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?
Calendar of Events
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4 events,
Explore our Master of Social Work (MSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is below, under 'Website' The UK Difference Our MSW program is an Advanced Generalist program […]
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On Monday, December 1, from 4-5pm EST, the College of Social Work is hosting Nicole Hockley, the co-founder and CEO of the Sandy Hook Promise Foundation. Ms. Hockley chose to […]
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CORE TEEN (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Session 1 Introduction and Understanding the Impact of Trauma on Youth in Foster Care December 1st, 2025 5:00 PM-7:00 PM EST Via Zoom […]
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Blended Families: Parenting Children When They Don’t Get Along assists caregivers with identifying issues that children may experience that are unique to blended families. It offers strategies to create a […] |
2 events,
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a […] 
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you […]
Free
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5 events,
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a […]
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Holiday Meltdowns: Connecting through the Chaos with Your Foster Child December 3, 2025 11:30 AM-1:00 PM EST Via Zoom Lora Buth, MS, OT/L 1.5 credit hours This training will assist […] 
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 […]
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Grief in the Holidays: Navigating the Holiday Season after Loss November 24, 2025 6:00 PM-7:30 PM EST Via Zoom Emily Johnson, MS, LMFT 1.5 credit hours This training explores the […] |
4 events,
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a […]
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CORE TEEN (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Session 2 Parenting Youth Who Have Experienced Trauma December 4th, 2025 5:00 PM-7:00 PM EST Via Zoom Melanie Parsons, M.A. 2 credit hours […]
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Helping Foster & Adopted Children Cope with Holiday Stress is designed to assist foster and adoptive parents in learning and understanding how stressful holidays can be for foster/adopted children. It […]
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Creating Memories & Meaningful Family Traditions for Blended Families will inform parents of triggers children in their home may have and what they can do as parents to help create […] |
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“Parenting with PRIDE: The Power of Positivity” is designed for foster and adoptive families, emphasizing the principles of Positive Parenting to create a nurturing, supportive environment. This training covers strategies […] |
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4 events,
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CORE TEEN (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Session 3 Developing & Sustaining a Healthy & Supportive Relationship with Your Youth December 8th, 2025 5:00 PM –7:00 PM EST Via Zoom […]
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Healthy Boundaries: Strategies for Answering Tough Questions helps foster and adoptive parents understand the importance of setting boundaries in their lives. It explains the different types of boundaries (Physical and […]
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Understanding and Coping with Sensory Processing Challenges provides parents with tools to engage and work with children who display sensory processing challenges. Parents will learn what Sensory Processing Disorder is […]
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Child Development 0-5 explores the typical milestones, or skills, that children develop from birth through age 5. It offers resources that caregivers can utilize to determine if a developmental screening […] |
6 events,
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a […]
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you […]
Free
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is at the end of the event listing, under 'Website'. […]
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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 as LGBTQ+. The […] 
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 […] |
3 events,
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 […] 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 […]
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Understanding the Brain and Fear Responses in Traumatized Children provides an overview of brain development and how fight/flight/freeze fear responses may manifest in children who have experienced trauma. In addition, […] |
2 events,
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CORE TEEN (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Session 4 Nurturing Youth’s Cultural / Racial / Ethnic Needs and Sexual Orientation / Gender Identity December 11, 2025 5:00 PM – 7:00 […]
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Learning to Communicate: Developing Social Skills will equip parents to understand the process of communicating with children, teaching children to communicate with adults and peers, and developing interpersonal social skills. […] |
2 events,
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a […]
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Strategies to Remain Positive When Adopting describes common behaviors that the child(ren) may exhibit as well as feelings adoptive parents may have during the adoption process, including grief and post-adoption […] |
2 events,
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Helping Your Child to Succeed in School will increase the ability of foster/adoptive parents to understand educational challenges faced by foster/adopted children. It will give resource parents the tools for […]
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Creating Memories & Meaningful Family Traditions for Blended Families will inform parents of triggers children in their home may have and what they can do as parents to help create […] |
1 event,
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Join our comprehensive training designed specifically for foster and adoptive parents to equip them with the knowledge and skills needed to effectively support children affected by Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorders […] |
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4 events,
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Postponed
KIN-VIP: Grandparents Connection
Postponed
KIN-VIP: Grandparents Connection
Grandparent’s Connection is a supportive gathering created just for grandparents raising grandchildren. This group offers a welcoming space to share experiences, find encouragement, and connect with others who understand the joys […]
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CORE TEEN (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Session 5 Understanding and Managing Youth’s Challenging Behaviors – Part 1 December 15th, 2025 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST Via Zoom Melanie […]
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Helping Your Child Make Healthy & Positive Choices: Talking to Teens & Preteens will teach foster and adoptive parents the importance of open and ongoing dialogue with their preteen or […]
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Building Positive Relationships with Case Workers & Community Partners provides foster parents the information and tools needed to establish a positive working relationship with their caseworker and child’s caseworker, with […] |
6 events,
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a […]
The Gathering Spot is a great NEW way to meet other kinship caregivers from the comfort of your own home and has been redesigned to be a spot where you […]
Free
Turn Your Goals into Reality Explore our Doctorate of Social Work (DSW) program during an online info session. Registration link is at the end of the event listing, under 'Website'. […]
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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 […] |
4 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 […]
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Are you an aunt, uncle, cousin, sister, or brother raising a relative? You’re not alone—and you don’t have to navigate this journey by yourself. Raising children as a relative (other […]
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Preventing Child Abuse: Types, Signs & Symptoms will inform parents of the definition of child abuse and ways it can be prevented. It provides descriptions and statistics of different types […]
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Connecting with Your Child While Correcting Behavior introduces parents to strategies to use to help them feel connected to children while correcting difficult behaviors. Parents will learn how to connect […] |
4 events,
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Join The holiday season is often painted as a time of joy, celebration, and togetherness—but for kinship caregivers, it can also bring stress, emotional triggers, and the pressure of trying […]
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CORE TEEN (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Session 6 Understanding and Managing Youth’s Challenging Behaviors – Part 2 December 18th, 2025 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EST Via Zoom Melanie […]
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Postponed
KIN-VIP: Rising While Raising Wellness
Postponed
KIN-VIP: Rising While Raising Wellness
Rising While Raising Wellness is a supportive community for kinship caregivers who are balancing the demands of raising children with the need to care for themselves. This weekly one-hour session creates […]
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Strategies for Parenting Teens will provide an overview of adolescent development and common questions and challenges presented by youth who are in foster care or were adopted. This training will […] |
1 event,
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a […] |
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1 event,
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Transracial Parenting: Ages 5-12 explores the unique experiences of transracial families and examines developmental stages of racial identity development in elementary and middle school-aged children. It offers strategies to create an […] |
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1 event,
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CORE TEEN (Critical On-going Resource Family Education) Session 7 A New Suitcase of Parenting Knowledge and Skills December 22, 2025 5:00 PM-7:00 PM EST Via Zoom Melanie Parsons, M.A. 2 […] |
0 events,
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1 event,
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a […] |
0 events,
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1 event,
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a […] |
0 events,
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0 events,
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0 events,
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1 event,
Citizen Review Panels (CRPs) are groups of caring volunteers that work to improve the well-being of children, families, and communities across Kentucky. To learn more about CRPs or join a […] |
0 events,
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