Doctoral Degree Program
Doctoral students typically spend four years completing required courses and electives, taking qualifying examinations, and pursuing an original investigation of a research problem. A dissertation is presented at the culmination of Ph.D. study.

Masters Degree Program
Students have two options for completing a masters degree: masters essay or comprehensive examination. For the master’s essay, students complete a paper on an empirical research project, a legal research project, a policy proposal, a needs assessment, a grant proposal, a review of literature or other criminal justice-focused project. The comprehensive exam is a written final examination that tests students’ ability to synthesize a body of knowledge in criminal justice.

Joint Degrees
A joint juris doctorate/masters program is offered by the School of Criminal Justice and Rutgers School of Law-Newark. This program affords students the opportunity to gain both legal and criminological training.

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