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PhD in Criminal Justice Programs in Maine

Making time to complete a PhD in criminal justice is a huge commitment, so you may be curious about what kind of work you can do and what type of changes you may make at this advanced level of education. In Maine, a number of criminal justice issues currently dominate the field.

Whether you decide to focus on legislation, management, research, or instruction, you may contribute to improvement of these issues or guide the field to new goals entirely.

What Can I Do With My PhD in Criminal Justice in Maine?

Currently, legislators in Maine are looking for a way to afford the hefty price tag of reconstructing the state’s second-largest prison. Estimates place the cost at $149 million (WCSH 6, 2016). A comprehensive understanding of these issues may put you in a position to propose solutions.

As is the case in other New England states, Maine is in the grips of a drug epidemic (Bangor Daily News, 2016). Criminal justice experts are starting to realize the importance of treatment over incarceration, so the leadership skills you gain in a doctoral program may be a huge benefit.

Across various job opportunities, the outlook is stable through 2022 in Maine (O*Net, 2016). Administrative law judges in this state earn an average of $49,500 per year (O*Net, 2016). The median salary for a magistrate judge is $116,500 annually (O*Net, 2016).

Whether your goal is a PhD in criminology, criminal justice administration, or another specialty, find out more about your options now by checking out our list of schools below.

What Will It Take to Earn My Criminal Justice Graduate Degree in Maine?

This degree is, by far, the most demanding and prestigious of academic degrees. To succeed at this level and make it through your program, you may need to get extensive experience in research, analysis, leadership, networking, and policymaking. These are many areas to cover in one degree, which is why most programs in Maine require at least four years of study.

Earning a PhD is essentially a full-time job. To ensure that promising students have their mind on their coursework, many schools provide funding to PhD candidates. For schools with lots of funding or for students with a significant amount of potential, this may come in the form of free tuition. Still, even if you don’t qualify for a full ride, you may get some research funding for your degree.

Be prepared to work as a research or teaching assistant for some of your schooling time. Other options may be available to you, such as Maine Chiefs of Police Association scholarships.

Carefully evaluate each program’s curriculum before making your decision. The curriculum should outline how much time you spend on your dissertation, what specialized areas you study, and how much practical experience you get by graduation.

In your criminal justice PhD curriculum, you may find courses like:

  • Justice Administration and Information Systems
  • Public Policy and Planning
  • Advanced Criminological Theories
  • White Collar Crime
  • Psychology and the Legal Environment
  • Corporate Security

Both your dissertation and your internship are crucial parts of your education. Many students need at least two years of full-time study to complete a dissertation, although the difficulty of your thesis and your determination may impact your time investment. Many schools expect an internship of one or two semesters at a nearby agency, research firm, or legal employer. The connections you make at graduate criminal justice programs may benefit you for the duration of your career.

The path to a new career could start right now. Explore our list of criminal justice schools in Maine and contact local programs to learn more.