Ph.D. in Criminology and Criminal Justice
The UNO SCCJ Ph.D. is a top ranked program that educates future researchers who advance impactful criminological knowledge and societal responses to crime.
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Degree Requirements
Coursework: Doctoral students complete 42 hours of required and elective coursework beyond a Master’s degree.
Comprehensive Exams: Doctoral students demonstrate knowledge proficiency in successful completion of two comprehensive exams - criminological theory and criminal justice systems. Criminology Reading List and Criminal Justice Reading List.
Dissertation: Doctoral students orally defend a dissertation that is original written scholarship advancing knowledge in criminology and criminal justice. Prior dissertations may be reviewed here. Approval of Dissertation Prospectus Form must be completed by all SCCJ doctoral students. Other required forms accessible through the Office of Graduate Studies.
Ebonie Epinger, Ph.D., UNO SCCJ graduate August 2022.
Funding Opportunities
Graduate assistantships are nationally competitive stipends that include tuition (not student fees) with summer funding also available. While these are competitive, most full-time doctoral students are funded on a 12-month basis.
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 additional questions to Todd Armstrong, Ph.D., Doctoral Program Coordinator.