2022–2023 Walden University Catalog (September 2022)
PhD in Criminal Justice
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 Return to: College of Psychology and Community Services
The PhD in Criminal Justice program helps prepare students with the skills needed to pursue a range of criminal justice-related roles including leadership and education. Spanning topics such as homeland security, human services, and the role of technology in law enforcement, the curriculum examines contemporary criminal justice theory and practice while outlining some of the national and global issues facing the field today. Students can choose from six optional specializations to create a program of study that is tailored to their professional objectives.
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Learning Outcomes
Upon graduation, students will be able to:
- Evaluate the root causes of crime and its impact on criminal justice policies, practices, and procedures.
- Evaluate management philosophies in managing human resources in criminal justice organizations.
- Synthesize theory and research on the historical trends and current perspectives in criminal justice.
- Apply data analysis techniques and research design methods to scholarly research in criminal justice.
- Evaluate the role of criminal justice in advancing social justice and positive social change.
Program Types
General (Track I)—Track I is a program of study for students who have a master’s degree in criminal justice or a related field.
General (Track II)—Track II is a program of study for students who have a master’s degree in a discipline unrelated to the criminal justice field.
Specializations
Changing specializations may increase a student’s expected time-to-degree completion and cost.
General Program (Track I)
Minimum Degree Requirements
- Doctoral Writing Assessment
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Foundation course (3 cr.)
- Core courses (20 cr.)
- Specialization/elective courses (15 cr.)
- Research courses (20 cr.)
- Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation support courses (5 cr.)
- Dissertation writing courses (5 cr. per term for a minimum of four terms taken continuously until completion)
- Quarter Plans
- Four PhD residencies
Foundation Course (3 cr.)
Specialization/Elective Courses (15 cr.)
These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page. For the general program, students select three courses from any of the PhD in Criminal Justice specialization courses.
Research Courses (20 cr.)
Residency Requirements
- Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; should be completed within 90 days of completing your Foundations course.
- Complete Residency 2 within 18 months of your start date or linked to your registration for or completion of your first research course.
- Complete Residency 3 by the end of your third year.
- Complete Residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as follows:
- Optional: Complete a PhD dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your dissertation. Contact Student Success Advising to register.
Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation
- CRJS 8115 - Writing a Quality Prospectus
- CRJS 9000 - Dissertation
* Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.
To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.
Course Sequence
* Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.
To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.
Fast-Track Option Program of Study – Track I
Walden offers a Fast-Track Option. With the Fast-Track Option, students take up to three courses and a dissertation preparatory course to expedite their path through the program.
Minimum Degree Requirements
- Doctoral Writing Assessment
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Foundation course (3 cr.)
- Core courses (20 cr.)
- Specialization/elective courses (15 cr.)
- Research courses (20 cr.)
- Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation support course (5 cr.)
- Dissertation writing courses (5 cr. per term for a minimum of three terms taken continuously until completion)
- Quarter Plans
- Four PhD residencies
In addition, students must
- Pass a writing assessment.
- Submit an application essay.
- Maintain a 3.0 GPA.
Walden students have up to 8 years to complete their doctoral program unless they petition for an extension.
In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.
To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.
Course Sequence (Fast Track for Track I)
Note: PhD in Criminal Justice Fast-Track Option courses are identified with an ACRJ course prefix for enrollment purposes. ACRJ course descriptions align with corresponding CRJS courses, as listed below.
Students undertake courses in the following sequence.
| Quarter |
Course |
Credits |
| 1 |
|
3 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| 2 |
|
5 cr. |
| CRJS XXXX Specialization or Elective Course |
5 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| * |
1 cr. |
| 3 |
CRJS XXXX Specialization or Elective Course |
5 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| * |
1 cr. |
| CRJS XXXX Specialization or Elective Course |
5 cr. |
| 4 |
|
5 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| ** |
3 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| 5 |
RSCH 8260O - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis [Inactivated 11/4/2021] OR OR |
5 cr. |
| 5+ |
|
5 cr. for a minimum of 3 terms; continuously enrolled until completion |
* In quarters 2 and 3, CRJS 9000 is equivalent to ACRJ 9001A. ACRJ 9001A is a one-credit course.
** In quarter 4, CRJS 9000 is evivalent to ACRJ 9001B.ACRJ 9001B is a one-credit course.
General Program (Track II)
Minimum Degree Requirements
- Doctoral Writing Assessment
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Foundation course (3 cr.)
- Core courses (35 cr.)
- Specialization courses (15 cr.)
- Note: The General program does not require electives or specialization courses.
- Research courses (20 cr.)
- Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation support course (5 cr.)
- Dissertation writing courses (5 cr. per term for a minimum of four terms taken continuously until completion)
- Quarter Plans
- Four PhD residencies
Foundation Course (3 cr.)
Specialization Courses (15 cr.)
These courses are dependent upon the particular specialization. Please see the course list on each specialization page.
Research Courses (20 cr.)
Residency Requirements
- Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; should be completed within 90 days of completing your Foundations course.
- Complete Residency 2 within 18 months of your start date or linked to your registration for or completion of your first research course.
- Complete Residency 3 by the end of your third year.
- Complete Residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as follows:
- Optional: Complete a PhD dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during your dissertation. Contact Student Success Advising to register.
Completion of the Doctoral Dissertation
- CRJS 8115 - Writing a Quality Prospectus
- CRJS 9000 - Dissertation
Students take this course for a minimum of four quarters and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.
To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.
Course Sequence
Students undertake courses in the following sequence.
| Quarter |
Course |
Credits |
| 1 |
|
3 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| |
Complete Residency 1 as soon as you begin your program; should be completed within 90 days of completing your Foundations course. |
|
| 2 |
|
5 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| 3 |
|
5 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| 4 |
|
5 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| |
Complete Residency 2 within 18 months of your start date or linked to your registration for or completion of your first research course. |
|
| 5 |
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5 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| |
Complete Residency 3 by the end of your third year. |
|
| 6 |
|
5 cr. |
| Specialization Course 1 |
5 cr. |
| 7 |
Specialization Course 2 |
5 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| |
Complete Residency 4 after your prospectus is approved as follows:
|
|
| 8 |
OR OR |
5 cr. |
| Specialization Course 3 |
5 cr. |
| 9+ |
* |
5 cr. per term for a minimum of 4 terms; taken continuously until completion |
| |
Optional: Complete a PhD dissertation intensive (DRWI 8500) during CRJS 9000. Contact Student Success Advising to register. |
|
* Students take this course for a minimum of four terms and are continuously enrolled until completion of their dissertation with final chief academic officer (CAO) approval. In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.
To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.
Fast-Track Option Program of Study – Track II
Walden offers a Fast-Track Option. With the Fast-Track Option, students take up to three courses and a dissertation preparatory course to expedite their path through the program.
Minimum Degree Requirements
- Doctoral Writing Assessment
- Professional Development Plan and Program of Study
- Foundation course (3 cr.)
- Core courses (35 cr.)
- Specialization courses (15 cr.)
- Note: The General program does not require electives or specialization courses.
- Research courses (20 cr.)
- Completion of Doctoral Dissertation
- Dissertation support course (5 cr.)
- Dissertation writing courses (5 cr. per term for a minimum of three terms taken continuously until completion)
- Quarter Plans
Walden students have up to 8 years to complete their doctoral program unless they petition for an extension.
In general, students are continuously registered in the dissertation course until they complete their capstone project and it is approved. This usually takes longer than the minimum required terms in the dissertation course shell.
To complete a doctoral dissertation, students must obtain the academic approval of several independent evaluators including their committee, the University Research Reviewer, and the Institutional Review Board; pass the Form and Style Review; gain approval at the oral defense stage; and gain final approval by the chief academic officer. Students must also publish their dissertation on ProQuest before their degree is conferred. Learn more about the dissertation process in the Dissertation Guidebook.
Course Sequence (Fast Track for Track II)
Note: PhD in Criminal Justice Fast-Track Option courses are identified with an ACRJ course prefix for enrollment purposes. ACRJ course descriptions align with corresponding CRJS courses, as listed below.
Students undertake courses in the following sequence.
| Quarter |
Course |
Credits |
| 1 |
|
3 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| 2 |
|
5 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| * |
1 cr. |
| 3 |
|
5 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| * |
1 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| 4 |
|
5 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| |
5 cr. |
| ** |
3 cr. |
| 5 |
RSCH 8260O - Advanced Quantitative Reasoning and Analysis [Inactivated 11/4/2021] OR OR |
5 cr. |
| 5+ |
|
3 cr. per term for a minimum of 3 terms; continuously enrolled until completion |
* In quarters 2 and 3, CRJS 9000 is equivalent to ACRJ 9001A. ACRJ 9001A is a one-credit course.
** In quarter 4, CRJS 9000 is equivalent to ACRJ 9001B. ACRJ 9001B is a one-credit course.
Master of Philosophy (Embedded Degree)
Walden awards the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) degree to recognize PhD students for academic achievement leading up to their dissertation. With an MPhil, students will be able to demonstrate to employers and others that they have an advanced knowledge base in their field of study as well as proficiency in research design and evaluation.
- Students are eligible to apply for this credential while continuing their PhD program once they have completed:
- All required PhD core courses (or KAMs)
- All required PhD specialization courses (or KAMs)
- All required doctoral research and advanced research courses
- Program prospectus development course
- Residencies 1, 2, and 3
- A minimum 3.0 GPA is mandatory.
- The MPhil requires a minimum of 45 quarter credits. Maximum transfer of credit varies by program but is not to exceed 50% of the overall, or embedded, program requirements.
Doctoral Writing Assessment
Students who start or readmit to doctoral programs at Walden University in the university catalog for academic year 2017 or later will complete the university’s required doctoral writing assessment. Designed to evaluate incoming doctoral students’ writing skills, this assessment aims to help prepare incoming doctoral students to meet the university’s expectations for writing at the doctoral level.
8-Year Maximum Time Frame
Students have up to 8 years to complete their doctoral degree requirements (see Enrollment Requirements). Students may petition to extend the 8-year maximum time frame, but an extension is not guaranteed.
Note on Licensure
Walden’s PhD in Criminal Justice program is not considered a Professional Peace Officer Education Program for the state of Minnesota and is not designed or intended to prepare graduates for licensure as a peace officer, police officer, or other law enforcement officer in any state.
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Return to: College of Psychology and Community Services
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