Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Criminal Justice
Unlock Your Potential in the Criminal Justice Field with a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice from Liberty University
If you are an experienced law enforcement professional, Liberty’s online Ph.D. in Criminal Justice can prepare you for senior leadership roles in criminal justice organizations at all levels of government. Through advanced research and analysis of criminal justice practices, you can learn how to assess and improve government and law enforcement organizations while mastering techniques in teaching and leadership. With training from experienced criminal justice scholars founded in a Christian worldview, Liberty’s Ph.D. in Criminal Justice can provide you with biblically-based training to lead effectively in your field with integrity.
With our general track and specializations in homeland security and leadership, you can diversify your opportunities for career advancement. You will be taught by professors who integrate biblical values into each course, providing a well-rounded education based on the principle of integrity, which is highly regarded in the field of criminal justice.
What Will You Study in the Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Online Degree?
- Transnational organized crime
- Advanced topics in terrorism and intelligence
- Criminal justice organizational conflict
- Stress management in criminal justice
Our flexible and affordable Ph.D. in Criminal Justice offers a general track as well as two specializations: homeland security and leadership. The core courses within the program provide training in crime causation, international crime rings, advanced juvenile justice and corrections policy, and terrorism.
- Our homeland security specialization provides advanced training in cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and counterintelligence strategies.
- Our leadership specialization provides an advanced study of criminal justice leadership techniques, strategic planning, and advanced HR development.
Potential Career Options
- Administration/management (federal, state, or local)
- Administrator (department chair, dean, chancellor)
- Crime scene investigation unit manager
- Criminal investigator
- Forensics investigator
- Police chief
- Polygraph examiner/operator
- Prison warden
- Professor/instructor
- Researcher
- Sheriff
- Writer (textbooks, criminal justice theory)
Benefits of Earning Our Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Online
As a leader in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create a flexible and affordable education for busy people. Since we have been investing in distance and online learning for decades, our experience has taught us how to streamline our degree options so you can focus on what really matters to you. While many schools offer online degrees, we believe Liberty stands out.
Here’s what sets us apart:
- Our online programs are backed by our brick-and-mortar campus – ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America – and that commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well. Earning your online Ph.D. in Criminal Justice degree from a nonprofit university with this kind of recognition can help set you apart from others in your field.
- Online undergraduate tuition rates have been frozen for the last 10 years. While many other online colleges have raised tuition, Liberty has been able to keep costs low as a nonprofit university.
Military Tuition Discount
We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want — at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour. Here’s how:
- If you’re earning or have earned a master’s degree through Liberty, you automatically qualify for the low price (when you begin within 2 years of your master’s completion).
- If you haven’t earned a graduate degree through Liberty, our Executive Certificate program allows you to pay only $300/credit hour for a postgraduate certificate that can stand alone or potentially count as the first 21 hours of a related doctoral degree. Then pay just $300/credit hour for your doctorate. Learn more!
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These rates are reflective of academic year 2024-2025. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Credit Hours
Transfer Credits
Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total
Next Start Date
Jun 23, 2025
Accreditation
Liberty University is accredited by SACSCOC
600+ Online Degrees
With over 600 online degrees, we have something that will accommodate your dreams and calling.
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus
Our residential campus ranked among Niche.com’s Top 5 College Campuses in America. That commitment to excellence extends to our online students as well.
No tuition increase for 9 years
We want to help you pursue your goals – so while tuition rates at most universities have continued to increase over the years, the majority of our rates haven’t.
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Hear from our Graduates
“The best part of my LU experience has been my growing faith formation through my developing educational understanding, as an aspiring school administrator.”
Megan Schultz, EdD School Administration & Supervision
“Liberty offers an affordable, Christ-centered education, honoring the foundations of our country. I have learned how to apply a Biblical worldview to my work in public policy while adequately knowing history and the founding documents of United States.”
Morgan Schlesselman, Master’s in Public Policy
“There have been so many highly qualified professors who have sown generously into my academic endeavors at Liberty that encouraged me when I felt like giving up.”
James, Master of Divinity
