Criminology, PhD

IUP graduate programs in Criminology are designed to prepare students for careers in academia and for upper-level administrative positions in various fields of justice.

Admission Criteria

It is expected that students entering the PhD program in Criminology will have completed a master’s degree in either Criminology or a closely related discipline. However, in exceptional cases, a highly qualified applicant may enter the doctoral track with a baccalaureate degree. Such students would obtain the MA degree in route to the PhD.

Applicants must meet all School of Graduate Studies and Research admission requirements. Additionally, the doctoral coordinator, after consulting with the department PhD committee, will submit a recommendation regarding applicants to the School of Graduate Studies and Research. The following criteria are reviewed:

All official college transcripts
Three letters of recommendation
Statement of goals
Example of written work (thesis, articles, reports, etc.)
GRE scores (A combined score of at least 290 on the verbal and quantitative sections is expected. Some flexibility may be granted at the discretion of the screening committee.)
Skill requirement (foreign language, computer or statistical ability, or other skills approved by the PhD committee or the department’s graduate curriculum committee
Personal interview (may be requested by department PhD committee or by applicant)

Program Requirements

The PhD program in Criminology requires a minimum of 54 semester hours of acceptable graduate credit. Each student must complete requirements for (a) course work; (b) area of specialization requirements; (c) qualifying examinations; (d) skill requirement; and (e) dissertation.

A. Required Course Work

I. Core Courses (21 cr.):

CRIM 810 - Advanced Theoretical Criminology Credits: 3
CRIM 817 - Advanced Qualitative Methods Credits: 3
CRIM 818 - Quantitative Strategies for Analysis in Criminology Credits: 3
CRIM 820 - Advanced Quantitative Methods Credits: 3
CRIM 830 - Ethical and Philosophical Issues in Criminology Credits: 3
CRIM 840 - Advanced Criminal Justice Policy Credits: 3
CRIM 851 - Doctoral Colloquium in Criminology Credits: 3

II. Advanced Applied Research (9 cr.):

CRIM 901 - Advanced Applied Research I Credits: 3
CRIM 902 - Advanced Applied Research II Credits: 3
CRIM 903 - Advanced Applied Research III Credits: 3

III. Criminology Electives: 6 Credits Minimum

IV. Other Electives: 6 Credits from Criminology or Related Disciplines

B. Qualifying Examination

Upon completion of 18 semester hours, a student must take qualifying examinations in three core subject areas. After successful completion, a student may proceed toward fulfillment of remaining degree requirements.

C. Comprehensive Area of Specialization Competence Review: Areas of Concentration

Each student must decide upon one subspecialty within Criminology. Upon consultation with the student, the student’s advisory committee, and the doctoral coordinator, a proficiency review will be conducted.

D. Skill Requirement (0-6 credits)

This requirement may be fulfilled by demonstrating knowledge in one of the following areas:

Foreign language
Computer
Advanced statistics
Advanced research methods
Other appropriate areas as approved by the doctoral coordinator

Further details regarding any of these skill requirements can be obtained from the doctoral coordinator.

E. Dissertation

In accordance with university guidelines, successful completion of a doctoral dissertation is required (12 credits).

Residency

The following options are available to doctoral students for satisfying residency requirements:

Completion of a minimum of nine graduate credits at IUP in each of at least two consecutive semesters
Completion of a minimum of nine graduate credits at IUP for at least one semester immediately preceding or following a summer of nine semester hours of study
Completion at IUP of at least nine graduate credits in each of two consecutive summers plus six graduate credits during the intervening academic year

Part-Time Study

This program may admit each year some students whose intention is to complete the program on a part-time basis. Course offerings can be expected to fluctuate, especially in the expansion of new course offerings. A complete and updated description of any changes can be obtained from the Department of Criminology and Criminal Justice.