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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Public Safety

School of Public Service Leadership

Criminal Justice specialization

Make a difference in your career and your community through this Criminal Justice PhD specialization designed to prepare you to initiate positive change in the criminal justice system. The intensive program includes online course work, residencies, and research that address the complex issues surrounding criminal behavior, prevention and intervention, the penal system, and the development of public policy strategies at the community, state, and national levels. People who choose this doctoral specialization are often pursuing high-level positions in higher education, a research or consulting agency, a public policy group, or other criminal justice-related organizations.

Residency Requirements: Three three-day colloquia (PSL-R8921, PSL-R8922, PSL-R8923).

Learn about the residential colloquia experience.
As a PhD learner, you will attend three three-day residential colloquia at specific stages in your program, in addition to your online courses. These energizing residencies provide you with insights and knowledge that will be valuable during your PhD studies and beyond. Learn more about residential colloquia:

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Total Program: 120 quarter credits
Up to 48 quarter credits may be transferred into this specialization
Admission Requirements Icon indicating PDF
Next Start Date: October 11, 2010
Quarter - Coursework: $4,485
Up to 3 courses per quarter
Quarter - Comps/Diss: $3,945

Many of our learners receive aid.

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Gain more value from your degree

Expand your educational and career opportunities by choosing one of Capella's degree enrichment options.

  • Add a concentration to gain deeper expertise

    Delve more deeply into a specific knowledge area by earning a concentration that will be included on your transcript and can enhance your career opportunities. If you have elective courses in your degree program, you may be able to use them to fulfill both your degree and concentration requirements at the same time. However, completing a concentration may extend your total credits beyond the requirements of your degree.

    Concentrations available as part of this specialization include:
    • Fire Service Administration
    • Forensics
    • Health Policy and Management
    • Homeland Security
    • Public Administration
    • Public Health
    • Public Policy and Management

Core Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • PSF8002 - Advanced Research in Public Safety Issues, Theories, and Concepts
  • PSF8601 - Contemporary Public Safety Leadership
  • PSF8602 - Theories of Leadership
  • PSF8634 - Public Safety Incident Command Paradigms
  • PSF8606 - Diversity Issues in Public Safety
  • HS8106 - Epistemology of Practice Knowledge
  • HS8100 - Fundamentals of Social Science Research*
  • HS8111 - Quantitative Research Methods in the Human Services*
  • HS8112 - Advanced Qualitative Research Methods*
  • HS8113 - Advanced Study in Research Methods*

Specialization Courses (each course 4 quarter credits unless noted)

  • PSF8350 - Sociological Theories of Crime
  • PSF8354 - Psychological and Biological Theories of Criminal Behavior
  • PSF8358 - Law and Legal Foundations
  • PSF8362 - Criminal Justice Policy Analysis
  • PSF8374 - Current Research on Violent Behavior
  • PSF8376 - Correlates of Crime
  • PSF8377 - The Penal System: Its Role in the U.S. Society
  • HS9919 - Doctoral Comprehensive Examination*
  • HS9920 - Dissertation Courseroom* - non-credit
  • HS9921 - Dissertation Research 1* - 5 quarter credits
  • HS9922 - Dissertation Research 2* - 5 quarter credits
  • HS9923 - Dissertation Research 3* - 5 quarter credits
  • HS9924 - Dissertation Research 4* - 5 quarter credits

Seven Elective Courses

  • Choose any graduate courses.
* This course has a prerequisite. Contact an enrollment counselor for more information.
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Learn more about our related specializations:

PhD

MPH
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