Criminal Justice Schools in Kentucky

The criminal justice programs at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) include a bachelor of science in criminal justice or a master of science in criminal justice. By attending Eastern Kentucky, criminal justice majors can choose to specialize in the following areas of expertise: drug control, police liability, ethics, administration and management, organized crime, white-collar crime, property crime, international criminal justice and media and criminal justice. Career options for students include law enforcement, crime policy analyst, family service counselor, corrections and juvenile/youth care worker. EKU students have also done internships and co-op experiences with the FBI, Department of Justice and the Drug Enforcement Administration, to name a few.

Campbellsville University in Somerset, Kentucky, offers students a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice administration. It is a blended program (online and at the Larry and Beverly Noe Somerset Education Center) on an accelerated timeline, where classes meet two weekday nights for four-hour sessions. Financial aid programs are available for students, including those transferring from Somerset Community College. Upon graduation, students should be eligible for career options as a bailiff, legal specialist, paralegal, court reporter, or similar careers within criminal justice. If students wish to continue on to earn a graduate degree, they may qualify for careers as a prosecutor, criminal defense attorney or private investigator after graduating.

The University of Louisville in Kentucky offers students both undergraduate and graduate degrees in criminal justice. In addition, the University also offers online programs in criminal justice for both undergraduate and degree programs. Students can apply for the J. Allen Lamb and Edward S. Pocock Foundation Criminal Justice Scholarship, along with other financial aid options. In addition, students can also get involved with campus activities including becoming a member of Lambda Alpha Epsilon or Alpha Phi Sigma, which are criminal justice honor societies. The Southern Police Institute is a division within the department, which gives students opportunities for hands-on learning.

Northern Kentucky University offers both a Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice and offers courses focused on the three major aspects of the criminal justice system: police, courts and corrections. In addition, students can choose to pursue a minor in criminalistics and is designed for students who are majoring in biology or chemistry and want to take the forensic track. Along with traditional classroom learning, Northern Kentucky University also offers students the ability to take courses completely online. The programs will prepare students for careers in politics and government, law enforcement, public administration, foreign service or international business.

Students who enroll at Thomas More College will enjoy smaller class sizes, personalized attention, internship opportunities and many resources for student activities. The College offers two programs in the criminal justice field: a bachelor of arts in criminal justice (typically consists of 36 credit hours) or an associate of arts in criminal justice (typically consists of 18 credit hours). Occupation opportunities include youth counselor, police officer, attorney, parole officer, correctional counselor, U.S. Deputy Marshal, private investigator, court administrator, wildlife enforcement officer, IRS fraud investigator, etc. Some of the career options may require further training, work experience and education.