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Ex-Offenders and Educational Equal Access: Doctoral Programs in Criminology and Criminal Justice

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Abstract

Utilizing data from university websites, this exploratory study examined criminology and criminal justice doctoral program admission requirements, while focusing on identifying barriers and challenges unique to applicants with criminal records. Findings reveal that all doctoral programs in criminology and criminal justice expect applicants to complete the GRE, submit recommendation letters, and provide personal statements. The majority of programs also specify minimum grade point averages necessary for admission, while just over one-half request academic writing samples. Further, data show that many academic institutions housing criminology and criminal justice doctoral programs make deliberate efforts to identify ex-offender applicants, particularly sex offenders. Limitations and directions for future research concerning equal and equitable educational access for ex-offenders are discussed.

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Notes

  1. The references throughout this paper to “criminology and criminal justice” refer only to academic departments specifically focused on these disciplines. It is acknowledged that criminology as a social science developed as, and in many institutions remains, a component of sociology. However, in this discussion, the concerns are exclusive to the disciplines as stand-alone departments and areas of inquiry.

  2. This is based on evidence gathered from correspondence with 16 doctoral program directors, which represents 44% of the criminology and criminal justice doctoral programs in this study. The remaining program directors (n = 20) did not respond to the inquiry.

  3. Arizona State University and University of Arkansas at Little Rock asked for only 2 recommendation letters.

  4. Moreover, University of Indiana at Bloomington’s Graduate Admissions Application asked whether or not applicants had ever “engaged in behavior that resulted in injury to person(s) or personal property.”

  5. “Sex offenses” eligible for placement on campus-based registries reflect the same offenses leading to listing on state and national sex offender registries. Although some variation exists across jurisdictions, this record of registration-requiring offenses encompasses all offenses statutorily defined as having a sexual component or motivation.

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  1. Department of Justice Administration, University of Louisville, Louisville, KY, 40292, USA

    David Patrick Connor & Richard Tewksbury

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  1. David Patrick Connor
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Correspondence to Richard Tewksbury.

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Connor, D.P., Tewksbury, R. Ex-Offenders and Educational Equal Access: Doctoral Programs in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Crit Crim 20, 327–340 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10612-011-9142-z

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