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The UNLV Criminology and Criminal Justice Ph.D. provides an interdisciplinary, research-oriented perspective for advanced understanding of the nature and causes of crime, consequences of crime and crime control, society's reaction to these phenomena, as well as the organizations that are designed to deter, apprehend, prosecute, punish, or reform criminal offenders.

The program will prepare students for research, teaching, and professional employment at universities, research institutes, and criminal justice related agencies — including, governmental agencies, related non-profit agencies, public policy institutes, and the private sector.

Available Options

Post-Bachelor’s Track

Post-Master’s Track

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the program, graduates will be able to:

Demonstrate advanced theoretical knowledge of the nature of crime, and understanding regarding patterns of criminal activity.

Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of the law and the legal system, as well as decision-making in the criminal justice process, the social and political context of the legal system, important constitutional issues, and how criminal law differs from other forms of law.

Demonstrate advanced knowledge and understanding of criminal justice institutions and processes, and current criminal justice policy.

Demonstrate the ability to develop a research question, conduct research using primary data collection, and employ appropriate research methods and statistical analysis techniques.

Demonstrate advanced knowledge regarding major sources of data used to assess crime and criminal justice processing, and the ability to conduct research using secondary data analysis and sophisticated statistical analysis techniques.

Demonstrate advanced knowledge and skills necessary to effectively conduct program evaluation and/or social policy evaluation research in criminal justice related organizations or government.

Demonstrate the basic theoretical, empirical, and substantive knowledge and skills required for teaching at the university level, or for research and social policy positions in criminal justice related fields.