Unlock Your Potential: Apply to Our Nation's Top Criminal Justice PhD Program!
Advance your career with UNO’s doctoral program in criminology and criminal justice, nationally recognized for excellence in research and training. Collaborate with award-winning faculty, engage in hands-on criminal justice research, and gain experience in law enforcement, policy analysis, and academic leadership. Apply now to join a top graduate criminal justice program and make a meaningful impact in the field.
Program Details
The Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Nebraska at Omaha prepares students for leadership in research, policy, and academia. Named a Best Graduate School by U.S. News & World Report, the program combines rigorous coursework, hands-on research, and mentoring from nationally recognized, award-winning faculty to produce graduates who advance knowledge and practice in criminology and criminal justice.
Program Highlights
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Renowned faculty: Nationally recognized scholars actively mentor doctoral students
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Collaborative research: Access to research labs and centers for synergistic research projects
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Teaching experience: Opportunities to mentor and teach undergraduate students
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Agency partnerships: Significant interaction with criminal justice agencies through applied research
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Supportive culture: Engaged Graduate Student Organization and collaborative peer network
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Professional development: Encouragement to present at national conferences and publish in peer-reviewed journals
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Career outcomes: Doctoral graduates secure academic and industry research positions across the U.S. and internationally
Curriculum Overview
The Ph.D. curriculum builds advanced expertise in criminology and criminal justice through a combination of coursework, examinations, and original research.
Degree Requirements:
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Coursework: Complete 42 credit hours of required and elective courses beyond a master’s degree
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Comprehensive Exams: Demonstrate mastery through two exams covering criminological theory and criminal justice systems, guided by the Criminology Reading List and the Criminal Justice Reading List
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Dissertation: Conduct original research and orally defend a dissertation that advances knowledge in criminology and criminal justice. Required forms, including the Approval of Dissertation Prospectus Form, are accessible through the Office of Graduate Studies.
The program emphasizes rigorous scholarship while providing mentorship, research collaboration, and professional development to ensure students are prepared for high-impact careers in academia, government, and industry research. View prior dissertations.
Ebonie Epinger, Ph.D., UNO SCCJ graduate August 2022.
Funding Opportunities
Graduate assistantships are nationally competitive stipends that include tuition (not student fees). Most full-time doctoral students are funded on a 12-month basis and have the opportunity to teach prior to graduation.
Apply to the Program
Apply online through the Office of Graduate Studies. Deadline is January 20th for fall admission and graduate assistantship consideration.
More Information
For detailed information on the Doctoral Program in Criminology and Criminal Justice, refer to the Doctor of Philosophy Student Handbook for the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice
Direct questions to Sam Clinkinbeard, Ph.D., Doctoral Program Coordinator.