Best Online Doctorate in Criminal Justice Programs 2024

Learn how a doctorate in criminal justice can lead to greater opportunities in this multidisciplinary field.
Bennett Leckrone
By
Edited by
Updated May 28, 2024
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If you want to delve into criminal justice research, advance to a leadership role, or head into an education job, a doctoral degree in criminal justice can prepare you for high-level roles.

Both a doctorate and Ph.D. in criminal justice are terminal degrees, meaning they’re the highest level of degree that can be attained. With a heavy focus on research and analysis, these degrees can help you stand out from the competition in the job market or take on research-heavy roles.

Read on to learn more about how doctorate degrees can help advance your career in criminal justice.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

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2024 Best Online Doctorate in Criminal Justice Programs

Keiser University

Fort Lauderdale, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$29,632

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$29,632

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

97%

Acceptance Rate

50%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$20,800

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,800

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

19,019

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$29,632

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,632

Fort Lauderdale, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$29,632

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$29,632

Acceptance Rate

97%

Online Enrollment

50%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$20,800

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$20,800

Retention Rate

68%

Students Enrolled

19,019

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

National University

San Diego, CA4 yearOnline

$15,480

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,480

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

55%

Acceptance Rate

80%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,320

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,320

Retention Rate

64%

Students Enrolled

18,631

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,480

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,480

San Diego, CA4 yearOnline

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$15,480

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$15,480

Acceptance Rate

55%

Online Enrollment

80%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$13,320

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,320

Retention Rate

64%

Students Enrolled

18,631

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Nova Southeastern University

Fort Lauderdale, FL4 yearCampus + Online

$21,153

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,153

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

76%

Acceptance Rate

52%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,510

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,510

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

20,939

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,153

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,153

Fort Lauderdale, FL4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$21,153

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$21,153

Acceptance Rate

76%

Online Enrollment

52%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$33,510

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$33,510

Retention Rate

78%

Students Enrolled

20,939

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

PennWest Global Online

California, PA4 yearCampus + Online

$9,288

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$13,932

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

97%

Acceptance Rate

80%

Online Enrollment
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,716

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,574

Retention Rate

67%

Students Enrolled

6,509

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,288

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,932

California, PA4 yearCampus + Online

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,288

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$13,932

Acceptance Rate

97%

Online Enrollment

80%

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$7,716

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$11,574

Retention Rate

67%

Students Enrolled

6,509

Institution Type

Public

Accreditation

Yes

Walden University

Minneapolis, MN4 yearOnline

$9,651

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,651

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

N/A

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment
Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,064

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,064

Retention Rate

25%

Students Enrolled

46,455

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,651

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,651

Minneapolis, MN4 yearOnline

Avg. Grad Tuition, In-State

$9,651

Avg. Grad Tuition, Out-of-state

$9,651

Acceptance Rate

N/A

Online Enrollment

N/A

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, In-State

$10,064

Avg. Undergrad Tuition, Out-of-state

$10,064

Retention Rate

25%

Students Enrolled

46,455

Institution Type

Private

Accreditation

Yes

What’s the Difference Between a Ph.D. and a DCJ?

There are several key differences between a Ph.D. in criminal justice and a DCJ:

DCJ stands for Doctor of Criminal Justice and is a relatively new professional doctorate degree. The first DCJ program in the United States launched in 2017 at Pennsylvania Western University, California. A DCJ is a professional doctorate, meaning it has more of a focus on applying criminal justice theory in the workplace.

A Ph.D. in criminal justice tends to be more focused on research and theory and will typically put a spotlight on conducting original research as opposed to applying theory to the workplace.

What Can You Do With an Online Doctorate in Criminal Justice?

An online doctoral degree in criminal justice can help you move into specialized roles within the workforce or head into a more research-focused or educational role.

A doctor of criminal justice features applied learning in areas like criminal justice leadership to prepare you for leadership roles in the field, such as a departmental director or a specialized analyst. A Ph.D. in criminal justice can also help you advance within the workforce, but with more of a focus on theory and research, and will open up doors in policy and educational fields.

Criminal justice is a vast, multidisciplinary field with applications well beyond the traditional law enforcement route. When paired with work experience, a doctoral degree in criminal justice can lead you to a number of varied, high-paying opportunities across industries.

Popular Careers With an Online Doctorate in Criminal Justice
CareerMedian Salary (2023)Job Outlook (2022-2023)
Forensic Scientists$64,94013%
Educational Coordinators$74,6202%
Emergency Management Directors$83,9603%
Professors$84,8308%
Cybersecurity Analysts$120,36032%
Policy Analysts$132,3507%
Source: BLS

What to Expect From an Online Doctorate in Criminal Justice Program

The time it takes you to finish a doctoral degree in criminal justice varies widely depending on the program.

Some schools offer DCJ programs that, based on credit transfers and the workload you take on, can be completed in as little as two years. Most doctoral programs will take you longer if you are working full time while pursuing your doctorate on a part-time basis. A typical Ph.D. usually takes longer than four years to complete.

Transferable coursework from prior study can be applied to some programs, but how much of your previous credits will count toward your degree depends on the college or university.

Your classwork will vary based on whether you pursue a DCJ or Ph.D. A DCJ will feature classes with technical learning around criminal justice policies and leadership, but a Ph.D. will have a more research-oriented curriculum.

Some criminal justice doctoral programs allow elective coursework and concentrations in areas like justice administration. Some also offer dual degree programs, allowing you to work toward a Ph.D. in criminal justice and a juris doctor (JD) degree simultaneously.

Criminal Justice Certifications and Licenses

There are a number of certifications and licenses you can pursue in addition to a doctoral degree. A certification or license can verify your skills in an area, boosting your resume and certifying your skills.

Certified Emergency Manager

The Certified Emergency Manager designation is offered by the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM). The designation is nationally recognized and a major career-enhancing credential, according to the IAEM. IAEM also offers an Associate Emergency Manager designation.

Certified Homeland and Protection Professional

Offered by the Global Society of Homeland Security Professionals, the Certified Homeland and Protection Professional designation provides an objective means of distinguishing highly competent homeland protection professionals from their less experienced peers.

Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Justice Doctoral Programs

The time it takes to earn a doctoral degree in criminal justice depends on the program type and school you attend. At some schools, transferable coursework and a high course load can help you finish a professional doctorate in three years or less. A Ph.D. program, however, will typically take at least four years to complete.

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