To apply, submit Temple’s online graduate application along with an application fee of $60.
Applicants must have completed their bachelor’s degree. A degree in a related field is preferred; however, all applications will be considered.
Candidates will be asked to submit the following along with their application.
Number required: 3
From whom: Ideally, the letters should be obtained from college/university faculty members familiar with the applicant's academic competence. Letters from employers and other non-academic assessors are accepted but generally carry far less weight.
A master’s degree is not required.
A baccalaureate degree in criminology/criminal justice, geography, history, law, political science, social work, sociology or a related field is required.
In approximately 500 to 1,000 words, discuss your specific interest in Temple’s program, research goals and how they relate to Temple’s program, future career goals, and academic and research achievements.
GRE: Optional. Scores may be submitted if available.
Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:
Current academic CV or professional résumé required.
The writing sample should demonstrate your ability to research and write a scholarly paper. The paper should not be too lengthy (up to 10 pages is preferable) and should be fully referenced according to a professional, scholarly style manual. Although it need not be related directly to criminal justice, it should reflect your ability to prepare a social science paper.
Graduate coursework taken as part of a master’s degree program at an accredited institution prior to matriculation at Temple may be accepted for advanced standing credit, provided the coursework is relevant to the PhD in criminal justice. To request advanced standing, the applicant must provide an official transcript from their prior graduate institution to the Graduate Chair that clearly states “MA awarded” and the date of its awarding. The Graduate Committee reviews the request.
Only grades of “B” or better are accepted. If the request is granted, the student receives advanced standing and is awarded a maximum of 15 credits. Students with transferred credits should expect that they will have to complete much of the required coursework in residence to ensure that they are adequately prepared to take their PhD comprehensive exams.
Electronic transcripts should be sent to Joseph DelMastro, senior administrator in the Criminal Justice Department.
Email: [click-for-email]
Original transcripts can be mailed to the following address.
Temple University College of Liberal Arts
Dept. of Criminal Justice
522 Gladfelter Hall
1115 W. Polett Walk
Philadelphia, PA 19122-6089
For applicants whose native language is not English, the TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores are required. The minimum scores for these tests are as follows.
Applications are evaluated from the end of October until the deadline. Late applications may be considered for admission.
