PhD in Criminal Justice Programs in Kentucky

A recent change in Kentucky’s budget indicates the growing importance of equality and fairness in criminal justice. The state boosted the amount of money allocated to employment of public defenders, promoting an equal playing field in the courtroom (WFPL, 2016).

What Can I Do With My PhD in Criminal Justice in Kentucky?

Even bigger changes are taking place throughout the state. A growing number of advocates and researchers are calling for abolition of the death penalty in Kentucky, a move that would add Kentucky to a growing list of states with no capital punishment (Lexington Herald Leader, 2016). This push comes in light of the fact that Kentucky has a very high error rate in terms of capital punishment; furthermore, this law is extremely expensive to taxpayers.

If you’re interested in a PhD in criminology or criminal justice, you may be curious about the job opportunities this advanced degree may open up for you. If you are interested in the academic side of criminal justice, consider becoming a professor and spending time on research.

Demand for criminal justice professors may increase 8% through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022), and the current average salary for a professor is $68,290 per year (Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2022).

Your interests may bring you into the courtroom. Job openings for administrative law judges in Kentucky are expected to remain steady through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022) and administrative law judges earn an average of $52,910 per year (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.

Finding the right doctoral program is the first step to earning a PhD in criminal justice. Scroll to see our list of schools and contact programs near you for more information.

What Will It Take to Earn My Criminal Justice Graduate Degree in Kentucky?

With a PhD, you may qualify for positions in legislation, leadership, and research. This type of responsibility demands a high level of education and significant comprehension of complex issues. With a Master’s degree, you may earn your PhD in less than four years. Without a Master’s degree, you may need closer to six or seven years.

As you examine criminal justice schools in Kentucky, evaluate their learning goals and outcomes. These outcomes should show you what you may focus on as a doctoral student.

Common goals and outcomes of PhD programs in Criminal Justice are outlined below:

• Develop a broad understanding of theoretical and legal principles in this field.
• Successfully carry out quantitative and qualitative research.
• Analyze criminal justice data and make appropriate recommendations for application to laws and statutes.
• Consider the research contributions of justice researchers.
• Have the skills needed to assume leadership, policy, and instructional positions.

Depending on the school you decide to attend, you may have to choose an area of specialty. This determines which elective courses you take, the general subject of your dissertation, and your internship options. Available areas of specialty in Kentucky include criminology, justice policy, and criminal justice administration.

You may be expected to complete doctoral criminal justice courses like those listed below:

• Analysis of Criminal Justice Data
• Advanced Police Administration
• Advanced Criminal Justice Studies
• Analysis of Police Operations
• Juvenile Justice
• Class, Race, Gender, and Injustice
• Punishment and Society
• Human Trafficking

With a strong application, relevant research interests, and excellent academic performance, you may qualify for PhD funding. This typically comes in the form of a research assistantship or teaching assistantship, both of which require 10 to 20 hours of work per week. In return, you may get free or discounted tuition and a monthly stipend. The Kentucky Department of Criminal Justice Training also awards scholarships to students who display financial need.

No matter what the next stage of your criminal justice career holds, a PhD may give you the in-depth instruction you need. Contact criminal justice graduate programs in Kentucky for more information.