Doctor of Criminal Justice Hone Your Expertise
Pursue the Administration of Justice with an Online Doctorate in Criminal Justice
Are you interested in defending those around you, your community, and the general public? The need for criminal justice professionals who can provide insight into and change the landscape of criminal justice has never been greater. At Liberty University, we believe the administration of justice is critical. Part of our mission of Training Champions for Christ involves protecting those who are most vulnerable.
In our Doctor of Criminal Justice (DCJ) program, you will have the opportunity to pick a specialization so you can hone your skills in a specific area. Are you interested in protecting your country and preparing for and preventing attacks domestically and abroad? Or are you looking to move up the ranks to a leadership role in a criminal justice organization? At Liberty, no matter where your interests lie, we are ready to partner with you as you prepare to take the next step in your criminal justice career!
Your officially conferred degree name will be Doctor of Criminal Justice (DCJ).
What Will You Study in Our Doctor of Criminal Justice Online Degree?
In our online doctorate in criminal justice core courses, you can learn many of the basic tenets of criminal justice. For example, you will begin by taking courses in criminology, criminal justice administration, and justice policy. These courses are designed so that you can construct effective strategies and make needed changes within criminal justice organizations.
In addition, you will take courses that analyze different criminal justice systems, juvenile justice systems, and advanced corrections policy. You will also take research courses focused on transnational crime, organizational conflict, terrorism and intelligence, and stress management in criminal justice. After this, you have the choice to take elective courses and customize your path of study or to pursue a specific specialization in homeland security or leadership.
If you choose one of these specializations, you will then take further courses to foster your skills and challenge you to identify problems and create solutions within the criminal justice field. Some of the topics that you will study if you pursue a homeland security specialization include weapons of mass destruction (WMDs) and chemical, biological, radiological, nuclear, and high yield explosives (CBRNE) as well as counterterrorism and risk management.
If you choose the leadership specialization, you will study a wide variety of topics, including strategic management and advanced human resources advancement in criminal justice organizations. If you decide to pursue the general track and mix and match courses, you can pursue a wide swathe of criminal justice online classes that are offered by the Helms School of Government.
Featured Courses
Degree Information
Why Choose Liberty’s Online Degree?
Backed by a brick-and-mortar campus ranked as Niche.com’s #2 Best College Campus in America for 2026
What Sets Us Apart?
- Private Nonprofit University
- 600+ Online Degrees
- No Standardized Testing for Admission
- Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
- Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree
Potential Careers for Doctor of Criminal Justice Graduates
- Compliance manager
- Crime scene investigation unit manager
- Criminal justice professor
- Federal agent
- Police chief/sheriff
- Police detective
- Prison warden
- Public policy advisor
- Threat assessment analyst
Degree Options for Liberty’s Online Doctorate of Criminal Justice
At Liberty, you can choose a specialization in our Doctor of Criminal Justice. That way, you can pick a course of study that best aligns with your career goals. If you have a very specific course of study that you desire to take, you can also choose our general specialization, which allows you to pick courses tailored to your unique interests.
General
Homeland Security
Leadership
Not sure what to choose?
Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.
Tuition & Aid
At Liberty University, a private Christian education is less expensive than you think. Over the last 10 years, Liberty University’s Online Program has only raised its standard tuition costs by less than 5% – and most of our online tuition rates rank in the top 35% for affordability for 2025 when compared to our leading online competitors.
| Doctoral Full Time | $610/Credit |
|---|---|
| Doctoral Part Time | $675/Credit |
Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $375/credit hour (learn more).
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
All Tuition & Fees
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Admission Information for Our Online Doctor of Criminal Justice Degree
Admission Requirements
Preliminary Acceptance
Transcript Policies
Admissions Office Contact Information
Military
Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.
Who May Qualify?
- Active Duty
- Reserve/National Guard
- Veterans/Retirees
- Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees
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 $375/credit hour. Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.
These rates are reflective of academic year 2025-2026. Tuition rates may change annually. For the most current information, please visit our LU Tuition Cost page.
Frequently Asked Questions for Our Online Doctorate of Criminal Justice
Are there resources available to online students?
Why should I pursue a DCJ?
Is the program flexible?
Inner Navigation
- Overview
- What Will You Study?
- What Sets Us Apart?
- Potential Careers
- Specializations
- Tuition & Aid
- Admission Information
- Military
- FAQs
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