The Doctoral program in Criminal Justice permits students to emphasize the problems of crime, crime control, and justice administration, while simultaneously developing a strong foundation in social science theory and research methods. It prepares students for careers in college and university teaching and research, as well as advanced public policy positions.
Each student develops in-depth knowledge in one area consisting of either a basic social science discipline (anthropology, economics, geography, political science, psychology, or sociology) or an interest area relevant to the student’s area of study. In addition, a sequence of advanced courses in research methodology and statistics prepares students for the design, implementation, and interpretation of research. The program is individualized to allow students, working with a guidance committee, to shape a program of study that is broad in scope yet consistent with specific student interests.
Doctoral level course work in the school focuses and synthesizes the interdisciplinary components and individual experiences. The program is designed to produce graduates who can apply a variety of research methodologies to the study of crime causation, social reaction, and the legal system. Throughout the program there is an emphasis on the relationship between theory and practice, as well as the interconnected activities of the many agencies and professions involved in the systems of justice and private security. Through their research, teaching, and practice, graduates can contribute to the development of improved systems for the prevention and control of crime and delinquency.
For further information regarding the doctoral program, please contact graduate secretary Melissa Christle at burrier@msu.edu or 517-353-7133.
Applications for the Criminal Justice doctoral program at MSU are screened for fall semester entry only. All application materials must be received by December 15 for consideration for the following fall semester. Applicants are typically notified of admission decisions within 6-8 weeks of the deadline. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed.
Application materials that may be uploaded include:
Additional required materials include:
Please note: Applicants must have achieved a GPA of at least 3.0 in prior undergraduate and/or graduate work. While formal admission to the program does not require completion of a masters degree, the screening committee looks for a strong methodological and statistical background.
Questions? Please contact graduate secretary Melissa Christle at burrier@msu.edu or 517-353-7133.
The student’s program will be individually designed upon matriculation at Michigan State University under the supervision of a guidance committee. All students must complete relevant criminal justice course work, either in the doctoral program or through completion of a Masters in criminal justice or criminology at an accredited institution.
Program requirements vary for students with Masters degrees in areas other than criminal justice. With the approval of the student’s guidance committee, relevant post-baccalaureate course work may be incorporated into the cognate requirements.
The program of each student shall consist of a minimum of 36 semester credits of course work and 24 credits of dissertation research, totaling a minimum of 60 semester credits. The program must be developed in consultation with a guidance committee and approved by the College of Social Science.
Students admitted directly from an undergraduate program will take CJ 811 Design and Analysis of CJ Research and CJ 887 Quantitative Methods as prerequisites to CJ 906, CJ 907, and CJ 909. CJ 811 and CJ 887 may not be used toward doctoral program requirements.
Students must complete twelve credits of additional criminal justice courses at the 800 level or above. Three of the core Masters courses in criminal justice taught at MSU may not be used toward doctoral program requirements (CJ 811, CJ 812, CJ 887).
Advanced Research Methods
Students must complete two 3-credit doctoral research methods courses in the College of Social Science as approved by the student’s guidance committee. CJ 907 and CJ 909 may be repeated for credit and count toward this requirement when topics have changed.
Students must participate in 16 hours of RCR activities their first year, and three hours for each subsequent year. Information about applicable workshops, classes, activities, and reporting can be found at the RCR Requirements link under the Documents tab below.
Students entering the program in Fall 2019 and thereafter will complete two qualifying papers rather than taking comprehensive exams. Qualifying papers allow for the assessment of adequate student learning in their chosen specialty area—criminological theory, criminal justice, or law and society—as well as in the areas of research methods in criminology and criminal justice and their chosen cognate. Students will be expected to address unique research questions in their areas of study using the appropriate methods of analysis, and should be able to contribute to the body of knowledge in ways consistent with high quality peer-reviewed publications.
Student must submit and defend a dissertation reflecting original research focusing on a significant problem or issue in criminal justice. The guidance committee is responsible for providing direction for the student’s research. All program requirements, including oral defense and submission of the dissertation, must be completed within eight years from the time of the first enrollment as a doctoral student.
With approval of their guidance committee, students may waive a maximum of 6 credit hours toward CJ elective or advanced methods requirements.
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Ksenia Petlakh - SUNY-Delhi
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Roy Fenoff - The Citadel
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Juli Liebler - SCJ Outreach, Michigan State University
Michael Rossler - Illinois State University
Brandon Sullivan - Michigan State University/ Center for Anti-Counterfeiting and Product Protection
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Ryan Martz - Saginaw Valley State University
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Tia Stevens - University of South Carolina
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The School of Criminal Justice is also soliciting applications for the following traineeships. These traineeships are semi-structured PhD programs in which students focus on specific issues within criminal justice and criminology. Interested students should contact the traineeship point-of-contact to discuss their interest and the application process.