Skip to content
Criminal JusticeDegrees

PhD Programs in Criminal Justice, Criminology and Forensic Science

Research doctorates in criminal justice, criminology and forensic science, and formally documented research pathways. A faculty member who researches crime does not make a PhD a criminology PhD, and professional doctorates are not listed as PhDs. There is no fully online PhD listed unless the university itself presents one. How applying to a PhD works.

Listed alphabetically by school. This directory is not a ranking. What we list

American University logo

American University

PhD in Justice, Law & Criminology

Research doctoratePhDDedicated degreeDoctor of Philosophy
Format: Campus · Full-time
Location: Washington, DC
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: Duration not verified · 36 credits
Tuition: Tuition not verified
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: MSCHE
Subjects: Criminology · Criminal Justice · Homeland Security
View program

Capitol Technology University

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Forensic Criminology

Research doctoratePhDDedicated degreeOther forensicDoctor of Philosophy
Format: Fully online
Location: Laurel, MDSchool location, not a residency requirement
Attendance: No mandatory campus visits
Duration: Minimum of 60 credit hours; may require additional credit hours depending on dissertation time · 60 credits
Tuition: $980 per credit · All students — Doctoral students, per credit · Fall 2026-Summer 202
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: MSCHE
Subjects: Criminology
View program

CUNY Graduate School and University Center

Ph.D. in Criminal Justice

Research doctoratePhDDedicated degreeDoctor of Philosophy
Format: Campus · Full-time
Location: New York City, NY
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: Students are expected to complete the doctoral degree in 5 years; all students must complete within 8 years. · 60 credits
Tuition: $1,235 per semester · In-state — Level III, full time, New York residents
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: MSCHE
Subjects: Criminology · Criminal Justice
View program
Florida International University logo

Florida International University

Ph.D. in International Crime and Justice

Research doctoratePhDDedicated degreeDoctor of Philosophy
Format: Campus · Fully online
Location: Miami, FLSchool location, not a residency requirement
Attendance: Fully online as published (no separate campus-visit statement)
Duration: A commitment that may take up to 5 years, on average · 75 credits
Tuition: Tuition not verified
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: SACSCOC
Subjects: Criminology · Criminal Justice
View program
George Mason University logo

George Mason University

PhD in Criminology, Law and Society

Research doctoratePhDDedicated degreeDoctor of Philosophy
Format: Campus
Location: Fairfax, VA
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: About four years full-time with a prior relevant graduate degree; usually within six years for those entering without one (earning the MA and PhD) (full-time study) · 72 credits
Tuition: Tuition not verified
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: SACSCOC
Subjects: Criminology · Criminal Justice
View program
Format: Online
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FLSchool location, not a residency requirement
Attendance: Online attendance requirements not verified
Duration: 24 - 40 Months (estimate; time to completion varies) (estimate varying by case-by-case factors, per the page note) · 54 credits
Tuition: Tuition not verified
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: SACSCOC
Subjects: Criminology · Criminal Justice
View program
Liberty University logo

Liberty University

Criminal Justice (Ph.D.)

Research doctoratePhDDedicated degreeDoctor of Philosophy
Format: Fully online
Location: Lynchburg, VASchool location, not a residency requirement
Attendance: Fully online as published (no separate campus-visit statement)
Duration: Duration not verified · 60 credits
Tuition: Tuition not verified
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: SACSCOC
Subjects: Criminal Justice · Criminology
View program
Michigan State University logo

Michigan State University

Criminal Justice, Doctor of Philosophy

Research doctoratePhDDedicated degreeDoctor of Philosophy
Format: Campus
Location: East Lansing, MI
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: Duration not verified · 60 credits
Tuition: Tuition not verified
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: HLC
Subjects: Criminal Justice · Criminology
View program
North Carolina A & T State University logo

North Carolina A & T State University

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice

Research doctoratePhDDedicated degreeCJ with forensic focusDoctor of Philosophy
Format: Campus
Location: Greensboro, NC
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: Duration not verified · 65 credits
Tuition: Tuition not verified
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: SACSCOC
Subjects: Criminal Justice · Digital Forensics
View program
Northeastern University logo

Northeastern University

Criminology and Justice Policy, PhD (Boston)

Research doctoratePhDDedicated degreeDoctor of Philosophy
Format: Campus · Full-time
Location: Boston, MA
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: Duration not verified · 54 credits
Tuition: Tuition not verified
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: NECHE
Subjects: Criminology · Criminal Justice
View program
Nova Southeastern University logo

Nova Southeastern University

Ph.D. in Criminal Justice

Research doctoratePhDDedicated degreeDoctor of Philosophy
Format: Fully online
Location: Fort Lauderdale, FLSchool location, not a residency requirement
Attendance: Fully online as published (no separate campus-visit statement)
Duration: Duration not verified · 60 credits
Tuition: $1,315 per credit · All students — Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, per credit hour without scholarships/program discounts
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: SACSCOC
Subjects: Criminology · Criminal Justice · Juvenile Justice
View program
Penn State University logo

Penn State University

Criminology, Ph.D.

Research doctoratePhDDedicated degreeDoctor of Philosophy
Format: Campus
Location: University Park, PA
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: Duration not verified · 30 credits
Tuition: Tuition not verified
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: MSCHE
Subjects: Criminology
View program
Sam Houston State University logo

Sam Houston State University

Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice

Research doctoratePhDDedicated degreeDoctor of Philosophy
Format: Campus
Location: Huntsville, TX
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: Duration not verified · 57 credits
Tuition: $9,488 per academic year · In-state — Full-time graduate, Texas resident (tuition and fees, fall 2026 and spring 2027 estimate) · 2026-2027
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: SACSCOC
Subjects: Criminal Justice
View program
Sam Houston State University logo

Sam Houston State University

Doctor of Philosophy in Digital and Cyber Forensic Science

Research doctoratePhDDedicated degreeDigital forensicsDoctor of Philosophy
Format: Campus
Location: Huntsville, TX
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: 4 + 1 years
Tuition: $9,488 per academic year · In-state — Full-time graduate, Texas resident (tuition and fees, fall 2026 and spring 2027 estimate) · 2026-2027
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: SACSCOC
Subjects: Digital Forensics
View program
Sam Houston State University logo

Sam Houston State University

Doctor of Philosophy in Forensic Science

Research doctoratePhDDedicated degreeLaboratory scienceDoctor of Philosophy
Format: Campus
Location: Huntsville, TX
Attendance: Campus-based study
Duration: typically four to five years of full-time study (full-time) · 86 credits
Tuition: $9,488 per academic year · In-state — Full-time graduate, Texas resident (tuition and fees, fall 2026 and spring 2027 estimate) · 2026-2027
Next deadline: No upcoming verified deadline
Accreditation: Institution accredited: SACSCOC
Subjects: Forensic Science
View program