MSCJ Program
Advance Your Career in Criminal Justice
The Master of Science (MS) in Criminal Justice at the University of Kentucky is a 30-credit hour graduate program offered in a fully online, asynchronous format, providing the flexibility to balance graduate study with your career and personal commitments.
This program is designed for both current criminal justice professionals seeking leadership roles and individuals aiming to transition into a justice-oriented career. With a curriculum that integrates theory, policy, and research, you’ll gain advanced knowledge and skills to address complex challenges facing today’s justice systems.
About the Program
The MSCJ program emphasizes the intersection of theory and practice, cultivating critical and analytical thinking to prepare graduates for leadership and administrative roles across the justice system. Courses explore:
The integration of theory, policy, and research into criminal justice practice.
The social, economic, political, and historical contexts that shape justice systems locally, nationally, and globally.
The application of strategic thinking, problem-solving, and evidence-based practices to real-world challenges.
UK’s program is distinctive in its focus on:
Strengthening communication and decision-making skills for professional leadership.
Developing strategic and analytical approaches to evaluating criminal justice systems.
Preparing graduates with practical, job-ready skills for advancement in the field.
Who Is This Program For?
The MSCJ is ideal for individuals who want to deepen their understanding of justice systems and step into leadership roles. Students often have backgrounds in:
Criminal Justice
Sociology
Political Science
Legal Studies
Public Policy or related fields
Graduates are prepared for careers in law enforcement, corrections, probation and parole, prosecution, policy analysis, research, nonprofit or victim advocacy, re-entry, and federal, state, or local agencies.
What You’ll Learn
By the completion of the MSCJ program, students will be able to:
Apply theoretical and practical frameworks to criminal justice practice.
Recognize how theories, policies, and scientific inquiry impact services and outcomes.
Identify and address systemic barriers and challenges in criminal justice systems.
Critically examine and apply leadership theories and skills in managing justice organizations.
Employ research-driven, evidence-based solutions to contemporary justice challenges.
THE UK DIFFERENCE
Learn Anywhere, Any time
The MSCJ program is offered fully online, allowing flexible MSCJ completion from anywhere. Online students have access to the same support and services as on campus students.
Exceptional Academic Support
All MSCJ Advisors have a certificate of appreciative advising, which means that they are well-equipped to help you optimize your educational experiences and achieve your goals for your career in Criminal Justice.
Centers and Labs
CoSW is home to several unique research centers and labs, including the Training Resource Center, Interdisciplinary Research Center on Children and Families, Kentucky Kinship Resource Center, Self-Care Lab, Suicide Prevention and Exposure Lab, and Military Behavior Health Lab. Students can leverage these entities for unique learning and research opportunities.
Multiple Certificate Options
MSW students have the option to earn specialized certificates in Clinical Social Work, Child Welfare, Military Behavioral Health, Rural Population Wellbeing, and Substance Use Disorder, to name a few.
MSW Program
by the numbers
#1
KY Rank for Graduate licensing Pass Rates
1K+
Student Field Placement Options
97%
Student who receive some type of aid
Criminal Justice
Info Sessions
WHAT'S NEW AT CoSW?
Events
Calendar of Events
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Monthly Staff Meeting for Centers & Labs Training Resource Center Staff. The meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of Each Month at the Training Resource Center. This is an in-person […] 
Launch your social work career through your practicum experience—formerly known as field education. Attend an information session to learn about the process, opportunities, and support available as you prepare for […] 
Criminal Justice students are invited to attend our informal monthly meeting. This is a great opportunity to connect with other students, ask questions to your advisor, and meet with program […] |
1 event,
The College of Social Work invites you to a powerful and immersive event exploring the lived experiences of individuals navigating reentry after incarceration. The program will begin with a photo […] |
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You are invited to join the Office of Faculty Advancement in Connect & Accomplish: Online Co-working Sessions These dedicated 2-hour blocks are back this semester, offering weekly opportunities at the […] |
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2 events,
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This course offers an exploration of the distinctive and complex grieving experience inherent in foster care and adoption, providing participants with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and emotions associated […]
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ARC Meetings & IEPs: The Basics will help foster and adoptive parents understand the process of an ARC Meeting and gain a better perspective of what an IEP will look […] |
1 event,
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You are invited to join the Office of Faculty Advancement in Connect & Accomplish: Online Co-working Sessions These dedicated 2-hour blocks are back this semester, offering weekly opportunities at the […] |
5 events,
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Monthly Staff Meeting for Centers & Labs Training Resource Center Staff. The meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of Each Month at the Training Resource Center. This is an in-person […] 
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is below. The UK Difference Our Doctorate of Social Work […] 
Social Work students are invited to attend our informal monthly meeting. This is a great opportunity to connect with other students, ask questions to your advisor, and meet with program […]
Launch your social work career through your practicum experience—formerly known as field education. Attend an information session to learn about the process, opportunities, and support available as you prepare for […]
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New Placements: Preparing & Adjusting Family Roles will help foster and adoptive parents introduce new placements into their existing family units. It gives ideas and strategies on how to prepare […] |
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Hybrid Event
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Hybrid Event
The Sport Social Work Research Lab is hosting a Lunch & Learn: Advancing Youth Sport Quality and Access Through LiFEsports. The Lunch & Learn will be led by Dr. Dawn […] |
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Healing After a Foster Child Leaves Your Home will equip foster parents understand, cope with and heal from the unique pain of a foster child leaving their home. It offers […] |
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First Steps: Kentucky’s Early Intervention System explores the services provided by this program. Participants learn how to refer children ages zero to three who have developmental delays, or medical conditions […]
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The Internet Safety training explores questions caregivers often have related to internet safety. It examines recommended guidelines for internet access and usage among children. It provides resources related to parental […] |
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Positive Discipline for Teenagers will provide foster/Adoptive Parents with effective tools that will guide them to positive discipline and communication with teenagers that are in their care/home. It discusses the […] |
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Developmental Stages & Children’s Responses to Grief defines grief and explores how children process and express grief at different developmental stages. It offers insight into the unique experiences of grief […] |
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Trust-Based Relational Intervention– Empowering Principles: Psychological Strategies April 14, 2026 5:30 PM-7:30 PM EST Via Zoom R. Alex Colston, LMFT 2 credit hours This training is part of the TBRI® […]
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ASK-VIP LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Groups are specifically designed for foster/adoptive parents who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as foster/adoptive parents who are caring for children or teens who identify […] 
This group is an opportunity for kinship caregivers to come together to find support, community, and resources in the care of relative and fictive children. This group will focus on […] |
5 events,
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Clinical supervision is a crucial aspect of social work practice that ensures ethical and competent service delivery. The goals of clinical supervision are to improve the quality of services provided […]
$120
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Monthly Staff Meeting for Centers & Labs Training Resource Center Staff. The meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of Each Month at the Training Resource Center. This is an in-person […] 
Explore our Master of Social Work (MSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is below. The UK Difference Our MSW program is an Advanced Generalist program that prepares […]
Launch your social work career through your practicum experience—formerly known as field education. Attend an information session to learn about the process, opportunities, and support available as you prepare for […]
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Get ready for an evening full of energy, good vibes, and fun from around the world. Join the Sport Social Work Research Lab on April 15 for games, sports, live […] |
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You are invited to join the Office of Faculty Advancement in Connect & Accomplish: Online Co-working Sessions These dedicated 2-hour blocks are back this semester, offering weekly opportunities at the […] |
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1 event,
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ASK-VIP Support Groups are expressly designed to meet the needs of foster and adoptive parents in an inclusive, safe, and compassionate environment. They are led by seasoned facilitators who have […] |
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2 events,
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Monthly Staff Meeting for Centers & Labs Training Resource Center Staff. The meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of Each Month at the Training Resource Center. This is an in-person […]
Launch your career through your practicum education! Attend an information session to learn about the process, opportunities, and support available as you explore hands-on learning in real-world settings. The UK College of […] |
4 events,
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You are invited to join the Office of Faculty Advancement in Connect & Accomplish: Online Co-working Sessions These dedicated 2-hour blocks are back this semester, offering weekly opportunities at the […]
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Building a foundation to help autistic children feel safe, supported, and connected. Caring for an autistic child or adolescent may bring questions and challenges that kinship caregivers do not always […] 
Please join us as we discuss the Master of Science in Criminal Justice program! This info session will be held virtually over Zoom. Please register below and select the appropriate […]
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Supervision is one of the most effective ways to improve clinical practice and organizational outcomes, yet it is often underutilized as a space for reflection, accountability, and implementation support. This […]
$30
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ASK-VIP Support Group for Foster/Adoptive Parents of Teens is specifically designed for foster/adoptive parents who are caring for teenagers or those considering fostering and/or adopting teenagers. This support group offers […] |
1 event,
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ASK-VIP LGBTQ+ Foster/Adoptive Parent Support Groups are specifically designed for foster/adoptive parents who identify as LGBTQ+ as well as foster/adoptive parents who are caring for children or teens who identify […] |
2 events,
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You are invited to join the Office of Faculty Advancement in Connect & Accomplish: Online Co-working Sessions These dedicated 2-hour blocks are back this semester, offering weekly opportunities at the […]
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Monthly Staff Meeting for Centers & Labs Training Resource Center Staff. The meeting is held the 3rd Wednesday of Each Month at the Training Resource Center. This is an in-person […] |
3 events,
Are You Wildly Passionate About Social Work? Explore the Bachelor of Arts in Social Work (BASW) program during an online info session. REGISTER HERE The UK Difference Graduates from our […]
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This 90-minute session will assist therapists in how to recognize attachment disruptions shape regulation and relationship patterns in families. Participants will learn core principles from current attachment and adoption‑informed treatment […]
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Pursue your Passion for the Greater Good Explore College of Social Work’s newest Criminal Justice program during our online info session! REGISTER HERE The UK Difference Graduates from our […] |
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