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.