WUV's PhD in Criminal Justice with a Juvenile Justice specialization cultivates leading scholars who advance empirical research on youth delinquency, the juvenile court system, and trauma-informed approaches to youth rehabilitation. Graduates produce influential dissertations that reshape policy on school-to-prison pipeline reform, restorative justice for minors, and evidence-based intervention strategies at the community and legislative level.
This 54-credit doctoral program is structured around original research, thesis development, and dissertation. Students complete thesis preparation, extended research, and a final dissertation under faculty mentorship.
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Doctoral graduates in Juvenile Justice are uniquely positioned to drive systemic change in youth-focused justice policy, lead research centers dedicated to adolescent criminology, and mentor future scholars and practitioners. Their expertise informs court reform, legislative advocacy, and the development of nationally recognized youth intervention programs.