The anticipated job growth for criminal justice professionals in Kentucky is one reason that many students earn a criminal justice degree.
Some criminal justice fields require that applicants hold a degree or are in the process of completing a criminal justice program.
One example is that a job posting for parole officers in Kentucky indicates that applicants must have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree.
Students who want to start their criminal justice career in Kentucky often begin working immediately after completing a criminal justice program.
Students often continue their education so that they can advance their careers.
These best criminal justice programs in Kentucky offer students the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills that prepare them for a rewarding career in criminal justice.
1 Kentucky State University
About the School
Kentucky State University produced its first graduating class of five students in 1890.
Several name changes over the years led to the current name of the school being selected in 1972.
The school indicates that it puts students first and believes in excellence and innovation.
The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program prepares students to work in a variety of criminal justice settings.
Courses Offered
The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program provides students with the knowledge and skills to start their career or to advance their criminal justice career opportunities.
They also gain the strong foundation that is needed for earning an advanced degree in criminal justice.
Some program courses include Comparative Criminal Justice, Principles of Victimology, Statistics for Criminal Justice, Law Enforcement, and Criminal Justice Ethics.
Students also complete an internship.
Contact Information
- Address: 400 East Main St., Frankfort, KY 40601
- Phone: 502-597-6000
- Website: Visit School Website
2 University of Kentucky
About the School
The University of Kentucky made a 2023 announcement that the College of Social Work will offer criminal justice programs starting the Spring 2024 term.
Undergraduate programs include the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program and the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.
Both programs are offered in the in-person format and online.
Courses Offered
The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at the University of Kentucky provides students with the strong foundation that they need to start working immediately after earning their degree or to continue their studies to earn a graduate degree.
Some program courses include Application of Criminal Justice Theory, Experiential Learning in Criminal Justice, Culturally Relevant Practice in Criminal Justice Settings, Forensic Investigations, and Restorative Justice.
The school also announced that it is offering a Master of Science in Criminal Justice program, starting with the Fall 2024 term.
Contact Information
- Address: 619 Patterson Office Tower, Lexington, KY 40506
- Phone: 859-257-6650
- Website: Visit School Website
3 Eastern Kentucky University
About the School
The College of Justice, Safety, and Military Science got its humble beginnings at Eastern Kentucky University in 1966.
The department evolved, and it is now recognized as a Program of Distinction.
Courses Offered
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at Eastern Kentucky University provides students with critical thinking skills, reasoning skills, and problem-solving skills that students need for a career in criminal justice.
Students gain the technical knowledge and skills that prepare them to work in criminal justice or to continue their studies.
The curriculum includes courses such as Criminological Theory, Research Methods, Criminal Justice Ethics, Organized Crime, and Critical Issues in Criminal Justice.
Some other courses include Drugs, Crime, and Society, Human Trafficking, and Crime and Economy.
Contact Information
- Address: 521 Lancaster Ave., Richmond, KY 40475
- Phone: 859-622-1000
- Website: Visit School Website
4 Kentucky Wesleyan College
About the School
Kentucky Wesleyan College has been serving students since 1858.
The school indicates that student success is their top priority.
Students who enroll in the Online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice complete program requirements in a 100 percent online format.
Courses Offered
The Online Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice program prepares students to become leaders in criminal justice.
The curriculum helps develop critical thinking skills and provides students with an understanding of the influences that affect crime and criminals.
Program courses include Criminal Investigation, Forensic Psychology, Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice, Terrorism and Counterterrorism, and Juvenile Delinquency.
Contact Information
- Address: 3000 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301
- Phone: 800-999-0592
- Website: Visit School Website
5 University of Louisville
About the School
The University of Louisville offers students the option to start their criminal justice career after earning an undergraduate degree on campus or online.
Many students continue their education after earning their Bachelor of Science in Justice Administration/Criminal Justice.
The school offers a Master of Science in Justice Administration/Criminal Justice program and a Doctor of Philosophy in Justice Administration/Criminal Justice program.
Courses Offered
The Bachelor of Science in Justice Administration/Criminal Justice program at the University of Louisville consists of a minimum of 121 credit hours of study.
Students may complete an internship to earn three to six credits.
Courses offered in the undergraduate program include Crime and Justice in the U.S., Criminal Behavior, Criminal Law and Evidence, and Juvenile Justice.
The Master of Science in Justice Administration/Criminal Justice program provides students with the advanced knowledge and skills that they need to work in mid-level to upper-level criminal justice management positions.
The Ph.D. in Justice Administration/Criminal Justice program prepares students to work in academic positions.
Students may also work in research, program development, or evaluation positions.
Contact Information
- Address: 2301 South 3rd St., Louisville, KY 40292
- Phone: 502-852-5555
- Website: Visit School Website
6 Northern Kentucky University
About the School
Northern Kentucky University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program that focuses on the three components of criminal justice.
The components are police, courts, and corrections.
Students complete the program in a traditional or online format.
Courses Offered
The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program provides students with a broad, liberal higher education experience.
Courses in the program include Police in America, The Criminal Court Systems, Legal Research, and White Collar Crime.
Students may complete an internship or the course Readings: Justice Studies.
Contact Information
- Address: 1 Louie B. Nunn Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41099
- Phone: 859-572-5220
- Website: Visit School Website
7 University of Pikeville
About the School
The University of Pikeville opened its doors in 1889, serving 125 students.
The school serves thousands of students today, including students who enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program.
Courses Offered
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program at the University of Pikeville expands on the knowledge and skills that students learned while they were completing courses in the associate degree program.
Many students earn a bachelor’s degree to expand their career opportunities.
The program courses focus on providing students with a solid foundation for working in criminal justice leadership positions or for graduate study.
Program courses include Police Practices and Procedures, and Investigative Functions in Law.
Contact Information
- Address: 147 Sycamore St., Pikeville, KY 41501
- Phone: 606-218-5250
- Website: Visit School Website
8 Hazard Community and Technical College
About the School
Hazard Community and Technical College educates criminal justice students to serve their community and to protect public safety.
The school offers several criminal justice concentrations, in the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program.
Courses Offered
The Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program offers students the opportunity to choose a concentration based on their interests.
The concentration options include Law Enforcement, Corrections, Criminal Justice, and the Security and Loss Prevention track.
Program courses include Criminal Law, Criminal Procedures, Prison and Jail Administration, Liability and Legal Issues, and Introduction to Computer Forensics for Criminal Justice.
The school also offers several criminal justice certificate programs.
Contact Information
- Address: One Community College Drive, Hazard, KY 41701
- Phone: 606-436-4282
- Website: Visit School Website
9 Campbellsville University
About the School
Campbellsville University offers students the convenience of choosing to complete their program at a variety of off-campus locations.
Many students choose to complete their program in the traditional in-person format, while others choose to complete their program requirements online.
Students who enroll in the Associate of Science in Criminal Justice program have these options.
Courses Offered
Complete the simple, straightforward application to Campbellsville University and then enroll in the Associate of Science in Criminal Justice program to work in entry-level criminal justice positions or to continue your criminal justice education.
Some courses in the program include Police Operations and Programs, Court Processes and Procedures, Fundamentals of Homeland Security, and Introduction to Forensics.
Contact Information
- Address: 1 University Drive, Campbellsville, KY 42718
- Phone: 800-264-6014
- Website: Visit School Website
10 University of the Cumberlands
About the School
The University of the Cumberlands provides every student with a success coordinator who ensures each student a personalized and rewarding experience.
Students in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program follow a path that prepares them for a rewarding criminal justice career.
Courses Offered
Students who enroll in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program explore all career options in criminal justice.
They gain the skills and knowledge that are required to work in a variety of criminal justice settings.
Program courses include Society and Criminal Law, Policing, Corrections, Probation and Parole, and Death Investigation.
The school also offers a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice program.
Students complete foreign language requirements, in addition to the criminal justice coursework.
Contact Information
- Address: 6178 College Station Drive, Williamsburg, KY 40769
- Phone: 800-343-1609
- Website: Visit School Website
Schools Summary Table
Criminal Justice Salary Information
One factor that affects the salary that a criminal justice specialist earns is their level of experience.
A person who has 10 years of experience will earn more than a person who is a new graduate of a criminal justice program.
The setting where a person works as a criminal justice professional in Kentucky can also affect salary.
The site salary.com indicates that the average salary for a probation officer who works in Kentucky is $45,347.
A police officer who works in Kentucky earns an average salary of $59,400.
The city where a criminal justice specialist works can also affect salary.
A person who works in criminal justice in Bowling Green earns a median salary of $45,615, while a criminal justice professional who works in Lexington earns a median salary of $47,199.
| Item | Percent |
|---|---|
$53K |
|
$71K |
|
$71K |
Average Salary in Kentucky
| City Name | Salary |
|---|---|
| Lexington | $71,681 |
| Louisville | $72,568 |
| Owensboro | $71,794 |
| Bowling Green | $69,275 |
| Covington | $74,754 |
| Hopkinsville | $68,799 |
| Frankfort | $69,885 |
| Henderson | $72,252 |
| Richmond | $70,980 |
| Arlington | $68,188 |
Regional Salary
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bowling Green, KY | 40 | $93,460 | $44.94 | $155,940 | $38,610 |
| Lexington-Fayette, KY | 80 | $102,260 | $49.16 | $155,940 | $48,010 |
| Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN | 180 | $93,170 | $44.79 | $155,940 | $49,710 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Criminal Justice Schools by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Ensure the program is accredited by relevant bodies such as the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS). I went to University of Cumberlands! Great experience!!
Look for programs that offer specializations or concentrations that align with your career goals. Best of luck everyone.
Aside from what has been said, consider the support provided for job placement, networking, and career advancement as well.