PhD in Criminal Justice Programs in Colorado
Updated September 21, 2026
Federal completions data lists one Colorado institution, Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs, with a doctoral-level criminal justice credential, though its current availability needs confirming directly with the school. Most Colorado residents pursue an online CJ or criminology PhD instead. Admissions requirements, program length, and funding vary by school, so compare specific programs rather than assuming a standard path.
A criminal justice PhD is a research-focused terminal degree, though some schools award a related professional doctorate instead, built for people who want to run research, shape policy, or teach at the college level rather than carry a caseload themselves. Program length, admissions requirements, and structure vary more at the doctoral level than at any other degree stage, so treat what follows as a starting point, not a substitute for checking directly with each school.
What Can I Do With My PhD in Criminal Justice in Colorado?
Postsecondary teaching is one common path, though some postsecondary teaching positions accept a master’s degree rather than requiring a doctorate. Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary had a Colorado median annual wage of $122,050 in May 2025, well above the $76,590 national median for the same detailed occupation (BLS). That Colorado figure is drawn from a small sample, about 370 workers statewide, so treat it as a rough benchmark rather than a guarantee. Colorado’s own labor department also projects a 16.9% increase in these teaching jobs from 2024 to 2034 (ProjectionsCentral), a category that covers postsecondary instructors broadly, not only tenure-track faculty.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary. Long-term (2024-34) job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, ProjectionsCentral. Figures reflect state-level data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed September 2026.
Colorado’s Commission on Criminal and Juvenile Justice pursued multiple rounds of sentencing-reform proposals over the 2010s, including changes to mandatory-minimum and consecutive-sentencing rules (Denver Post). The state’s Division of Criminal Justice, through its Office of Research and Statistics, publishes the crime and justice data those debates draw on (Colorado Division of Criminal Justice). Some CJ doctoral graduates go on to research or policy work at agencies like this, though hiring requirements vary by position and agency rather than following from the degree alone.
Discover more about what it takes to earn a doctoral degree by requesting information from the criminal justice PhD programs above.
What Will It Take to Earn My Criminal Justice Graduate Degree in Colorado?
Program structure varies more at the doctoral level than at any other degree stage. Some programs require a completed master’s degree before you apply, others admit directly from a bachelor’s. Time to degree, dissertation requirements, and whether a program awards a research-focused PhD or a professional doctorate, like a Doctor of Management with a criminal justice concentration, all differ by school. Confirm each of these directly with any program you’re considering.
Tuition also varies by school, format, and residency status, and online programs aren’t always priced the same as an in-state seat. Ask each program for its current cost per credit hour or per semester, and whether that cost changes for Colorado residents.
Concentrations offered vary by program, but common examples in the field include:
- Law Enforcement
- Judiciary Systems
- Correctional Systems
- Juvenile Justice
Course titles vary by school too, but you’re likely to encounter subjects like:
- Criminal Justice Systems, Policies, and Practice
- Law and Society
- Special Topics in Criminal Justice
- Criminological Theory
Some programs include a research or teaching practicum; others don’t. Ask whether it’s required, and what support, funding, mentorship, or otherwise, comes with it.
Funding arrangements differ significantly by program. Ask directly about teaching- or research-assistant work, tuition waivers, and stipends. A private, for-profit institution’s funding model can look very different from a public university’s, so don’t assume one program’s terms apply to another.
If the program is a research PhD, expect a dissertation: a topic and hypothesis developed early with an advisor, followed by several years of research and writing before a defense in front of a faculty committee. A professional doctorate may use a different culminating project instead. Check which type of doctorate a specific program actually awards before you assume the requirements.
Where to Study a Criminal Justice Doctorate in Colorado
Federal completions data lists one Colorado institution with a doctoral-level credential in a criminal justice-family field:
| Institution | City | Control | Field | Credential |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colorado Technical University-Colorado Springs | Colorado Springs | Private, for-profit | Criminal Justice | Doctoral |
That listing reflects reported program completions, not necessarily a currently enrolling program. The historical source of this credential appears to be CTU’s Doctor of Management with a Criminal Justice concentration, a program CTU’s own catalog shows stopped accepting new students at its Denver-area and virtual campuses in 2019 and 2020. Confirm directly with Colorado Technical University whether any doctoral criminal justice option is currently open before applying. Most Colorado residents pursuing a criminal justice doctorate today enroll in an accredited online program instead. This page doesn’t audit individual online programs, so confirm accreditation and current enrollment status directly with any school you’re considering.
School and program data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, institution file May 2025 and field-of-study file April 2025. Data accessed September 2026.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a master’s degree before I can start a criminal justice PhD?
It depends on the program. Some doctoral programs require a completed master’s degree first, and others admit directly from a bachelor’s. Check the specific program’s admissions requirements before you apply.
How long does a criminal justice PhD take in Colorado?
Timelines vary by program and largely by how quickly you complete your dissertation or capstone project. Ask any program you’re considering for its typical time to degree.
Can I earn a criminal justice PhD online while living in Colorado?
Yes. Multiple accredited universities offer an online PhD or professional doctorate in criminal justice or criminology open to Colorado residents. Confirm accreditation and current enrollment status directly with any program you’re considering.
What jobs can I get with a criminal justice PhD?
Postsecondary teaching is one common path. Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary had a Colorado median annual wage of $122,050 in May 2025 (BLS), though some postsecondary roles accept a master’s degree instead of a doctorate. Others move into research or policy work at state or federal agencies, though specific hiring requirements vary by position rather than by degree alone.
Key Takeaways
- Confirm before you apply – Federal completions data lists one Colorado institution with a doctoral-level CJ credential, but it’s likely sourced from a program that stopped enrolling new students in 2020. Verify current availability directly with the school.
- Colorado’s median pay for CJ postsecondary teachers was $122,050 in May 2025 – Well above the $76,590 national median (BLS), though the state figure comes from a small sample and some postsecondary roles accept a master’s instead of a doctorate.
- Admissions and program structure vary widely – Some programs require a master’s first; others don’t. Ask directly rather than assuming a standard path.
- Confirm funding separately for each program – Assistantships, tuition waivers, and stipends aren’t standard across every doctoral program.
Before you apply anywhere, call the admissions office directly and ask three questions: is this program currently accepting new students, what does the culminating dissertation or capstone actually require, and what funding, if any, comes with it. Those three answers tell you more than any ranking will.
Want the bigger picture? Read the full guide to Doctoral Degrees in Criminal Justice | DCJ and PhD.