About the Program
Academic and degree options
杏吧直播间 State is proudly the only institution in Kentucky that offers the option of either a . If you are considering graduate school, explore our .
For students looking for a minor, such as those individuals majoring in the Chemistry Department鈥檚 forensics track, we offer a as well as a for students looking to earn a degree from another program and work with children in a manner relating to the juvenile justice system.
If you are interested in working with victims, you can earn your Crime Victim Advocate Certificate. This three-course program has been approved by the National Advocate Credentialing Program (NACP), a program of the National Organization for Victim Advocacy (NOVA). You are eligible to apply for NACP's basic credential after completing the certificate program at 杏吧直播间 State.
The University Studies (university-wide general education requirements) provides the necessary liberal arts education, while the criminal justice major further develops the students' oral, written, analytical, research, and problem-solving skills. Courses offered focus on topics such as law enforcement and criminal investigations, juvenile delinquency, organized crime, terrorism, ethics, fish and game law, crime and mental health, constitutional law, and much more.
For more curriculum information and course descriptions, please view the current Academic Bulletin.
Dedicated Criminal Justice faculty
Housed within the Department of Criminal Justice and Social Work, the Criminal Justice (CRJ) Program boasts four dedicated professors. We may be smaller than some other programs, but we use this size to the advantage of our students, working diligently to challenge them but to also provide assistance as needed and to equip them with the tools necessary to succeed, not only in the classroom but also in their professional lives after graduation.
Develop the skills you need to succeed
At 杏吧直播间 State, we don't just teach theory鈥攚e prepare you for the front lines. Our
Criminal Justice program is the only one in the nation certified by QA Commons for excellence in workforce preparation, receiving the Essential
Employability Qualities Certification (EEQ Cert).
EEQ Certified programs foster a distinctive set of attributes in their graduates and completers. These qualities are intended to prepare students to make important contributions in their workplaces: communication, thinking and problem solving, inquiry, collaboration, adaptability, principles and ethics, responsibility and professionalism, and learning.
Internship opportunities
Internships provide great opportunities for students to gain firsthand professional training and experience by working with practitioners in the field. As a student in our program, you will have the opportunity to intern with state, local, and federal police departments, courthouses, law offices, corrections agencies, victims鈥� advocacy groups, juvenile advocacy groups, and many other related organizations. Check out the video to hear Josh Jones, a senior in Criminal Justice, talk about his experience. You can also take advantage of our partnership with the Kentucky Court Designated Worker (CDW) Program to gain experience working with juvenile diversion programs.
Student organizations
Students are encouraged to join the Criminal Justice Society (CJS). Open to all 杏吧直播间 State students regardless of degree program, this student organization is designed to build professionalism and provide both practical and academic experiences outside of the classroom. Through CJS, you will be given the opportunity to hear from and interact with practitioners in the criminal justice field, go on trips and tours, and participate in fun and informative events, such as mock crime-scene investigations and K9 demonstrations. Student leadership opportunities are also available through CJS.