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Criminal JusticeDegrees
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Criminology, Ph.D.

Research doctoratePhDDedicated degreeOn campus

Overview

Ph.D. in Criminology at University Park with a qualifying examination, comprehensive examination and dissertation.

Official program name
Criminology, Ph.D.
Awarded degree
Doctor of Philosophy · major: Criminology
Source: bulletins.psu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Degree level
Doctoral — research doctorate
Subject focus
Dedicated degreeThe degree itself is in criminal justice, criminology, forensic science or a closely related justice subject.
Source: bulletins.psu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
School
Location
University Park, PA
Subjects
Criminology — core of the degree
Required credits
30 credits beyond the M.A.
Source: bulletins.psu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Duration
Not verified
Why this program is listed

Dedicated research doctorate in criminology at University Park.

Dedicated research doctorate in criminology at University Park.

Source: bulletins.psu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

We list associate, bachelor's, master's and research-doctorate programs in criminal justice, criminology, forensic science and related subjects at institutionally accredited US schools — degrees in the subject and formal concentrations, never certificates or one-elective degrees. Eligibility rules

Format and attendance

Formats, online delivery, campus visits, internships and class schedule are shown separately, each only as the school states it.
Formats offered
On campus
Source: bulletins.psu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Internship
Internship requirement: not verified
Study intensity
Not verified

Curriculum

Other

Careers and licensure

An academic degree and an occupational licence are different things.

Career and licensure statements for this program: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

A degree does not guarantee police academy admission, sworn officer certification, federal employment, a security clearance, a position with a named agency, a forensic laboratory job or eligibility to practice as a psychologist. Those have separate training, scientific prerequisites, examinations or hiring requirements set by the agency, state or licensing board. Academic degrees vs police academy training

Research and doctoral requirements

Research areas, supervision, examinations and residency as the school publishes them.

Research areas

Choosing a supervisor

  • The Ph.D. committee is chaired by a Criminology tenure-line faculty member who ordinarily serves as general adviser and dissertation director.
    Source: bulletins.psu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Qualifying examinations

Dissertation

  • Students write and orally defend a dissertation reflecting original research.
    Source: bulletins.psu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Admissions

Required, optional, waived and not-required items are shown exactly as the school states them. Anything not listed is not verified — not “not required”.
Prior degree
RequiredApplications with either a B.A. or M.A. degree are accepted for fall admission.
Source: bulletins.psu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Recommendation letters
Required3 letters — Three letters of recommendation.
Source: bulletins.psu.edu · verified October 24, 2026
Writing sample
RequiredA sample of written work such as a term paper.
Source: bulletins.psu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

Tests

GRE General Test
RequiredVerbal, quantitative and writing scores listed among selection materials.
Source: bulletins.psu.edu · verified October 24, 2026

We do not publish acceptance rates or estimate admission chances.

Start dates and deadlines

Dates are shown with the term the school printed. A past date is marked passed and is never carried into a new cycle.

Application deadlines: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

Tuition and fees

Each amount keeps its student category, academic year and basis. Per-credit, per-term and whole-program figures are not comparable with each other, and tuition is not the full cost of attendance.

Tuition for this program: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

Scholarships and funding

Awards published by the school for this program or for its level. Loans must be repaid and are not scholarships; service scholarships require government service after graduation. Graduate funding guide

Program-specific scholarships: not verified. We publish this only when the institution states it on an official page.

Accreditation

Two different things: the school's institutional accreditation, and FEPAC accreditation of this exact forensic science program.

Institutional accreditation

  • Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE) — accreditedSource: ope.ed.gov · verified October 10, 2026

FEPAC program accreditation

This program does not appear in FEPAC's accredited-program list. FEPAC accredits forensic science programs only and is optional; its absence is not a sign that a program is illegitimate, and the school's other programs or institutional accreditation do not imply it.

Sources and verification

Every fact on this page comes from the official pages and directories below. Last verified October 24, 2026.
  1. bulletins.psu.edu/graduate/programs/majors/criminology/ — Official catalog / bulletin, verified October 24, 2026
  2. DAPIP — MSCHE institutional accreditation record (data files downloaded 2026-10-10) — U.S. Department of Education dataset (IPEDS / DAPIP), verified October 10, 2026

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Similar programs at other schools

Same degree level and focus. Listed for discovery, not ranked.

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

Criminal Justice Degrees is independent and not affiliated with Penn State University. Information is collected from official pages and directories and can change; confirm requirements, costs and deadlines with the school.