Doctor of Criminal Justice – Online Leadership Degree Defining the Future of Excellent Policing

60

Credit Hours

View Courses

100% online, 8-week courses

Transfer in up to 50% of the degree total

Are you a criminal justice professional looking to move into a top-level role in your organization? The field of criminal justice needs strong leaders who can creatively adapt to a wide variety of challenges. Whether you are currently serving in a position of authority or hope to soon don the mantle of leadership, Liberty University’s 100% online Doctor of Criminal Justice (DCJ) – Leadership can help you carry out your responsibilities with excellence and integrity.

Our doctorate in leadership and criminal justice is designed for law enforcement practitioners who hope to solve practical problems in their field. In this program, you won’t just study effective research methods — you’ll learn how to apply your research and address real-world challenges in your organization. With guidance from our seasoned faculty, you can become a leader who is able to generate ideas, implement solutions, and better serve the public.

If you are a senior criminal justice leader seeking career advancement, our criminal justice leadership doctoral program can help you take the next step toward achieving your goals. Partner with us and learn how to effectively oversee operations in public, private, and nonprofit criminal justice organizations.


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Ranked in the Top 10% of Niche.com’s Best Online Schools in America

What Sets Us Apart?

  • Private Nonprofit University
  • 600+ Online Degrees
  • No Standardized Testing for Admission
  • Transfer in up to 75% of an Undergrad Degree
  • Transfer in up to 50% of a Grad/Doctoral Degree

Liberty University has a rich history of viewing government, justice, national security, and public policy through a biblical lens — and this degree program seeks to further that tradition and spirit. Each of our courses emphasizes an ethical approach to criminal justice and leadership, so you can learn how to stand out as a leader in your field.

In this program, you’ll study under professors who have years of experience in criminal justice. Drawing on what they have learned in their own careers, our faculty can help you gain a deeper understanding of the purposes and procedures of criminal justice. They are committed to helping you grow academically, professionally, and personally as you pursue your online doctorate degree in criminal justice – leadership.

If you’re worried that school may get in the way of your other commitments and priorities, we have just what you need. Our doctorate in leadership and criminal justice is available 100% online with no set login times. At Liberty, you’ll have the freedom to earn your degree on your schedule while remaining invested in your family, job, and community.


This doctoral program is broken down into 5 main parts: core criminal justice courses, advanced focus courses, the leadership specialization, research and evaluation courses, and an applied research capstone project. Each section of this doctorate degree in criminal justice – leadership is designed to help you hone industry-specific skills that can be used directly in the field.

Throughout the core and advanced focus courses, you’ll explore theories of crime, juvenile justice, and corrections policy. You’ll also examine criminal justice from a global perspective through courses in transnational organized crime, comparative criminal justice systems, and terrorism and intelligence. Additionally, you can choose to study either organizational conflict or stress management in criminal justice.

Within the leadership specialization, you’ll learn about the major tenets of various leadership theories. As a criminal justice leader, you’ll likely need to make critical decisions that define your career and shape the public’s opinion of your organization. At Liberty, we’re committed to helping you face challenges with grace, wisdom, and dignity.

In addition, you’ll explore how to build and sustain effective criminal justice organizations. With studies in strategic planning and human resource development, you can learn how to foster a positive work environment that helps your employees grow and thrive in their roles. By partnering with us, you can become equipped to develop an organization that fights injustice, serves the common good, and creates safer communities.

Lastly, you’ll complete an extensive sequence of research and evaluation courses, culminating in a capstone project intended for application in a professional setting. You’ll develop your project using research and scholarship best practices, with the goal of making a valuable contribution to current operations and practices in criminal justice.

Degree Completion Plan (PDF)


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Not sure what to choose?

Speak to one of our admissions specialists to help you choose the program that best fits your needs.

Your success is our success, which is why we are committed to providing quality academics at an affordable tuition rate. While other colleges are increasing their tuition, we have frozen tuition rates for the majority of our undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs for the past 9 years – and counting.

Doctoral Full Time $595/Credit
Doctoral Part Time $650/Credit

Eligible current and former military service members and their spouses may qualify for a special rate of $300/credit hour (learn more).

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Military

Liberty University is dedicated to providing world-class educational experiences to military students across the globe.

Who May Qualify?

  • Active Duty
  • Reserve/National Guard
  • Veterans/Retirees
  • Spouses of Service Members and Veterans/Retirees

Military Tuition Discount

We want to help you find the doctoral degree you want – at a price you’ve earned. As a thank-you for your military service, Liberty University offers eligible current and former service members like you or your spouse multiple pathways to earn a doctoral degree for only $300/credit hour. Find out how you can take advantage of this unique opportunity as you work toward your goal of reaching the pinnacle of your profession – for less.