The criminal justice doctorate

Graduates of six institutions were surveyed in an effort to develop a profile of doctoral graduates from institutions that have traditionally offered doctoral programs oriented specifically toward the field of criminal justice. A second research objective was to develop an understanding of the attitudes, frustrations, and utilization patterns of this population. The following six institutions participated: University of California, Berkeley; Sam Houston State University; State University of New York, Albany; Michigan State University; Florida State University; and University of Maryland. A total of 95 completed, usable questionnaires out of 175 possible responses were returned. The majority of graduates (70.5 percent) were employed in the field of education. Of the remainder, 11.6 percent were classified as criminal justice practitioners, those employed by a law enforcement, court, or correctional agency. The most frequent means by which graduates became aware of their present employment positions was through personal contacts in the field (55.3 percent). With regard to self-reported areas of expertise, research, corrections, and education were the most frequently reported areas, while security and policy-community relations were the least frequently reported. Information is presented on income of graduates and past criminal justice experience. The opportunity to use their abilities and knowledge were the highest ranked working conditions. The most frequently mentioned motivators for pursuing their doctorate in criminal justice were subject interest, teaching and research in the university, and job advancement. (Sw).