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    4. Graduate Programs

    Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Intelligence (Ph.D.)

    The Criminal Justice with a Concentration in Intelligence (Ph.D.) at UNG is designed to meet the intelligence and research needs of military, federal, state, and local governmental agencies, private corporations engaged in intelligence fields, and others who are interested in developing greater knowledge about the field of intelligence and research studies.

    The objective of this degree is to prepare students for analytic, operational, research, and investigative intelligence positions within the federal government, the military, local law enforcement, and the private sector and to produce well-trained criminologists, researchers, teachers, and criminal justice practitioners

    The Ph.D. in Criminal Justice program at UNG will require the completion of a minimum of 54 credit hours, contingent upon an earned master’s degree. The program will consist of 30 hours of core course, 9 hours of electives, and 15 hours will be dissertation credits. All students will be required to complete and defend a dissertation. In addition, students will be required to complete two teaching practicums.

    Request Information Apply Attend a Virtual Information Session

    Criminal Justice (Ph.D.) Program Quick Facts

    • Online program, no campus visit required
    • Asynchronous online classes
    • Program length 54 credit hours (minimum)
    • Full-time or part-time enrollment
    • Cohort begins in fall semester

    Application Deadlines

    All application materials are to be received prior to the deadline. Completing your application earlier is better.

    If program capacity is met prior to established admission deadlines, we will stop accepting applications for admission and cancel remaining incomplete applicants.

    Fall Deadline

    • April 1

    How to Apply to the Criminal Justice (Ph.D.) Program

    • Degree Seeking Regular

      Requirements

      • Graduate degree in area of social science (e.g. criminal justice, sociology, psychology, etc.) from  an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with at least a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures.
      • Have completed with a grade of B or higher one graduate basic statistics course.
      • Have completed with a grade of B or higher one graduate research methods course.
      • Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Score: Applicants must submit official GRE scores as a requirement for admission into the Ph.D. program. The Ph.D. program at UNG does not have a minimum GRE score, nor does the admissions committee use a formula to determine admission eligibility. All aspects of the applicant’s file are taken into consideration for admission decisions. Please note, only test scores less than five years old will be considered.
      • Required Supplemental Documents
        • Three UNG recommendation forms.
        • Statement of Professional and Academic Goals: Two to three pages that include the applicant’s fields of interest and how the Ph.D. program will contribute to the goals.
        • Current professional resume.
        • One Academic Paper/Writing Sample: Single-authored writing sample that demonstrates the applicant’s writing ability. Examples include a chapter from the applicant’s thesis or a paper written for course credit. The paper submitted should not be longer than 25 double-spaced pages.

      Applying to UNG

      • Step 1Application and Application Fee
      • Step 2Official Transcripts
      • Step 3Official Entrance Test Score
      • Step 4Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.
      • Step 5Graduate Assistants
      • Step 6Persons Aged 62 or Over

      Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.

      Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.

      • Non-refundable application fee of $40.
      • Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.
      • Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.
      • Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.

      Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work at the graduate level.

      • Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.
      • Transcripts that have been opened, scanned or forwarded by email are not official and will not be accepted.
      • Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.
      • Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.
      • International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75. 
      • Graduate Admissions will retrieve transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG. You do not need to order official transcripts from UNG.

      University of North Georgia’s institutional code is 5497 for submitting official GRE General Test scores. Only test scores less than five years old will be considered.

      Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.

      Learn More

      Interested in applying for a graduate assistant position at UNG? 

      • Visit UNG's Job Site and select Grad Assistant to view available positions. 
      • When prompted on the Graduate Admissions application, select "Yes" to be added to our email communications about upcoming positions. 
      • Graduate assistants are required to have health insurance. For additional information, visit USG Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP)

      Submit a birth certificate or Georgia driver’s license to enable UNG to determine eligibility.
      • Must be a resident of Georgia and 62 years of age or older at the time of registration.
      • May enroll as a regular or auditing student in courses on a “space available” basis without payment of fees, except for supplies, laboratory or shop fees.

      Learn More

    • Degree Seeking Provisional

      Applicants who have a related graduate degree outside of the social sciences or who do not have the necessary course prerequisites may qualify for provisional admission.

      Requirements

      • Graduate degree from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with at least a cumulative grade point average of 3.2 (4.0 scale) calculated in accordance with Graduate Admissions procedures.
      • Official Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Score: Applicants must submit official GRE scores as a requirement for admission into the Ph.D. program. The Ph.D. program at UNG does not have a minimum GRE score, nor does the admissions committee use a formula to determine admission eligibility. All aspects of the applicant’s file are taken into consideration for admission decisions. Please note, only test scores less than five years old will be considered.
      • Required Supplemental Documents
        • Three UNG recommendation forms.
        • Statement of Professional and Academic Goals: Two to three pages that include the applicant’s fields of interest and how the Ph.D. program will contribute to the goals.
        • Current professional resume.
        • One Academic Paper/Writing Sample: Single-authored writing sample that demonstrates the applicant’s writing ability. Examples include a chapter from the applicant’s thesis or a paper written for course credit. The paper submitted should not be longer than 25 double-spaced pages.

      Provisional degree-seeking students

      • may register for a maximum of nine semester hours of graduate credit.
      • will be reviewed to determine eligibility for regular admission following completion of the first semester.
      • are not eligible for federal financial aid while enrolled in courses as a provisional student.
      • will not be allowed to continue in the program if a grade of C or lower is earned in any graduate course.
      • may apply for readmission after three semesters from the date removed from the program because of a deficient grade by submitting a new application to Graduate Admissions with a letter addressed to the program coordinator requesting readmission.
      • Step 1Application and Application Fee
      • Step 2Official Transcripts
      • Step 3Official Entrance Test Score
      • Step 4Verification of Lawful Presence in the U.S.
      • Step 5Graduate Assistants
      • Step 6Persons Aged 62 or Over

      Submit the online application for Graduate Admissions.

      Please allow three business days after submitting your application for processing. You will receive an email from grads@ung.edu after your application has been reviewed for accuracy and updated with submitted documents. Please do not check your application status prior to receiving an email from this office as your online application checklist will not accurately reflect the required items for your program of interest.

      • Non-refundable application fee of $40.
      • Pay with a credit/debit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, American Express) or electronic check (U.S. banks only) when completing the online application.
      • Include a check or money order payable to UNG when submitting a paper application.
      • Required supplemental documents may be uploaded with your application or emailed to grads@ung.edu.

      Submit one set of official transcripts from each institution attended for all course work at the graduate level.

      • Transfer credit posted on records of other institutions is not accepted in lieu of transcripts from original institutions. Please request a transcript from each institution attended.
      • Transcripts that have been opened, scanned or forwarded by email are not official and will not be accepted.
      • Official paper transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution and mailed to University of North Georgia Admissions Imaging Center, P.O. Box 1358, Gainesville, GA 30503-1358. Student paper transcripts are accepted only when issued to the student in a sealed envelope and submitted to Graduate Admissions unopened.
      • Official electronic transcripts are accepted if submitted from the issuing institution to grads@ung.edu. Depending on the transcript service you are using, grads@ung.edu may not be an available option. You may then select any admissions or undergraduate admissions @ung.edu address. Electronic transcripts forwarded via email from the student are not accepted.
      • International transcripts must have a course-by-course credential evaluation by an independent evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (AICE). Evaluations must be sent directly from the agency to the Admissions office. Refer to the evaluator website for a full list of NACES or AICE members. Official evaluations must include certification that the applicant's course work and degrees earned are equivalent to course work and degrees earned from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) and include a cumulative grade point average. Evaluations should be submitted from the evaluation service to Graduate Admissions. Evaluations must include certification that the applicant has received a baccalaureate from an accredited institution (as defined under Accredited Institutions in the Academic Information section of the Graduate Catalog) with a minimum grade point average of 2.75. 
      • Graduate Admissions will retrieve transcripts of coursework completed in-residence at UNG. You do not need to order official transcripts from UNG.

      University of North Georgia’s institutional code is 5497 for submitting official GRE General Test scores. Only test scores less than five years old will be considered.

      Board of Regents’ policy requires all applicants accepted for admission or readmission to UNG seeking in-state for tuition classification provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the state of Georgia and the United States.

      Learn More

      Interested in applying for a graduate assistant position at UNG? 

      • Visit UNG's Job Site and select Grad Assistant to view available positions. 
      • When prompted on the Graduate Admissions application, select "Yes" to be added to our email communications about upcoming positions. 
      • Graduate assistants are required to have health insurance. For additional information, visit USG Student Health Insurance Program (SHIP)

      Submit a birth certificate or Georgia driver’s license to enable UNG to determine eligibility.
      • Must be a resident of Georgia and 62 years of age or older at the time of registration.
      • May enroll as a regular or auditing student in courses on a “space available” basis without payment of fees, except for supplies, laboratory or shop fees.

      Learn More

    • Non-Degree
      The Ph.D. in Criminal Justice program does not permit non-degree students.
    • Transient

      The Ph.D. in Criminal Justice program does not permit transient students.

    • All International

      International applicants who must be issued an F-1 visa by UNG to enter the United States to attend school may not apply for completely part-time (less than nine hours) or online programs. This program is only offered as an online program and therefore does not permit F-1 visa student admission.

    • Appeal of Graduate Admission

      A candidate whose application is denied has the right to appeal the decision. A written letter of appeal must include strong evidence to support the basis for your appeal. The appeal should consist of information beyond what was previously submitted in your admissions file and detail your ability to be successful in graduate studies.

      • Students whose appeals are granted will be admitted as provisional students.
      • Students are not eligible for financial aid while taking courses under a provisional admission status.
      • Students may not appeal for regular admission.

      Email your letter of appeal as a pdf attachment to grads@ung.edu.

    Start Your Application Learn More About Graduate Admissions

    Criminal Justice (Ph.D.) Curriculum

    Required Courses (30 credit hours)

    • CRJU 8100 - Contemporary Criminological Theory

      This course will examine some of the major theories developed to explain crime and criminal behavior, followed by a discussion of theories on punishment and social control, developmental and life course theories, social reaction theories, and critical theory. The course will also include a discussion on the present state and future prospects of criminological theory.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 8200 - Quantitative Research Methods

      This course offers a hands-on opportunity for doctoral students to experience the practice of quantitative research. This course is designed to train graduate students in quantitative research methodology, from conceptualization, through design and data collection processes for use in their graduate studies and their careers. The course is a program requirement for doctoral students.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 8300 - Qualitative Research Methods

      This course offers a hands-on opportunity for doctoral students to experience the practice of qualitative research. This course is designed to train graduate students in qualitative research methodology, from conceptualization, through design and data collection processes for use in their graduate studies and their careers. The course is a program requirement for doctoral students.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 8400 - Advanced Statistical Analysis

      This course is an advanced overview of descriptive and inferential statistics with emphasis on the latter. Students will gain practical experience in analyzing current data from the social sciences through the use of statistical computer programs. Topics include: sampling, measures of central tendency and dispersion, probability theory, hypothesis testing, point and interval estimation, chi-square distributions, correlation, multiple regression analysis, logistic regression analysis, and factor analysis.

      Prerequisite/Corequisite:
      Prerequisite: CRJU 8200

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 8500 - Directed Teaching in Criminal Justice I

      This course focuses on pedagogical issues in teaching criminal justice content at the undergraduate level. Techniques for teaching in class as well as online will be introduced and discussed. Course design and development will also be introduced.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 8600 - Directed Teaching in Criminal Justice II

      This course focuses on course development, design, and delivery for teaching criminal justice content at the undergraduate level. Supervised co-teaching in an existing undergraduate course is included.

      Prerequisite/Corequisite:
      Prerequisite: CRJU 8500 and 18 hours of coursework in the program

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 8610 - Intelligence Analysis

      This course provides an overview and introduction of the intelligence analysis function within the law enforcement organization, including an overview of the techniques and applications used to plan investigations, collect reliable intelligence, process and analyze the intelligence, and disseminate it to other agencies. The course prepares the student for using these techniques within a law enforcement organization.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 8612 - Crime Analysis and Intelligence-Led Policing

      This course is an advanced overview of techniques and processes related to Intelligence-Led Policing (ILP) and other advanced methods in crime analysis. Topics include: the origins of ILP, decision making based on ILP and crime analysis, the role of technology, as well as the evaluation and assessment of these methods. Technology related to ILP, such as crime mapping, mobile data terminals, COMPSTAT and related technologies will be discussed.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 8613 - Terrorism, Intelligence, and Homeland Security

      This course covers the historical and contemporary issues interrelating terrorism, intelligence and homeland security. The course represents not only a strong scholarly approach to the study of terrorism, but also incorporates the real-world experience of federal agents, police officers, and soldiers tasked with preventing the next terrorist attack on our country. It is designed to help students develop a working knowledge of people, ideas, organizations and current issues in the field. The approach of this course provides students with a unified and cutting-edge understanding of terrorism, intelligence, and homeland security and their interrelationship.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 8614 - Cybercrime, Policy, and Intelligence

      This course will explore the policy and law of computer crime and consider how "cybercrimes" are different from and similar to transgressive behavior in physical space. Topics will include the Fourth Amendment, forensics, electronic surveillance, cyberbullying, identity theft, computer hacking and cracking, espionage, cyberterrorism, privacy, the era of "forced disclosure," and the challenge of cross-jurisdiction enforcement.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    Electives (9 credit hours)

    • CRJU 7005 - Global Crime and Justice

      In the last two decades, transnational crime has experienced an unprecedented expansion, now accounting for roughly 15 percent of the world's GDP. Profits from transnational crime groups have been termed the 'global shadow economy' or the 'dark side of the economy.' The purpose of this course is to study crime and criminal justice from a global perspective. The course will examine how globalization and improvements in communication technologies have led to a recent growth in transnational crime. The course will explore issues surrounding the definitions, incidence, and trends in transnational crime. The course also analyzes efforts made by contemporary nation states and multilateral agencies to combat illicit transnational activity. Specific crime topics discussed include, drug trafficking, arms trafficking, the trafficking of persons, the sex industry, fraud, cybercrime, and transnational criminal organizations.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 7010 - Criminal Justice Policy

      This course is a survey of program evaluation and policy analysis techniques relating to the philosophical and practical administration of criminal justice. The focus is on how policy in criminal justice is created, analyzed and changed. The student will be introduced to critical issues in criminal justice and policymaking at the local, state, and federal levels as well as effective and ineffective policies and strategies used in the criminal justice system.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 7112 - Police and Society

      The purpose of this course is to examine the development and role of police in modern society. This not a course on police administration or criminal investigation, rather the course examines the function of police in the context of the large society. As such, it will explore such topics as, the history of policing, police recruitment, police misconduct, police discretion, police culture, patterns of police-community relations, crime prevention strategies, the relationship between police and the media. Like other course in the graduate curriculum, this class will integrate theory, research, and policy by relying on academic journal articles as the source for class discussions.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 7115 - Corrections and Penology

      This course will examine the current research in corrections and penology. It will address specific issues such as public perception and reaction to the criminal justice system's methods of punishment and treatment of criminal offenders, the effectiveness of sentencing options and policies and the various theoretical and methodological approaches to the study of community-based corrections, intermediate sanctions, and prisons.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 7117 - Legal Liabilities of Criminal Justice

      This course is an examination of the liability issues that challenge criminal justice professionals in the performance of their duties. The course will result in an examination of how management and administration in criminal justice relates to ethical, civil, and criminal behaviors of personnel.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 7120 - Forensic Behavioral Analysis

      The purpose of this course is to examine criminal behavior through a psychological perspective. Upon completion of this course, students should have acquired knowledge regarding the major psychological theories of criminal behavior as well as specific psychological disorders that potentially contribute to criminal behavior, such as personality disorders, impulse control disorders, and sexual disorders. Students will study the behaviors and traits of the perpetrators and victims of such crimes as, serial murder, rape, child molestation, domestic homicide, mass murder, and serial arson. The course will also familiarize students with various techniques for analyzing and understanding criminal behavior though crime scene analysis. These techniques include an introduction to the fundamentals of criminal investigative analysis, criminal profiling, risk assessment, and interview strategies. Critical thinking skills are emphasized by the utilization of case studies that will involved an analysis of offender psychopathology, modus operandi, and signature.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 7900 - Special Topics in Criminal Justice

      A seminar on topics which will vary according to instructor and student interest. With a change in topic, this course may be repeated for credit.

      Hours:
      0-9

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 8900 - Special Topics in Criminal Justice

      A seminar on topics in criminal justice that will vary according to instructor and student interest. This course is designed to introduce relevant contemporary topics not covered by existing curriculum. The course may be repeated for credit with a change in topic for a maximum of 6 hours credit.

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 8920 - Independent Study in Criminal Justice

      An advanced independent study of a relevant topic in the field of criminal justice. Study topics are subject to approval by the supervising faculty member and the graduate coordinator.

      Prerequisite/Corequisite:
      Prerequisite: approval of the graduate coordinator

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    Dissertation Research (15 credit hours)

    • CRJU 8801 - Directed Reading in Criminal Justice

      This course is designed as an independent study of major written works in the field of criminal justice, especially those highlighted in the curriculum. It is intended to prepare the student for comprehensive examinations prior to beginning work on a dissertation.

      Prerequisite/Corequisite:
      Prerequisite: Permission of the Graduate Coordinator

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • CRJU 8901 - Dissertation Research I

      Students enrolled in this course will work on their dissertation supervised by a committee of the faculty. This course may be repeated for up to 6 hours of total course credit.

      Prerequisite/Corequisite:
      Prerequisite: Permission of the Graduate Coordinator

      Hours:
      3

      View Course in Catalog

    • Department of Criminal Justice
    • Catalog
    • Cost

    Questions?

    For questions about the program, contact:
    Timothy Hayes, CJ Graduate Coordinator
    crju_grad@ung.edu 

    For questions about the application process, contact:
    Graduate Admissions
    grads@ung.edu 
    706-864-1543

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