Criminology involves a variety of academic fields, such as sociology, law and psychology, and involves the use of quantitative and other methods to study the origins and effects of crime on society. While getting a Ph.D. in any setting is challenging, doing so online can be even more so. While you'll reap the convenience of going through the program at home, you'll also miss out on the collegial atmosphere, contact with fellow students and the resources college campuses offer. On the other hand, you'll be able to use an academic library through the Internet, order and receive textbooks at home and interact with professors and students virtually.
Many students choose another option: combining on-campus and online learning, as many programs offer physical classes in addition to virtual instruction, allowing for more time at home while still providing the benefits of on-campus study. Before enrolling in any online program, ensure that your computer system is not too outdated and that you have a fast Internet connection.
The popularity of distance education continues to grow, and there are numerous opportunities to pursue a degree online. Currently, there is only one accredited institution that offers an online criminology Ph.D. program: IDP Education Australia, based in Washington, D.C. A better option would be to enroll in an online/on-campus combination program, some of which can be found at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, Northeaster University and Temple University, among many other institutions (see Resources).
You will have to work very hard to earn a criminology Ph.D. online. Many people mistakenly assume that an online program is easier than actually having to show up to a real campus, but this is a misconception. In fact, it's likely that you'll invest more time in online study, since you will have to be very organized, participate in regularly scheduled virtual discussions and classes, and spend time finding resources that are normally easily available on a physical campus. Missing out on brainstorming sessions with fellow students that take place in campus hangouts, centers and libraries can also mean investing more time on your own.
Especially in a field such as criminology, there are many non-accredited programs out there to watch out for. Since there's a plethora of options, you must ensure that the program you ultimately choose is recognized and accredited; otherwise, you will have a hard time explaining to potential employers why your expensive Ph.D. degree is not listed on any of their "approved programs" lists. The field of criminology is relatively small, and any employer worth his salt will know which programs are considered good and which ones are scams and do not provide quality education. Do your research before you commit to spending the next 4 to 6 years of your life pursuing an expensive but useless higher degree.
Getting a criminology Ph.D.--or almost any Ph.D.--online is getting easier, with more and more colleges and universities jumping on the e-learning bandwagon. The software that online learning utilizes continues to improve, offering easier and more intimate interaction between teachers and students. As technology advances, online learning will quickly catch up to traditional means of obtaining higher degrees.