Online Doctorates in Criminology, Criminal Justice, and related fields.

Online doctoral programs in criminal justice and related fields have grown significantly since I was searching for such programs in 2017 and 2018. Here is a list of programs available today. I may have missed a few.

Criminology and Criminal Justice (Ph.D.)

• Liberty University - Online Criminal Justice PhD Program | Liberty University
• Florida International University - Ph.D. in International Crime and Justice | FIU Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice (offered both onsite and fully online) - I would have loved to pursue this program.
  
• Nova Southeastern University - Ph.D. in Criminal Justice | College of Education and School of Criminal Justice | Nova Southeastern University (one of the OGs).
• Keiser University - PhD in Criminal Justice - Keiser University
• University of North Georgia - Criminal Justice Ph.D. (I would have loved to pursue this program).
• Walden University - PhD in Criminal Justice | Walden University (one of the OGs).
• Troy University - PhD in Criminology | Troy University (I would have loved to pursue this program).

This one is not a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice, but a Ph.D. with a specialization in CJ. - Saint Thomas University - Doctor of Philosophy in Ethical Leadership - St. Thomas University

Doctor of Criminal Justice (D.CJ.)

• Liberty University - Online Criminal Justice Doctoral Programs Online | Liberty University
• Arizona State University - Criminal Justice, DCJ | School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Penn West University - Criminal Justice, DCJ | PennWest Global Online
• Keiser University - Doctorate in Criminal Justice, DCJ - Keiser University
• National University - Doctor of Criminal Justice | National University
• Tiffin University - Doctor of Criminal Justice | Online with Limited Residency | Tiffin University
• Saint Leo University - Doctorate Degree in Criminal Justice | Saint Leo University|
• Teeside University - Criminal Justice, Doctorate, Online learning course | Teesside University (UK degree)

Emergency Management

• Oklahoma State University - Fire and Emergency Management Administration, Ph.D. - Online | Oklahoma State University
• Columbia Southern University - Doctor of Emergency Management | Columbia Southern University
• Columbia Southern University - Doctor of Fire Integrated Research | Columbia Southern University
• Columbia Southern University - Doctor of Occupational Safety and Health | Columbia Southern University
• Capitol Technology University - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Emergency and Protective Services | Washington D.C. & Maryland Area | Capitol Technology University
• Jacksonville State University - Emergency Management (Doctor of Science) - Degree/Program Listing

Homeland Security/Intelligence/Security Studies/Public Safety

• Kansas State University - Doctorate in Security Online | Kansas State University
• Colorado Technical University - Online Doctorate in Management - Homeland Security | CTU Online
• National University - Online PhD in Homeland Security | National University
• American Military University - Doctoral Degree Program in Global Security | American Public University
• American Military University - Doctorate Degree Program in Strategic Intelligence | American Public University
• Middle Georgia State University - Doctor of Science in Public Safety (DSPS): Middle Georgia State University
• National American University - Online Strategic Security Doctorate Degree
• Capitol Technology University - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Intelligence and Global Security | Washington D.C. & Maryland Area | Capitol Technology University
• Capitol Technology University - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Counterterrorism | Washington D.C. & Maryland Area | Capitol Technology University
• Missouri State University - Doctor of Defense and Strategic Studies - Defense and Strategic Studies - Reynolds College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities - Missouri State (available fully online, in-person in D.C., or hybrid)
  
• New Jersey City University - Doctoral Program | New Jersey City University
• St. John's University - DPS in Homeland Security | Advanced Security Degree | St. John’s University
• Charles Sturt University - Doctor of Public Safety - Study (Australian degree)
• Liberty University - both the Ph.D. and D.CJ. offer a specialization in Homeland Security.
• Saint Leo University - D.CJ. has a homeland security specialization

Law and Policy

• Liberty University - Doctor of Law and Policy - Liberty University
• Northeastern University - Doctor of Law and Policy — Seattle | Northeastern University College of Professional Studies (hybric program).

**The Prime Minister of Jamaica recently graduated with a DLP from Northeastern. His thesis was titled “From the States to the Streets: The Impact of US Gun Laws on Gun Violence in Jamaica." Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness Graduates with PhD

Psychology with Criminology, Criminal Justice, or Law

• University of Arizona Global Campus - Doctorate in Psychology: Online PsyD Programs | UAGC
• Alliant International University - PhD in Psychology, Public Policy, & Law | Alliant Intl University

 

There were limited doctoral programs when I was looking for an online doctoral program in criminal justice. I applied to about 10 or 11 doctoral programs during my exploration. All but one were professional doctorates (DBA, Ed.D., DPA, D.CJ.). The only Ph.D. I applied to was the one I ended up completing at Liberty University. The only program that denied me admission was the D.CJ. program at Penn West University (formerly Cal U of PA). I interacted with other people who were denied admission at Penn West. It was a competitive program, but I am not sure if that is still the case today.

I am happy that I was not accepted, and I am happy I did not start the D.CJ. program at St. Leo like I had planned, or any of the other programs that I was admitted to. Based on my experience, the Ph.D. was the best option. However, if some of the programs (Troy, FIU, and UNG) on the list were around when I was searching, I probably would not have chosen Liberty University. This is not to suggest that I am unhappy with my decision. I have been fortunate to serve as a tenure-track assistant professor for three years (the last two at an R2 university, which I left voluntarily). I am also fortunate to serve as an assistant professor/program head in my homeland (Jamaica). In addition, my Liberty degree has allowed me to serve in online adjunct roles at both state and private institutions, including an R1 university.

Most recently, I signed a contract for a non-tenure track, fully remote Assistant Teaching Professor at an R1 university starting this fall. My Liberty Ph.D. has served me well. I have published 12 articles, 7 of which are peer-reviewed. I have had my work cited 17 times (4 in 2023, 12 in 2024, and 1 time so far in 2025). This may not seem like a lot, but I did not even imagine that I would publish after earning my degree. I was also invited to speak recently as one of two subject matter experts on juvenile justice education.

 

Texas A&M International University - Ph.D in Criminal Justice
Teesside University (UK) - Doctorate in Criminal Justice

 

Dang! How could I have forgotten TAMIU? I have been teaching there every fall and spring semester since spring 2023. The first semester of the TAMIU program is on-campus in Laredo, TX; then the rest is online.

Teesside is already on my list under DCJ programs.

 

This is a good question because I know some of the degrees are considered terminal degrees, professional degrees, and research degrees. How do they compare to each other, for example?
PhD vs DSc
EdD vs DCJ
PhD vs DLP
How will getting a doctorate outside of a PhD affect employment capabilities? There are so many options in the criminal justice field nowadays that understanding which degree might work for you might be confusing. I guess additional research into each program would be the first step to finding out which program best fits your career and future choices.

 

PhD and DSc are equivalent research degrees.

DLP, DCJ, and Ed.D. are professional doctoral degrees regardless of the culminating component (dissertation or capstone/applied project).

 

Salve Regina University - Ph.D. in International Relations

School for International Training Graduate Institute (SIT Graduate Institute) - Ph.D. in International Relations

Liberty University - Ph.D. in Public Policy or Doctor of Public Policy (D.P.P.); each offer specializations including Foreign Policy, National Security Policy, or Chinese Affairs; Social Policy also touches criminal justice etc.

University of Arizona Global Campus states "UAGC doctoral programs are not currently accepting new applications while we review our programs for integration with the University of Arizona. Following the review, we will announce any future start dates on this page."

 

So the question is, is a research degree valued higher than a professional degree?

 

academic field. I am sure a DHA degree will not be valued as high as, let's say, a PhD or DSc, for example?

 

This is a bit off-topic, but to answer your question question with another question: which academic field? Health Administration is its own discipline and the PhD and DHA have different uses there. Audience and outcome always matter when deciding who values what. Rich Douglas has commented many times about the distinction between professional and scholarly doctorates. If you're a university looking to hire a researcher, the PhD is probably more useful. If you're hiring a lecturer or teaching in nursing or paramedicine, an experienced clinician with a DHA probably has more up-to-date skills. If you're looking to stay in your current career (rather than go to the university), the DHA also probably comes out on top.

 

It depends on the school. Teaching-focused institutions would definitely hire someone with a DHA. I see a lot of faculty with DNPs even at research universities, often as Clinical or Teaching Faculty (e.g., Teaching Assistant Professor or Clinical Assistant Professor). Tenure-track faculty at research universities (R1 and R2) will often be Ph.D. holders. This is not to say those with Ed.D. amd DBAs don't end up in TT position at R1 schools, because I've seen it. Once you establish a track record of quality peer-reviewed publications, the degree title will sometimes become less significant.

 

Not really off topic because there are different criminal justice degrees and options now available, it’s important to know how each degree can impact your future career.

 

As Steve implied, it depends on who the audience is.

The term "research degree," however, is a misnomer. Professional degrees are also research degrees. The distinction you seek is scholarly vs professional degrees.

Generally speaking, scholarly degrees prepare people for...wait for it...scholarship. But not always. And professional degrees are primarily for practitioners, but not always. A professional degree will certainly satisfy a hiring committee at a university if they truly want you. And many people earn scholarly doctorates without ever going to work for a university.

If I had my heart set on academia, I'd do a scholarly degree. As Chris implies, this is usually the PhD, but other titles (like the Doctor of Science) are also scholarly degrees. I have a Doctor of Social Science, and it DEFINITELY was a scholarly degree (which the university explicitly states). It is not a professional doctorate, no matter what the idiots at WES think.

If you're heading to practice, either would work, but a professional doctorate will likely give you more leeway to do applied research that might be more relevant to advancing your career.

 

One more adjustment.

In my last post, I fixed the "research degree" issue. But you also bring up "terminal" degree. This term is irrelevant to the question you're posing.

A terminal degree is the highest degree expected to be earned in a particular field. That is usually the doctorate, but not always. And while we're seeing a dramatic shift towards the doctorae in professional fields, it is not complete.

In times past, the MBA was considered a terminal degree. The rise of the DBA has begun to erase that. The Master of Fine Arts is still considered a terminal degree, as is the Master of Social Work. (Yes, you can find doctorates in those fields. Not my point.)

As I said in my first post, the distinction you want to wrestle with is scholarly vs professional.

 

What's a DLP?

 

Okay, Doctor of Law and Policy. Interesting.

 

We have at least two threads on Northeastern's DLP (one 2009, two 2012) and it seems like some heavy-hitters earn it. And I see Liberty now offers it as well.

 

But youch. Muy cara.

 

• Augusta University's Ph.D. in Intelligence, Defense, & Cybersecurity Policy