Criminal Justice: Northern Kentucky University, Greater Cincinnati Region

Program Type: Undergraduate

Degree Awarded: B.A. in Criminal Justice _{Select the degree to view its requirements and four-year plan.}

Department: Political Science, Criminal Justice & Organizational Leadership

Our Criminal Justice Program focuses on the three pillars of the criminal justice system: police, courts and corrections. Its core courses provide foundational knowledge on relevant institutions and processes, as well as criminal law, social science research methods, and theories of crime and punishment.

Rather than training students for specific occupations, our program offers a broad, liberal education built around analytical and creative thought. With this approach, our graduates’ career opportunities are less limited and the prospects for professional advancement are enhanced.

The Program offers a Bachelor’s of Arts degree, a criminal justice minor and a criminalistics minor. Also available in an online version.

Program Contacts

Dr. Alexis Miller
Associate Professor,
Criminal Justice Coordinator
859-572-1320
millera11@nku.edu

Students in the Spotlight

Brittney Taylor

Graduating Year: 2020

Education: BA in Criminal Justice, minor in Organizational Leadership, Master of Public Administration

Career: Juvenile Justice Professional

“The Criminal Justice Program at NKU is an amazing program that provides a critical learning experience for the students involved, through the provided courses, projects, and presentations. If you are interested in earning a degree in criminal Justice, NKU is a great place to do that.”

What they do: Regional Supervisor for the Court Designated Worker Program within the Kentucky Administrative Office of the Courts, Family and Juvenile Services

Necessary job skills: Communication skills, patience, teamwork, self-motivation, be able to lead, and the compassion to work with youth

Career path: Started as a youth worker supervisor within the Department of Juvenile Justice, obtained bachelor's degree and moved on to current position, recently obtained Master in Public Administration, career goal is to start a non-profit community center for youth in the NKY area.

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Find Your Passions & Build Your Future

Co-curricular Opportunities: You can engage with faculty and fellow students through our Mock Trial Team, the Alpha Phi Sigma honor society, and the Lambda Alpha Epsilon professional organization. Students can also participate in one of our study abroad programs in England and Scotland to learn about how the organization and correctional outcomes in other countries differ from the United States
Internships: There are numerous internship opportunities in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati area the Hamilton County Juvenile Court, Ohio Innocence Project, Kentucky Legislative Research Commission, Intercommunity Justice and Peace Center, and local law firms. Other students engage in internships more focused on law enforcement with private investigation firms, local, state, or federal police, probation and parole agencies, or state crime labs.
Career Explorations: Our students explore careers in and out of the classroom. You’ll do everything from hearing from working professionals in various careers to participating in experiential learning through the Mayerson Student Philanthropy Project, where you decide which local social justice nonprofits receive funding and connect what you are learning in the classroom with what is occurring in the community.

KEEP EXPLORING. VISIT THE DEPARTMENT WEBSITE.