Department of Criminal Justice

What is Criminal Justice?

As one of the nation's oldest criminal justice programs, the University of Louisville Department of Criminal Justice is fueled by a single mission: partnering for justice — educating, researching and innovating for community impact. Our award-winning faculty and dedicated staff prepare students not just for careers, but for lives of purpose and impact across the justice system. We offer a Bachelor of Science, Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice, available both on campus and online.

Our curriculum builds a strong foundation for criminal justice careers through rigorous core courses while addressing today's most pressing justice issues through innovative electives. Since 2012, our doctoral program has been developing the next generation of scholars who lead with excellence in teaching, research and service. Students also connect through Lambda Alpha Epsilon and Alpha Phi Sigma — organizations that foster academic excellence, professional preparation and community.

The department is also home to the Southern Police Institute, a nationally respected leader in law enforcement education since 1951. Through programs like the Administrative Officers Course and continuing education in homicide investigation, intelligence-led policing and media management, SPI reflects our commitment to real-world impact. Together, we are educators, researchers, practitioners and partners — working every day to advance justice and strengthen communities.

Career Prospects

Where Justice Becomes Your Life's Mission

A Criminal Justice degree gives you more than knowledge of law, policy and the justice system — it gives you the analytical, ethical and investigative foundation for careers that protect communities, advance equity and shape how society responds to harm. From frontline law enforcement to legal advocacy, forensic science, social services and cybersecurity, the field is broader and more dynamic than most students expect.

Criminal Justice graduates are in demand across law enforcement, government, courts, corrections, public health, nonprofit advocacy, social services and emerging fields at the intersection of technology and public safety. The skills you build here — evidence-based thinking, ethical reasoning, research methodology and policy analysis — transfer across all of them.

You'll graduate with real-world experience through internships with agencies including the U.S. Secret Service, Kentucky State Police and Louisville Metro Police Department and the option to accelerate into law school through our distinctive 3+3 program. Our graduates turn their commitment to justice into careers that protect the vulnerable, reform broken systems and build safer communities.

Explore Career Pathways in Criminal Justice