Give
Search
Graduate

Criminal Justice Policy Studies, Ph.D.

An innovative Ph.D. program in the field of criminal justice with an emphasis on applied criminal justice policy research.

Apply Now
  1. Home
  2. Academic Programs
  3. Ph.D. Criminal Justice Policy Studies
Ph.D. Criminal Justice Policy Studies students discuss class topics with their professor.

About the Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice Policy Studies

The Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Policy Studies degree program is designed to educate students to become competent and productive scholars in creating, studying, and evaluating criminal justice policies.

The degree program prepares students for competitive jobs in the industry including careers as college/university professors, researchers for public and private organizations, and policy analysts.

Department of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies Student Handbook

On this Page…

    Program Information

    Degree

    Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Policy Studies

    Emphases

    Criminal Justice Policy Studies

    Required Credit Hours

    45

    Program Type

    Doctorate Program

    Program Location

    Oxford

    School

    School of Applied Sciences

    Duration

    4 years

    Program Requirements for the Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Policy Studies

    Choosing the right graduate program can be difficult enough, so getting the application right shouldn't add to your stress. We've gathered all the info you need to apply to the Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Policy Studies to make things as easy as possible.

    All Ph.D. students must complete a minimum of 45 credits beyond a master’s degree. Students entering without a master’s degree must also complete the requirements of the master’s degree in addition to the requirements listed below as part of the doctoral degree.

    The 45 credits of the doctoral degree include:

    • 12 credit hours of required courses
    • A minimum of 3 hours in each of the three substantive core areas:
      1. Criminal justice system & issues
      2. Methods, data, & analysis
      3. Policy studies
    • 6 hours of approved elective courses
    • 18 hours of dissertation credits

    Students must also complete:

    1. A first-year written exam taken at the end of the first year of doctoral coursework.
    2. A publishable paper representing a single-authored, independent research project that resembles a manuscript suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal.
    3. A written and oral defense of a dissertation prospectus.
    4. A written and oral defense of a dissertation.

    Application Deadline: January 15th

    Applicants for the Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Policy Studies must be able to provide the following for consideration:

    • Academic Transcripts. Evidence of an awarded Baccalaureate Degree from an accredited college or university. Transcripts must also show a gradepoint of least a 3.0 or equivalent grade point average on the last 60 hours of undergraduate coursework or at least a 3.0 or equivalent grade point average on master’s coursework.
    • Three (3) letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation preferably come from professors familiar with your academic qualifications and/or skills who are able to comment on your potential to be successful in a doctoral program.
    • Statement of Interest. A statement of interest of no more than 1,000 words that describes your interest in pursuing the Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Policy Studies, your research interests and experiencee and how those align with the department, and how your past education and other experiences have prepared you to be successful in the program.
    • Writing Sample. Submit a sample of your recent written work that best showcases your skills as a writer and critical thinker. Writing samples should be in English and be no less than 10 double-spaced pages and no more than 35 pages double-spaced pages in length. There are no specific formatting requirements. This could be a term paper from a previous course, a thesis, a lead author academic publication (i.e., peer-reviewed journal article, encyclopedia/book chapter), professional report, policy brief, or any other document that demonstrates your writing and analytic skills.
    • Curriculum vitae or resume.

    Additional Application Information

    • Submission of Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score is optional. There are no minimum GRE scores required. Applicants interested in having their GRE scores considered for admission must have their GRE scores submitted directly to The University of Mississippi. The GRE score must have been taken within five (5) years of application for admission to the Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Policy Studies program.
    • The Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Policy Studies program does not accept Law School Admission Test (LSAT) or Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) scores as substitutes for a GRE score.
    • International students must demonstrate compliance with the University of Mississippi’s English Language Proficiency Score Requirements and Exemptions policy.
    • Official transcripts must be submitted from every university or institution from which a degree was awarded.

    What courses will you take to earn a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Policy Studies

    Check out some of the key classes you’ll encounter as a Criminal Justice  Policy Studies doctoral student. Curious about what else is offered? Browse the full catalog of courses.

    See the Course Catalog

    GR

    CRJU 7020: Advanced Criminal Justice Statistics

    3 credits

    This course provides an introduction to quantitative approaches to data analysis from descriptive and inferential perspectives. Students will be exposed to key foundational elements of quantitative analyses necessary to develop proficiencies to become consumers of and contributors of research. Students will learn to select appropriate statistical procedures, calculate statistics, and interpret statistical tests and graphics. Advanced statistical applications are also covered.

    GR

    CRJU 7030: Advanced Criminological Theory & Policy

    3 credits

    Social context has given rise to various theoretical developments in the explanation of criminal behavior. Throughout this course, you will examine the evolution and empirical status of traditional to contemporary theories of criminal behavior, with a focus on the historical context of each theory. In addition, you understand the impact of theory on prevailing crime control policies in different historical eras.

    GR

    CRJU 7040: Advanced Criminal Justice Policy Studies

    3 credits

    This course explores the process of policy making in the justice system, including the process of policy making, implementation and development. This class will examine the goals and values underlying justice policy, the socio-political context of crime problems and the impacts and implications of criminal justice policies. The course will also provide an overview of best practices for formulating and evaluating criminal justice policy.

    What's it like to be doctoral student in Criminal Justice?

    While earning a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice you'll have the opportunity to explore key issues, conduct impactful research, and contribute to positive changes in the field.
    Meet More Students
    Portrait of Peyton Stephenson

    What are your research interests?

    My research interests include criminological theory, procedural justice, juvenile delinquency, and juvenile justice

    • Graduate Assistant
    Get to Know Peyton
    Headshot style portrait of Kenneth Lomenzo

    What opportunities have stood out during your doctoral studies?

    I've had the opportunity to work on the Project Safe Neighborhoods grant funded under the Bureau of Justice, and am current Managing Editor of the Journal of Experimental Criminology.

    • Ph.D. Student
    Get to Know Kenneth
    Portrait of Morgan Myers.

    What are your long-term career aspirations?

    My long-term goal is to influence public policy through rigorous research and promote evidence-based practices within the criminal justice system.

    • Graduate Assistant
    Get to Know Mason

    What does Criminal Justice look like in the job market?

    $87K

    Average salary for a University Assistant Professor in 2025.

    $71K

    Average salary for a Crime Analyst in 2026.

    $86K

    Average salary for a Policy Analyst in 2026.

    $136K

    Average salary for a Senior Researcher in 2026.

    We're here for you!

    If you have any questions about the Ph.D. in Criminal Justice Policy Studies, don't hesitate to get in touch!

    Kimberly Kaiser

    Associate Professor of Criminal Justice and Legal Studies, Graduate Program Director

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Find answers to frequently asked questions below. 

    No. The GRE isn't required for the PhD--it is optional. 

    If you'd like to take the GRE and submit it as part of your application, feel free. But it is in no way required. 

    We only consider applications for the PhD in Criminal Justice for the fall semester. 

    We don't offer spring or summer admission. 

    PhD applications are due by January 15th of each year.

    Applications to the PhD program are reviewed after the January 15th deadline. 

    We expect most decisions to be made in February and March. As soon as we've finalized our incoming class, we'll notify applicants through email. 

    A writing sample is any example of written work that best exemplifies your writing and critical thinking skills. 

    The writing sample should be at least 10 pages and shouldn't be longer than 35. 

    You can choose writing samples from term papers from past courses, a thesis, a lead author academic publication (e.g., peer-reviewed journal article or an book/encyclopedia chapter), professional report, policy brief, or any other document that demonstrates your writing and critical thinking skills. 

    Yes. Our PhD program is interdisciplinary and we encourage students from a wide range of backgrounds to apply. 

    Most of our students have undergraduate degrees in related disciplines, such as sociology, psychology, or political science. 

    Pro tip: If you're applying with a non-criminal justice degree, you can discuss how your prior education relates to the skills and knowledge needed for the PhD program in your statement of interest. 

    It isn't common, but it does happen. Highly competitive students are occasionally accepted directly into the PhD program from undergrad. 

    However, the more common pathway into our PhD program is for students to apply to our Master of Science in Criminal Justice or have obtained a master's elsewhere first. 

    This is typically a better option for most students as it allows them to gain more experience with research and advanced study before committing to a lengthy and rigorous PhD program. 

    Our master's program is designed as a stepping stone/bridge to the PhD program. If your an undergraduate students with their eyes set on a PhD, check out our MS in Criminal Justice. 

    We typically admit around 5-7 students into the PhD program each year. Our acceptance rate varies depending on the number of applicants received each year. 

    We currently accept around 25-35% of our applicants.

    The university accepts several forms of English Language Proficiency Tests.

    Information on English Language requirements for the university can be found on the International Students and Scholars Office website. 

    The following are the minimum scores accepted by the Graduate School:

    • TOEFL IBT - 79 minimum score
    • IELTS - 6.0 minimum band score
    • PTE-A - 53 minimum score

    Letters of recommendation preferably should come from professors familiar with your academic qualification and/or skills who are able to comment on your potential to be successful in a PhD program.

    You are encouraged to identify specific areas of research interest. 

    If you have specific faculty you'd like to work with, please make a note in your statement of interest. Keep in mind, that this isn't a requirement. 

    You can also reach out to faculty you're interested in working with to make sure you share areas of interest. 

    No, we currently don't offer an online PhD program. 

    The PhD in Criminal Justice is entirely in-person program with traditional face-to-face classes. 

    There are many challenges to offering a high-quality PhD experience in an online format. The PhD in Criminal Justice functions more as an apprenticeship program that requires a lot of hands-on research, close mentorship, and high levels of engagement with faculty. 

    These things can be challenging to reproduce successfully in an online format. 

    Students enrolled in the PhD program are expected to attend in-person classes, professional development workshops, and other events that require students to be present in the office throughout the week. 

    Students are encouraged to reside in Oxford and the surrounding area so that they can easily fulfill their duties in and out of the classroom. 

    We allow PhD students to transfer up to 6 credits into the PhD program from recognized institutions upon approval from the Graduate Program Director. 

    Only courses for which the student received the grade of B or higher may be transferred. Transfer credits from another institution will not be accepted for workshops, internships, and other courses of a similar nature, and for courses in which regular letter grades aren't awarded. 

    Grades from other institutions may not substitute for unsatisfactory grades earned at the university; nor may the grade of a or B earned at another institution be used to offset a lower grade earned at the university. Transfer work from another institution that constitutes an overload while enrolled as a full-time student at the University of Mississippi will not be accepted. 

    All transfer credit is subject to the following conditions:

    The residence or degree credit requirement is not reduced. 

    The other graduate school must offer a graduate degree in the field in which the work has been completed. 

    The credit must be recommended by the student's department in the university as specifically applicable to the student's degree program. 

    Applicants must pay a non-refundable $50 application processing fee for each program to which they apply. 

    • You are responsible for paying this fee whether or not you are offered admission or choose to enroll. 
    • The application fee is paid online. 

    Your application fee will not be processed until you pay the application fee and the payment is authorized.

    The University of Mississippi Graduate School waives application fee for eligible students (not available to international applicants). 

    • To inquire about application fee waivers, please reach out to the Graduate School. 

    Yes, we offer funding for PhD students on a competitive basis. 

    • The primary source of funding for our PhD students are Graduate Assistantships.
    • Graduate Assistantships for PhD students are half-time positions (20 hours per week) that offer a competitive stipend and a 100% tuition scholarship. 

    The majority of our admitted students are offered Graduate Assistantships funding, depending on availability of department resources and the competitiveness of the applicant pool. 

    • Students admitted without funding will be reconsidered for funding opportunities annually. 

    Some students may also receive various competitive recruitment scholarships as outlined on the Graduate School website. 

    Yes. Students in the PhD program will be given several opportunities to teach in online and traditional face-to-face formats during the fall and/or spring semesters. 

    Typically, students will also be provided opportunities to teach online classes in the summer. 

    Stay up to date with Criminal Justice at UM!

    Follow us on Instagram to stay in the know. 

     

    View this profile on Instagram

    Ole Miss Criminal Justice & Legal Studies (@olemisscjls) • Instagram photos and videos

    Next Steps

    Explore Affordability

    We have a variety of scholarships and financial aid options to help make college more affordable for you and your family.

    Financial Aid Tuition & Fees

    Apply to the University of Mississippi

    Are you ready to take the next step toward building your legacy?

    Start Your Application Here