Program Overview
A renewed emphasis on correctional rehabilitation in the United States offers rewarding career opportunities. Eastern Kentucky University provides one of the few degrees in the nation devoted to adult corrections and juvenile justice studies. Find out what you can do to promote the fair and equitable treatment of adults and youth in the criminal justice system. Learn about evidence-based practices shown to help people find success in the community and reduce their likelihood of criminal behavior. Whether you are starting a new career or want to advance in your current one, EKU’s Corrections and Juvenile Justice programs could be the first step to reaching your goals.
Career Opportunities
- Youth Services Worker
- Juvenile Probation Officer
- Delinquency Prevention Specialist
- Corrections Officer
- Intake and Assessment Specialist
- Probation/Parole Officer
- Correctional Counselor
- Institutional Case Manager
- Specialty Court Case Manager (substance abuse, mental health, veterans)
- Pretrial Services Officer
Bachelor’s Degree/Certificates
Core Courses
COR 201 - Introduction to Corrections
Introduction to historical, philosophical, and operational frameworks of US corrections. Debates the goals of punishment and explores institutional and community based sentencing options.
COR 311 - The Juvenile Justice System
Examines the evolution of the juvenile justice system, police response to delinquency, and juvenile court’s roles in protecting the public and serving children. Credit will not be awarded for both COR 311 and CRJ 311.
COR 360 - Rehabilitation Strategies for Adults and Juvenile Offenders
Debates the rehabilitative goal of corrections and juvenile justice. Examines contemporary strategies and their effectiveness in controlling/changing offender behavior.
CRJ 313 - Criminal Justice Ethics
Examines the moral, legal and normative obligations of the state and criminal justice professionals. Surveys the philosophies and theories of ethics and deviance. Credit will not be awarded for both CRJ 313 and 313W.
CRJ 331 - Criminological Theory
Overview of criminological theoretical perspectives that attempt to explain crime. Credit will not be awarded for both CRJ 331 and CRJ 331W.
CRJ 388 - Research Methods
Overview of the research process, with emphasis on finding, using, and evaluating criminal justice research. Examination of both quantitative and qualitative social science research methods and procedures appropriate to the study of crime policy and criminal justice. Credit will not be awarded to students who have credit for CRJ 388W.
CRJ 400 - Criminal Justice Statistics
Analytical and statistical concepts and procedures relevant to crime and criminal justice data. Includes quantitative and qualitative techniques.
Information based on EKU’s 2022-23 course catalog and is subject to change.