Troy University’s newest doctoral program, the Ph.D. in Criminology, aims to teach candidates about the root causes of crime, how to critically evaluate theoretical perspectives and how to apply practical approaches to crime.
Offered online, the Ph.D. in Criminology is a 60-hour curriculum designed for students who wish to work in government agencies, nonprofits, community agencies or higher education.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will ultimately be able to apply critical knowledge about criminology and crime prevention perspectives to real-world events in a variety of different roles.
“There are many opportunities and career paths with an undergraduate degree in criminology, but what we’re looking for as leaders in law enforcement is the assistance of someone who has the skillset to take crime data, analyze it and look for patterns and series,” said Colonel John Archer, Director of the Department of Public Safety for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. “That’s where this program benefits law enforcement. Not only at the state level, but the federal level will employ people with Ph.D.’s in criminology—we simply cannot have enough analysts working with data. This program will help law enforcement to succeed in their goal of keeping people safe.”
Of the 60 program hours, 24 credit hours are required courses, 24 credit hours are electives and the remaining 12 hours account for the dissertation. Candidates must also gain teaching experience prior to completing their degrees either by being appointed to a teaching assistantship or teaching as an adjunct instructor.
Required courses include advanced seminar in criminology, seminar in theory and practice of crime preventions, justice policy and crime, applied statistics I and II, research methods I and II and a teaching practicum.
Elective options include:
- special topics in statistics and data analysis
- globalization and crime
- crime and social deviance
- community context of crime
- mass incarceration and social inequality in America
- public policy, crime and criminal justice
- cybercrime, cybersecurity and society
- seminar in sentencing and punishment
- anthropology of law and crime
- juvenile justice and gangs
- qualitative methods practicum
- selected topics in criminology
- professionalization proseminar
- seminar in criminal justice
- advanced seminar in victimology
- directed study with criminology, law and sociology faculty
- independent study with criminology, law and sociology faculty
The doctoral dissertation is the final requirement of the program. At TROY, candidates may choose a five-chapter traditional dissertation or a three-paper dissertation.
“When universities hire someone, they’re always going to look to see if and what the candidate has published and if they have teaching experience,” said Dr. Halil Akbas, Ph.D. in Criminology and Master of Science in Criminal Justice Coordinator. “By offering the publishing option alongside the traditional dissertation, it’s going to provide an extra opportunity for our doctoral graduates to be hired. This is another way we’ve designed our program to stand out from others.”
To be considered for admission, candidates must: have a master’s degree in criminal justice, criminology or sociology from a regionally accredited institution, though applicants with other degrees may also be considered; a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.6 on all graduate coursework; submit official transcripts for all post-secondary academic study; submit three letters of recommendation; write a Statement of Intent of up to 1,000 words; submit a writing sample up to 1,000 words; and submit a resume or curriculum vitae. Applicant interviews may be requested if needed.
For more information or to apply, visit troy.edu or call 800-414-5756.
