LEXINGTON, Ky. (June 24, 2026) — The University of Kentucky’s criminal justice program is expanding academic opportunities for students through the launch of a new Undergraduate Certificate in Victimology.
The 12-credit-hour certificate is designed to prepare students for careers supporting victims and survivors of crime. Offered through the UK College of Social Work (CoSW), the certificate provides students with specialized knowledge of crime victimization, victim experiences and victim services within the criminal justice system. The program draws on interdisciplinary perspectives from victimology, criminal justice, and social work to examine the social, legal and structural contexts that shape victimization and societal responses to harm.
“The victimology certificate gives students an opportunity to better understand the experiences of victims and survivors, both as they engage the criminal justice system and other services intended to support them in navigating the harm they have suffered,” said Victoria Collins, Ph.D., executive director and chair of the criminal justice programs. “This certificate is instrumental programming for students wanting to work in justice related careers, who will either directly or indirectly work with, and contribute to, victims’ experiences with crime, trauma, and recovery. It provides students with the knowledge to better understand individual and societal reactions to victimization, as well as support them in overcoming challenges that accompany being a victim of a crime.”
Students pursuing the certificate will complete two required courses and two approved electives. Required courses include crime victimization, offered online and in person in fall 2026, and understanding the impact of trauma, offered online in fall 2026.
The victimology certificate is especially relevant for students interested in careers in criminal justice, victim advocacy, social work, law enforcement, corrections, public policy, nonprofit services, legal systems and trauma-informed care. It is open to currently enrolled undergraduate students at UK who have not earned a bachelor’s degree. Current UK students interested in adding the certificate should discuss the option with their academic advisor to determine how it may fit within their plan of study.
This certificate is the latest example of continued growth within the college’s criminal justice programs. In the fall of 2025, the CoSW launched its Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, and 100% online Master of Science in Criminal Justice. Since then, Collins has supported CoSW in expanding the program’s academic reach through faculty expertise, hands-on learning opportunities and new partnerships.
Recent initiatives include campus experiences such as crime scene investigation programming and the Reentry Photovoice Experience, as well as increased college representation at international conferences.
More information about the victimology certificate, including course requirements and application details, are available through UK Online.