ITA. The WSU Ph.D. program in Criminology and Criminal Justice focuses on theory and public policy issues, not nitty gritty details of how criminals seek to avoid detection. Here's the overall description from the program website:
DEPARTMENT OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE AND CRIMINOLOGY
Graduate Studies
"The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology offers both a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy, in Criminal Justice and Criminology.
The graduate program in Criminal Justice and Criminology aims to prepare students to face and address security and justice challenges at the local, national, and international levels. This goal is achieved through the development of theoretical, methodological, and policy-related knowledge and skills as they pertain to criminal justice and criminology.
Graduate Programs Objectives.
Specifically, students in the graduate program in Criminal Justice and Criminology will understand and be able to conceptualize, analyze, and theorize the changing nature of crime, order, security, and justice issues in the current societal environment of the USA and the world. They will acquire the cultural, methodological, and analytical skills needed to interpret available information related to security and justice issues.These objectives will be expressed differently at each level of the program.
Both degrees offer students a complete overview of the criminal justice system, Criminological Theory, and methods of analysis. The department is large enough to offer the range of specializations necessary for a flexible graduate program, yet small enough to retain a sense of community among students and faculty.
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) of Criminal Justice and Criminology
Graduates of the Ph.D. program are active scholars and teachers working at a variety of universities across the country. Our recent graduates are on the faculty at Arizona State University, Boise State University, Sam Houston State University, California State University Sacramento and San Bernardino, Michigan State University, Southeast Missouri State University, Arkansas State University, Weber State University, Western Oregon University, University of Texas at Dallas, and the University of Nevada–Reno.
Ph.D. Learning Outcomes
Disciplinary Proficiency: Students will be generally knowledgeable across the entire field
of criminal justice and criminology;
Diversity Knowledge: Students will understand how history, structures of power and privilege, and cultural, social, and economic forces affect criminal justice and criminological outcomes.
Methodological Competence: Students will be competent in the full range research methods and analytical techniques used in the field of criminal justice and criminology.
Specialized Expertise: Students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the published scholarship and contemporary research methods in a specific, defined area of study within the field of criminal justice and criminology.
Proficient Communication: Students will become proficient communicators in terms of research and pedagogy according to professional standards in both written and oral formats."
Bolded & Enlarged by me. Does anyone know what "specific, defined area of study within the field of criminal justice and criminology" BK chose as his specialized area of expertise? Seems worth knowing, if we can overcome the student privacy issues.