Featured School

University of Phoenix More Info

Returning to online classes to obtain an online PhD in Criminology is a wise decision. By choosing to further your education, you are opening up a whole new world of opportunities for your future. As a new online Criminology PhD student, you can explore a wide variety of courses that can lead to an exciting career change when completed. Whether you want to be promoted to an FBI agent or simply have more training for your current job position, a Criminology PhD is the perfect choice.

Online PhD in Criminology Requirements

Since you have decided to return to classes and obtain a PhD in Criminology, you should make sure that you are prepared for the career change that lies ahead. You cannot just start out and achieve a PhD; there are special requirements that you should be certain are met. A Master’s Degree in a related field is required.

Besides being extremely motivated and organized, there are many other qualifications you should meet in order to obtain an online PhD. Criminology majors should have a Masters Degree in one of the following careers before proceeding to the online Doctorate in Criminology program:

• Psychology;
• Sociology; or
• Criminal Justice.

You may also have prior experience working in law enforcement in positions such as a corrections officer; furthermore, experience as a social worker or counselor will assist with your studies as well.

Online PhD in Criminology Education

Since you have made the wonderful decision to obtain an online PhD Degree in Criminology, you should expect to spend an average of 3 to 6 more years completing your education. You will be required to write many papers on a doctoral level, as well as complete many examinations. To obtain a Criminology PhD online, you will be required to devote a lot of time to your studies in order to excel.

Information on Criminology Courses

As a Criminology student, you will learn important information on crime scene investigation and research, as well as learning how to analyze behavior properly. Drug use, gang activity, and violence will also be studied in detail. The following courses are required for a student who is obtaining an online PhD Criminology.

• History and Systems of Psychology
  This course allows students to understand the framework and history of psychology. Methods of inquiry as well as theoretical systems will be introduced in this course.
• Survey of Psychology l and ll
  These courses will prepare the student to work at a graduate level of psychology. Cognitive and sexual development will be discussed as well as psychological therapy. Child and family issues will also be discussed in the courses. Students will learn about illness and stress of the mind and what is needed to obtain online Doctoral Degrees in Criminology.
• Biological Bases of Behavior
  In this course students will study human physiology including the nervous system, reproductive system, and hormonal system of the body. Also covered in this course are human biological functions such as sleep, digestion, emotion and memory.
• Family Systems
  This course relates to family intervention. The life cycle and family patterns of traditional and alternative families will be discussed. Students will learn how to assess and treat family situations. Families will be viewed in a historical aspect as well.
• Types of Characteristics and Crime
  In this course students will learn to assess and classify different types of crime. Students will also learn how crime rate relates to age, sex, and race. Different types of crime and how the to respond to the situation will also be taught in this course.

Specializations and Concentrations

As a student that obtains your online Doctorate in Criminology, you will have experience and knowledge on many different subjects. Criminologists study a lot in research and teaching areas as well as law. Students will learn about hazards such as illegal activity, drugs, and gangs. You must remain highly interested in the field and willing to learn more than you already know about different behavior and family encounters.

The following courses should be taken in order for a student to pursue online Doctoral Programs in Criminology:

• Correctional Administration and Policy
• Corrections
• Criminal Ethnography
• Drug Addiction
• Juvenile Justice and Delinquency
• Macro-level Models of Criminal Behavior
• Policing
• Police Administration and Policy
• Radical Criminology
• Theoretical Criminology
• Victimology

Careers in Criminology

There are several possible career choices after students have successfully completed their online doctorate Degrees in Criminology. By obtaining an online Criminology Doctorate, you can explore many fields of Psychology, Sociology, and Law Enforcement. Online Doctoral programs in Criminology will open up a huge field of career choices as well as a healthy pay increase. The following are examples of future careers that you can obtain by completing one of the online PhD programs in Criminology.

• FBI Agent
  An FBI (Federal Bureau of Investigations) Agent will work in law enforcement at all levels. They have a duty to help protect the United States against terrorist attacks as well as assisting other law enforcement agencies. A wide field of investigations will be conducted when one works as an FBI Agent. The salary of an FBI agent starts out ranging between $48,000 and $60,000. There is a constant need for people in this career field, making it a very rewarding career.
• ATF Agent
  An ATF Agent deals with laws pertaining to alcohol, tobacco, and firearms. This is a specialized government agency that commonly conducts drug raids as well as enforces all laws pertaining to illegal drug possession. ATF Agents are responsible for working with other agencies as well as examining all evidence in these illegal situations. An ATF Agent starting out will make between $28,000 and $37,000 depending on a variety of things such as education, experience, and location.
• US Marshall
  A US Marshall is an important part of the Federal government. US Marshalls will work with many other agencies dealing with federal fugitives. They are responsible for fingerprinting fugitives as well as the Federal transport of prisoners. It is also the duty of a US Marshall to protect witnesses who are part of government investigations. The salary for a US Marshall starts out ranging between $35,000 and $40,000 annually.
• CIA Agent
  CIA Agents are another important part of the Federal government. CIA Agents may be responsible to travel worldwide to conduct Federal investigations. CIA Agents are required to travel for very long periods of time, sometimes to hazardous areas including war zones. CIA Agents are responsible to serve and protect the Central Intelligence Agency. Pay for a CIA Agent just beginning can range from an astonishing $50,000 to $95,000.
• Secret Service Agent
  A Secret Service Agent is responsible for conduction investigations for the United States Treasury. Secret Service Agents also play a top role in Homeland Security. They have a primary role of protecting the United States President. Salary for a Secret Service Agent ranges from $44,000 to $75,000 starting out.

Students can obtain their accredited Online PhD in Criminology by visiting online PhD programs.