Criminal Justice Certification in Kentucky

If you don’t want to wait years before starting your career, you may opt to earn a criminal justice certificate. This diverse education option is ideal for many important criminal justice career paths.

Kentucky’s challenges in criminal justice mean that statewide demand for criminal justice professionals is growing. Kentucky’s prison population is growing at an unsustainable rate, an issue that legislators hope to address by combating unequal sentencing practices between counties (Courier Journal, 2016).

Learn more about criminal justice certificate programs to find out if this is the right educational option for you.

Contact Kentucky schools below for more information.

What Kind of Criminal Justice Certificates are Available in Kentucky?

For many people, a technical certificate is the quickest way to gain useful criminal justice skills and start qualifying for entry-level jobs. Many programs require in-person attendance, group work, and practical experience. However, some schools do permit you to earn your criminal justice certificate online.

If you choose an online program, it’s recommended that you try to get experience at a local criminal justice agency by completing an internship.

Computer Forensics Technical Certificate Requirements 23 credits

• Computer Forensics for Criminal Justice
  • In this introductory course, students learn about the role of computer evidence and investigation in the field of criminal justice.
• Computer Hardware and Software
  • Explore key concepts of computer hardware and software, and how both can contribute evidence to criminal cases.
• Security Fundamentals
  • Learn about maintaining network security and computer security as a way of preserving the integrity of evidence.
• Criminal Investigations
  • This course covers investigative procedures and how computers can make each step of the process easier.

Paralegal Technical Certificate Requirements 39 credits

• Legal Systems and Terminology
  • Delve into the technology used by law firms and the systems utilized to maximize efficiency.
• Legal Research
  • Learn how to access legal journals to conduct research and take clear, usable notes.
• Legal Writing
  • Students learn about the standards used in legal writing and how to create concise documents and case studies.
• Civil Litigation
  • Cover civil litigious procedures and the court process for civil cases.

Emergency Management Technical Certificate Requirements 24 credits

• Disaster Preparedness and Response
  • Find out how you can create emergency plans and execute them in the wake of an emergency situation.
• Mitigation and Disaster Recovery
  • Learn techniques for mitigating threats and risks while recovering victims from disaster sites.
• Disaster Medical Operations
  • This course explores how to run effective medical assistance services after an emergency, including in situations that offer limited access to supplies, electricity, and sterile work areas.
• Emergency Service Resource Management
  • Students in this class learn how to use resources effectively and appropriately after an emergency.

Criminal Justice Technical Certificate Requirements 15 credits

• Criminal Investigations
  • Get an introduction to investigative procedures and how different criminal justice professionals contribute.
• Issues and Ethics in Criminal Justice
  • The content of this course changes each semester to address current issues in this industry.
• Criminal Procedures
  • This course explores the procedures used to detain, question, and try suspects of crimes.
• Criminal Law
  • Students get an introduction to criminal law and find out how it is used in investigation, in the courtroom, and in sentencing.

What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Certificate in Kentucky?

Demand for criminal justice professionals is high across the country, but Kentucky has an even stronger job outlook than many other states. Job openings for police officers are expected to increase 7% through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022). Paralegals may see a 9% boost in demand during this time frame (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Salaries in Kentucky tend to be fairly close to national averages, although your income potential may climb as you gain experience. Police officers bring in an average of $48,170 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).

The average salary for a paralegal is $51,020 annually (BLS, 2022). Forensic science technicians currently earn a mean annual income of $53,280 (BLS, 2022).

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Kentucky contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.

While comparing career paths, consider the work environment of each option. Police officers tend to work erratic schedules that may include overtime, weekends, holidays, and overnights. Your duties may take you into the community, into emergency situations, or on the road.

Paralegals enjoy the comfort of an office work environment, although they may make frequent trips to the courthouse. Hours tend to be fairly steady.

Those employed as forensic science technicians may spend much of their time in a laboratory setting. The hours can be long, since evidence may need to be processed before it decomposes or becomes unstable.

If you’re ready to further your education, Kentucky schools are ready to help you find a program that fits your needs.

Get in touch with Kentucky criminal justice programs today.

Online programs may not be available in all areas