\t<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\tA cohort-based, face-to-face doctoral program that prepares experienced professionals to transform criminal justice practice through advanced research, applied scholarship, policy analysis, and leadership.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tView Degree Plan\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tProgram Handbook\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\"Bunch<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n\t\tOverview<\/a>\n\t\t    \n\t\tDegree Plan<\/a>\n\t\t    \n\t\tTimeline<\/a>\n\t\t    \n\t\tMilestones<\/a>\n\t\t    \n\t\tAcademic Standards<\/a>\n\t\t    \n\t\tDissertation<\/a>\n\t\t    \n\t\tAlumni<\/a>\n\t\t    \n\t\tResources<\/a>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\tProgram Overview\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\tThe Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice prepares students to address the growing complexity of criminal justice institutions through advanced analytical, research, critical-thinking, and leadership skills.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tThe program combines doctoral seminars, advanced quantitative and qualitative methods, criminological theory, comprehensive examinations, and an applied dissertation project with practical implications for criminal justice policy and practice.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tCourses are delivered face to face in a cohort format at Tarleton\u2019s Fort Worth campus. The structured sequence is designed with working professionals in mind and emphasizes sustained interaction with faculty members and criminal justice practitioners.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t52\u201354\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTotal Credit Hours\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u22484\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tYears to Completion\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tCohort\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tStructured Progression\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFace-to-Face\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tInteractive Doctoral Study\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tFort Worth\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tProgram Location\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\tDegree Completion Plan\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\tThe doctoral degree progresses through three connected phases: formal coursework, comprehensive examinations and candidacy, and dissertation research.\n\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPhase I\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDoctoral Coursework\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tApproximately 42 credits\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tComplete advanced coursework in criminological theory, statistics, research design, research methods, survey research, predictive policing, professional development, and approved electives.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPhase II\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tComprehensive Exams\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\t1\u20133 examination credits\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPass comprehensive examinations in criminological theory, research design and methods, and statistical analysis before advancing to doctoral candidacy.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPhase III\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDissertation Research\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tAt least 9 credits\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDevelop and defend a dissertation prospectus, complete an applied research project, prepare the written dissertation, and successfully complete the final oral defense.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\tContinuous Dissertation Enrollment\n\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\tAfter beginning dissertation research, students must remain enrolled in at least one dissertation credit each required term until the degree is completed, including the term in which the student graduates.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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View Catalog Requirements<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\tRecommended Four-Year Timeline\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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1<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Year One<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTwo courses in fall, two courses in spring, and two courses in summer.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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2<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Year Two<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTwo courses in fall and spring and one course in summer.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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3<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Year Three<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tTwo courses in fall, one course in spring, followed by comprehensive examinations by summer.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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4<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Year Four<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDissertation hours in fall, spring, and summer, followed by the final defense when ready.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\tDoctoral Progression and Milestones\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t1. Complete Required Coursework\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tComplete the prescribed doctoral curriculum and satisfy all academic-performance standards.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t2. Pass Comprehensive Examinations\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tDemonstrate doctoral-level mastery of criminological theory, research design and methods, and statistical analysis.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t3. Advance to Candidacy\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tComplete the required Admission to Candidacy process after successfully passing the comprehensive examinations.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t4. Complete the Prospectus Defense\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tDevelop the dissertation proposal and complete the oral prospectus defense at least one semester before the final dissertation defense.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t5. Complete and Defend the Dissertation\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tConduct the approved research, complete the written dissertation, and present a successful public oral defense.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\tAcademic Performance Standards\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\tCourse Grades\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tA grade of B or higher<\/strong> is required for a doctoral course to count toward the Ph.D. degree.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tStudents are expected to maintain satisfactory academic progress throughout the program. A second grade below B in the same course may result in removal from the doctoral program.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tProgram Progression\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tStudents must satisfy coursework, examination, candidacy, prospectus, dissertation, and defense requirements in the sequence established by the doctoral program.\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\tB\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tMinimum Course Grade\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tA grade of B or higher is required for the course to apply to the doctoral degree.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\tApplied Dissertation Requirements\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Prospectus<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tDevelop an applied research proposal identifying the problem, theoretical foundation, literature, research questions, methodology, and anticipated contribution.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Research<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tConduct the approved research in consultation with the dissertation chair and committee and in accordance with university research requirements.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Written Dissertation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPrepare a complete doctoral dissertation demonstrating rigorous scholarship and providing practical or policy-relevant implications for criminal justice.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Public Defense<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\t\tPresent and defend the dissertation before the doctoral committee in an oral defense open to the university community.\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\"Women<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\tAlumni Perspective\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tDr. Christina Camberos\n\t\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\t\tCriminal Justice Ph.D. Alumna \u201925\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\u201cEmbrace the struggle, trust your passion, and know that the skills you earned mean you get to make your own luck from here on out.\u201d\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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\n\t\t\tProgram Resources\n\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Use Graduate Catalog and Doctoral Program Handbook for detailed course requirements, policies, forms, procedures, and program expectations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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View Graduate Catalog<\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\tDownload Program Handbook\n\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
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\n\t\t\t\tAdvance from Coursework to Doctoral Scholarship\n\t\t\t<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\n\t\t\t\tReview the official requirements, follow the program milestones, and work closely with your faculty advisor and doctoral committee throughout the degree.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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Explore criminal justice department<\/strong><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tView Catalog Requirements\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Department of Criminal Justice Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Program Requirements A cohort-based, face-to-face doctoral program that prepares experienced professionals to transform criminal justice practice through advanced research, applied scholarship, policy …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":973,"featured_media":1995,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"functions-assets\/subsite-hero-page-template.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"advgb_blocks_editor_width":"","advgb_blocks_columns_visual_guide":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-2722","page","type-page","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry"],"acf":[],"coauthors":[],"author_meta":{"author_link":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/author\/semukhina\/","display_name":"semukhina"},"relative_dates":{"created":"Posted 3 days ago","modified":"Updated 3 days ago"},"absolute_dates":{"created":"Posted on August 20, 2026","modified":"Updated on August 20, 2026"},"absolute_dates_time":{"created":"Posted on August 20, 2026 8:42 pm","modified":"Updated on August 20, 2026 8:42 pm"},"featured_img_caption":"","featured_img":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/191\/2025\/11\/3-Ph.D.-grads-1-1568x1094.jpg","series_order":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2722","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/973"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2722"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2722\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3210,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2722\/revisions\/3210"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1995"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.tarleton.edu\/criminal-justice\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2722"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}