Online Doctorate in Criminal Justice – General Intellectual Pursuit of Improved Criminal Justice

60

Credit Hours

View Courses

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

The job of a criminal justice practitioner is not always easy. Officers are on standby 24/7 – protecting citizens from the dangers of meditated and unmeditated crime. Judges face difficult decisions, government prosecutors must build strong cases, and probation officers strive to help parolees acclimate to their recently restored freedom.

You understand that effective law enforcement officials need training, discipline, knowledge, and compassion to succeed in their work — and you know that the best leaders inspire their teams to work diligently in the service of their community. If you’ve dedicated your career to the safety of the citizens you serve, Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Criminal Justice (DCJ) – General degree can help you increase your knowledge of crime prevention and deterrence as you pursue senior leadership roles in the criminal justice system.

The goal of our Doctor of Criminal Justice online is to help you become a confident leader — one who can navigate complex challenges, provide effective solutions in a timely manner, and earn the trust of citizens and officers alike. By partnering with Liberty for your online doctorate in criminal justice, you can earn a life-changing credential capable of helping you launch your career to new heights.


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Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America

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

As a pioneer in distance education since 1985, we understand what it takes to create an online criminal justice degree program that challenges you and also respects your commitments. We realize that your personal responsibilities don’t go away when you enroll in a degree program, which is why our Doctor of Criminal Justice — General can be completed 100% online with no set login times and no required intensives. As an online student, you won’t have to commute to campus at any point during your degree.

Another advantage of pursuing Liberty’s online Doctor of Criminal Justice is the degree’s versatility. While this program can be used for career advancement in law enforcement, it could also be your ticket to a teaching position at a college or university.

The credibility of our online Doctor of Criminal Justice is backed by our institutional accreditation. Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), which means that our academic programs have met rigorous standards and can help you reach your career goals.


Our online Doctor of Criminal Justice program consists of 5 sections: core courses, research and evaluation courses, advanced focus classes, the general specialization, and a capstone sequence.

In the core courses, you will study theories of crime and comparative criminal justice systems. You will also study advanced juvenile justice policy and advanced corrections policy. The research and evaluation courses will guide you through advanced research design, quantitative and qualitative research methods, and a program evaluation.

The advanced focus section of our online criminal justice doctorate will cover transnational organized crime, advanced topics in terrorism and intelligence, and organizational conflict in criminal justice systems. In this section, you can also learn how to manage the stress that comes with working in criminal justice.

The general specialization of our online criminal justice doctorate consists of 3 free-elective courses. This means that you are offered your choice of 3 doctoral government courses – allowing you to study the topics you’re most interested in.

The capstone sequence is the final phase of your degree. The criminal justice doctoral capstone consists of 5 classes that will guide you through the process of identifying an issue in the field of criminal justice, conducting research on that issue, and then providing a data-based solution to the problem.

Degree Completion Plan (PDF)


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Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.


Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Doctoral Full Time $595/Credit
Doctoral Part Time $650/Credit

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour (learn more).

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Submit your application online or over the phone.


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 $300/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.