About Doctoral

Doctoral students are required to take a set of core, analytical methods, and elective courses, write a major area paper, and complete a dissertation. If you entered the doctoral program without a previous master's degree, you are also required to complete the MA in criminology, law and society (including thesis) as an integral component of the PhD.

Typically, full-time students take the required coursework during their first two years in the program, write a thesis in their second year (if required), and complete the major area paper in their third year.