Criminal Justice (Ph.D.)

In the Ph.D. in Human Services program-one of the largest of its kind-you'll be part of a community of professionals devoted to making a difference. You'll focus on applying action-oriented research to your practical expertise so that you can better assess, modify, and develop cutting-edge public and private services.

The Criminal Justice specialization addresses current issues related to public safety, juvenile delinquency, the courts and prisons, as well as solutions to the control and elimination of criminal behavior. Students study demographic shifts, economic disparity among racial and ethnic groups, urban decay, interpersonal violence, and the increasing role of substance abuse and poverty in criminal behavior. Graduates are prepared to lead the complex process of changing the community's social, educational, and economic infrastructures to reduce violence.