The criminal justice doctoral program is designed to provide students with a command of criminological theory, research methods, and criminal justice policy, as well as in-depth knowledge in areas of specialization within criminology and/or criminal justice. The doctoral degree is awarded based on evidence that the candidate has achieved a high level of proficiency in independent scholarship and research. This is assessed through course grades, the comprehensive exam, the production of a publishable quality empirical paper, and successful defense of the dissertation. The doctoral program in criminal justice requires students to complete a minimum of 60 credits towards the degree, including 42 hours of coursework and 18 hours of dissertation research. All requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy should be completed within five (5) years, and must be completed within seven (7) years of the first matriculation in the criminal justice Ph.D. program.