How to Get a PhD in Juvenile Justice

For almost two centuries, the juvenile justice program in the United States has been unfolding. It began in 1825 with the New York House of Refuge, the first facility for juvenile delinquents. The first juvenile court was established in 1899, and by 1925, almost every state had one. As the juvenile justice system has evolved, young people in the system have seen an increasing need for advocates.

Today, those who work in criminal justice are the eyes and ears of a system that may not always be perfect. Professionals who choose a career in juvenile justice are positioned to demand review and foster change in a system that, though flawed, does have the best interests of juveniles at heart.

Earning your PhD in juvenile justice launches you to the top of your field. The doctorate is a great achievement, one that results in a vast horizon of career options. Whether you work directly with juveniles and courts on a daily basis, or handle research and administration duties that lead to a significant understanding of the criminal justice system, your PhD in juvenile justice is the key that opens the door.

A PhD in juvenile justice can take four to six years to complete. First comes the application process--and this is your guide to selecting the perfect PhD program to meet your career goals.

What to Expect--An Overview of the PhD in Criminal Justice: Juvenile Justice

To earn your PhD in juvenile justice, your curriculum consists of all aspects of criminology and law. You may learn about detention centers and prisons, correctional and juvenile law, correctional counseling, community corrections such as parole and probation, and juvenile corrections. You may also take research courses and in-depth studies on administration.

The graduate program in juvenile justice gives you a firm grasp of the history, theory, and legal foundations behind the system itself. The program teaches the methods for gathering data and research, the critical issues facing the juvenile justice system, and what your colleagues are doing to create a better system. When you earn your PhD in juvenile justice, you can step into a leadership role in your field.

How to Choose a PhD Program in Criminal Justice: Juvenile Justice

A quick search for PhD programs for juvenile justice yields hundreds of possibilities. Before you begin your hard look at doctorate programs, take the time to decide what you want to get out of your education.

What Are Your Long-Term Career Goals?

What do you plan to do with that PhD in juvenile justice? Do you intend to work in the court system, handling juvenile cases directly? Or, do you hope to work in administration, research, or advocacy? Choosing where you want to be in five, ten, or twenty years is an essential part of planning for your doctorate degree.

• Academic track or professional track. Is your career focus on research, education, and influencing the system from an academic standpoint? Or do you intend to apply your knowledge of juvenile justice in a day-to-day setting, such as in corrections or counseling? The path you choose helps determine which PhD program is right for you.

• On-Campus, online, or both? Earning your degree through an online PhD program means you might never have to set foot on a campus. Opting for the traditional campus experience might mean juggling work and family obligations in order to attend classroom instruction. A possible compromise is a hybrid of online education with some hands-on classroom work from time to time.

• Location. If you choose the on-campus option or decide on a hybrid of on-campus and online education, the location of your chosen school matters. Are you close enough to the school of your choice? Have you considered relocating for your educational plans? If you choose an online PhD program, the location of the school may not be an important factor.

• Family/Work/Life balance. If you have family and work responsibilities, choosing a graduate degree program that won't upset your life balance is very important. An online PhD program can offer the flexibility you need to get your education without putting the rest of your life on the back burner.

Create a Short List of PhD Programs in Juvenile Justice

When you know what you need from a graduate program, it's time to look at colleges that qualify. Narrow them down based on the criteria you have already considered, and then move forward into a "must-have" list. This list of requirements ensures that an online PhD program delivers the quality of education you deserve.

• Accreditation. Earning your PhD in juvenile justice through an accredited school shows that your program has quality in mind. Colleges earn accreditation through reviews of course content, faculty expertise, admissions procedures, and other factors.

• Faculty and staff. Look at the names of the faculty heading up your potential PhD program. Do you recognize any names? Pay special attention to those schools who have seasoned criminal justice professionals among their faculty and staff.

• Reputation. Dig deep into the history of the PhD programs you are targeting. What is their graduation rate? What about job satisfaction among graduates? How long has the program been in place, and how long have the faculty members been teaching with that particular school? Research the reputation of a graduate program, and if you have questions about something you find, don't hesitate to ask the admissions office for clarification or more information.

• Optional courses. Though courses in psychology, social work, and criminology are often integrated into a juvenile justice doctorate program, you may want to take other courses that further enhance your career possibilities. Look for a school that offers optional courses, such as computer science or a foreign language, and find out how much those courses cost.

• Recommendations. Put your networking skills to good use and ask trusted colleagues what they have heard about certain PhD programs. Word travels fast, and the best graduate programs earn their word-of-mouth recommendations.

• Visit the campus. If you can visit the campus, do it! Take a tour if one is available, ask to sit in for a class or two, and speak to faculty about the PhD program. If your PhD program is entirely online, ask about ways to discuss the school with faculty and current students.

Choose the Top Campus or Online PhD Programs in Juvenile Justice

Now that you have a solid short list of possible doctorate programs, it's time to narrow that list even further. Gather as much information as you can to compare the PhD programs you are interested in.

• School Web sites. Dig deep into the school Web sites. Write down any questions you might have that aren't answered on the site. Type the school into a search engine and see what comes up. Visit WorldWideLearn.com to get a great deal of information about the school of your choice in one convenient place.

• U.S. News and World Report. How does your chosen graduate school stack up against the competition? U.S. News and World Report offers rankings of the top criminology graduate schools in the country.

• Accredited graduate programs. If you aren't sure whether an online PhD program is accredited, turn to the U.S. Department of Education for help. It maintains a database of all accredited colleges and universities. Remember, a degree from an accredited school may be taken more seriously by your peers and potential employers.

• Professional organizations. Networking through professional organizations can give you insight into which PhD programs are best for your needs. Places like The American Society of Criminology or the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences are good places to start.

• Industry publications. The field of criminal justice offers a wide array of journals and publications, all of which can provide valuable insight into graduate programs. The journals Justice Quarterly, Juvenile Justice, and Criminology are all good places to start.

• Resource guides. Many PhD programs offer a resource guide that leads you through the application process. WorldWideLearn.com offers The Insider's College Guide for Working Adults, an in-depth, comprehensive resource guide.

• WorldWideLearn.com. WorldWideLearn.com has a wealth of information, including an Education Resources link to aid your search; simple forms to find out more about schools that interest you; and in-depth information on program requirements, financial aid, and other particulars that can make finding the perfect online PhD program much easier.

How to Apply to a PhD Program in Juvenile Justice

Carefully evaluate your options for graduate programs in juvenile justice, and narrow that list down to two or three strong contenders. Next, it's time to focus on what is required of you to earn your PhD in juvenile justice.

• Qualifying exams. The GRE, or Graduate Record Examination, is often a requirement for entry into a doctorate program. If you need help with exam preparation, WorldWideLearn.com has resources available to make the testing process easier.

• Required courses. Have you taken all the basic courses required to enter the PhD program? If you are lacking a certain requirement, consider taking the course online to expedite the process.

• Recommendations. Many PhD programs require written letters of recommendation from your colleagues or a respected faculty member at your previous school. Letters of recommendation assure the directors of the PhD program that you can handle the workload and complete your studies.

• Financial aid. Review financial aid and loan programs to make certain you can afford the costs of graduate school. Remember that federal financial aid is available only for accredited PhD programs. Cover all the bases by looking at WorldWideLearn.com's financial aid resource section.

• Work experience. Some PhD programs may require a certain amount of work experience prior to admission. Double-check the stipulations on work experience to make sure your history qualifies.

• Thorough applications. When you think you're done with your application, go back to the beginning and double-check everything. A professional, thorough application is the first impression you present to the admissions committee, so make it count!

Choosing a Career in Juvenile Justice

Millions of juveniles are arrested in the United States each year. Each of them needs a strong juvenile justice system that addresses whatever offense they have committed and offers a punishment as a way to turn their lives around before they become adult offenders. With your PhD in juvenile justice, you're on the front lines of the fight to protect and serve the youth of today, and help guide them to be good, productive citizens tomorrow.

When you choose to earn your online PhD in juvenile justice, you are one step closer to making your career dreams come true. WorldWideLearn.com is dedicated to helping you reach those important goals. Through WorldWideLearn.com, you can gather information on graduate programs and make good use of educational resources designed to lead you through the process from research to application.

Earning your PhD in juvenile justice could be the best career move you ever make. The benefits can be far-reaching for you and for the juveniles you serve. Let WorldWideLearn.com help you get there.

Sources

• Eastern Kentucky University College of Justice and Safety, Correctional and Juvenile Justice Studies Graduate Program
• Educational Testing Service, GRE: Graduate Record Examination Information
• Georgia State University Department of Criminal Justice, Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• PBS Frontline, Juvenile Justice: Child or Adult? A Century-Long View
  
• U.S. Department of Education, Office of Post-secondary Education, The Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
• U.S. News and World Report, "Best Graduate School Rankings: Criminology"
• WorldWideLearn.com, Online Law and Criminal Justice Degrees in Juvenile Justice