Comprising law enforcement professionals, the court system and correctional facilities, the criminal justice system is vast and complex — impacting countless lives by managing crime, enforcing laws and administering justice. Criminal justice professionals must work with integrity, experience, understanding, compassion and a deep knowledge of human behavior, crime and the law.  

Earning an advanced degree opens up a wide array of possible doctorate in criminal justice careers that range from leadership positions in law enforcement, legal fields and corrections to analysis, consulting, research and criminal justice academia. At Keiser University, we offer two doctoral-level criminal justice programs: a Doctorate of Criminal Justice (DCJ) and a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD). Either program has transformative potential with respect to your future, impact and career opportunities. If you are interested in learning more about the student experience at Keiser University, we encourage you to watch this video documenting Garnett Kisner’s graduate studies and criminal justice journey. 

Read on as we detail how earning your doctorate in criminal justice could transform your future with countless new opportunities. Understanding the requirements to achieve your career aspirations will help determine whether you pursue a Doctorate in Criminal Justice (DCJ) or a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice (PhD). The DCJ incorporates practical hands-on skills with a foundation of academics for your success, and the PhD will equip you with the skills to research and evaluate justice systems. 

Industries and Career Paths With a Criminal Justice Doctorate

Careers for a doctorate in criminal justice can go in a variety of different directions, down many career paths and into several different industries and sectors. Thus, studying to earn your doctorate in criminal justice can provide you with several opportunities and options regarding the type of work you wish to do as well as your workplace and peers. 

Below, we outline some of the top industries with positions for criminal justice experts: 

Academia 

Criminal justice experts working in academia typically hold a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice. They focus on the study and understanding of criminal theory and its application. Examples of common criminal justice careers in academia include: 

  • Professor 
  • Researcher 
  • Department chair 
  • Program director 

In academics, criminal justice experts teach criminal justice and related courses (covering topics such as law enforcement, corrections, courts and criminology). They also mentor students, contribute to the field with new research and serve in leadership positions as program directors and department heads. In academics, doctors of criminal justice can also offer professional training. 

Corrections, Law Enforcement and Legal Field 

Helping develop a thorough understanding of criminal justice theory and its practical applications, a Doctor of Criminal Justice degree prepares students for professional roles that are more directly situated within the criminal justice system. Leadership and advanced positions in these industries include the following (and more). 

Top Positions in Correctional Facilities and the System: 

  • Warden 
  • Administrator 
  • Policy analyst 
  • Program developer

Leadership Roles in Law Enforcement: 

  • Chief 
  • Sheriff 
  • Commissioner 
  • Analyst 
  • Planner 
  • Trainer 

Advanced Positions in the Legal Field: 

  • Legal consultant 
  • Expert witness 
  • Paralegal with advanced analytical skills 

Research and Intelligence 

Criminal justice experts working in research and intelligence study and strive to understand criminal behavior with the goal of addressing it successfully, preventing future crime and reducing overall crime. Criminal justice positions in research and intelligence include: 

  • Research scientist 
  • Analyst 
  • Consultant 
  • Strategist 
  • Criminologist 
  • Criminal intelligence analyst 
  • Criminal profiler 
  • Crime analyst 

These roles entail conducting research, collecting and analyzing data — using analytical skills and helping to inform policy decisions based on findings. 

Government (Federal, State and Local) 

Criminal justice, law enforcement and corrections are closely intertwined, which means there are countless different career paths and opportunities available in criminal justice government jobs at the federal, state and local levels. Some government criminal justice careers include: 

  • Policy advisor 
  • Program manager 
  • Agency strategist 
  • Agency analyst (DOJ, FBI, CIA, DHS or state corrections) 
  • Intelligence analyst 
  • Federal agent 
  • Special agent 
  • Police or crime analyst 

Those with a graduate-level education in criminal justice are well-prepared to handle the responsibilities and roles of these kinds of positions, in which they:  

  • Act as a consultant and advisor on policy decisions.  
  • Create procedures for enforcing regulations and upholding the law.  
  • Create pathways for gathering evidence and investigating crimes.  
  • Support the pursuit of justice. 

Forensics 

Forensic science is the practice of using expertise to identify, analyze and classify evidence, which is often presented in court as part of an expert testimony. Criminal justice experts can specialize in forensics and pursue the following careers: 

  • Research scientist 
  • Lab director 
  • Consultant (in a related field such as criminology or psychology)

The PhD and DCJ are not forensics degrees and thusly, pursuing this type of degree may require additional coursework to meet career or position requirements. 

Policymaking 

With a criminal justice doctoral degree, you can leverage your expertise to help shape the legislation, laws and policies that govern the federal, state or local criminal justice system and corrections. Positions in policymaking include: 

  • Legislative aide 
  • Policy analyst 
  • Policy consultant (for think tanks, government agencies or nonprofit organizations) 
  • Advocate for criminal justice reform organizations 

In these roles, experts conduct research, analyze crime and corrections data, identify trends and make data-driven recommendations to address criminal justice challenges. 

Private Sector 

Many positions in the private sector mirror public sector positions, with the primary difference being the type of entity employing you. There exist several private sector career paths for criminal justice experts, such as: 

  • Security consultant 
  • Security manager 
  • Risk analyst 
  • Private intelligence analyst 
  • Compliance officer (namely in industries dealing with regulations and security) 
  • Private investigator 
  • Fraud investigator 

Victim Advocacy and Social Work 

These criminal justice career paths are designed to support individuals who have been impacted by crime (whether they are victims or offenders): 

  • Victim advocates — who work with victims to help them access resources and victim services, navigate the legal system and connect them with support from social workers. 
  • Social workers — who offer case management, counseling and advocacy for both victims and offenders. 

Skills and Knowledge Developed Through a Criminal Justice Doctorate

Criminal justice graduate coursework is designed to ensure that, through the process of earning their doctorate, students develop several invaluable professional skills and obtain a wealth of practical knowledge. 

Research and Analytics 

Students learn advanced research and analytics practices and principles through a series of courses on research design. During their studies, they access real-world data and cases and learn to apply scientific, statistical and analytical principles to evaluate their findings. 

Leadership and Management Skills 

Graduate-level coursework empowers students with leadership and management skills through individual exercises and group-based leadership scenarios. Additionally, students further develop these skills in practically designed courses, such as Advanced Criminal Justice Leadership. 

Policy Analysis and Development 

Students exercise and strengthen their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities as they examine, understand, analyze and develop policies in courses such as Criminal Justice Program Evaluation and Criminal Justice Policies and Practices. 

Communication and Interpersonal Skills 

Throughout their doctoral coursework, students further develop their interpersonal skills as well as written and verbal communication proficiency through seminars, discussions and behavioral studies. 

Knowledge of Criminal Justice Theory 

The primary focus of advanced criminal justice studies is criminal justice theory. While earning a graduate degree in criminal justice, students take a deep dive into these theories with courses in criminal justice, criminology and advanced criminological theory application. These theories and principles are infused throughout the criminal justice coursework — ensuring students graduate with a thorough grasp and deep understanding of criminal justice theory, how to study it and how to apply it to real-world scenarios. 

Benefits of Earning a Doctorate in Criminal Justice

Although earning a graduate degree in criminal justice calls for hard work and commitment, the investment can certainly pay off. 

Leadership Potential 

A DCJ or PhD in Criminal Justice gives you major leadership potential. Not only will your studies give you the knowledge, training and experience needed to excel in the career field of your choice, but the doctoral degree also gives you (and your resume) leadership credentials. 

Career Advancement and Opportunity 

A doctoral degree will open up opportunities for advanced leadership positions that you might not qualify for without a PhD or DCJ, regardless of your knowledge, training and experience level. 

Impactful Research 

With the knowledge and training you acquire earning a doctoral degree in criminal justice, you have the opportunity to make a real, positive difference in your community and beyond. You will possess the knowledge to conduct meaningful research designed to reduce crime, improve the justice system and better people’s lives. 

Navigating the Criminal Justice Job Market

With such a wide range of career possibilities, the criminal justice job market is vast. You can search the nation for open positions with government entities and government job websites, in addition to listings on countless industry association websites (such as the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, or ACJS). 

Job Outlook for Doctorate in Criminal Justice Careers 

While violent crimes have declined slightly in the United States over time, data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) suggests others are on the rise. And according to Pew Research Center, most (58%) American adults believe that crime reduction should be a top priority of the government. In turn, this means that criminal justice positions will be a top priority, too. 

Given advancements in technology and artificial intelligence (AI), emerging trends in criminal justice could change the industry’s landscape in the coming years. However, several criminal justice roles are people-facing — so, though AI might become an expert at data analysis, there is no replacing humans in face-to-face interactions or for the development of real-world policies and applications based on an AI’s analysis. 

Salary Expectations 

Salaries for criminal justice careers can vary considerably, depending on the path you choose to pursue. For instance, comparing the following median annual salaries from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) demonstrates a wide range of earnings: 

However, these salaries reflect the median salaries for these positions across levels and are not necessarily representative of the top-tier, advanced positions often secured by doctoral-level graduates. For example, a doctoral degree qualifies most candidates for government jobs at the GS-11 level (General Schedule 11). While the salaries for these positions vary based on the applicant’s education and qualifications, the role and location, they generally start at anywhere around $60,000 to $75,000 annually. 

Job Stability and Security 

Possessing outstanding credentials (like doctoral degree in criminal justice) increases your value, making you a desirable and distinguished candidate within a variety of industries and positions. With your wealth of experience and highly specialized knowledge, a doctoral degree can help you enjoy better stability and security in the criminal justice field. 

Discover a New Future: Criminal Justice Career Opportunities With a DCJ or PhD

Whether you want to set out on a career path in a professional role within the justice system or plan to focus your career on research and academia, Keiser University offers graduate-level programs to help you achieve your academic and professional aspirations. By earning a Doctorate of Criminal Justice or a Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice, Keiser students acquire practical skills and knowledge while studying criminological theory — preparing them for a variety of professional or academic positions in criminal justice. 

To learn more about the kinds of careers for doctorates in criminal justice and where a graduate degree in criminal justice could take you, contact our graduate admissions counselors today.