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Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Criminal Justice and Social Work is to prepare students for careers in fields where they will have opportunities to positively impact the communities in which they live and serve. Faculty and staff strive to offer academic programs that foster the development of students’ interpersonal and critical thinking skills, cultural sensitivity, community leadership skills, professional knowledge, skills and dispositions required for them to contribute to their chosen professions. This is achieved through the development of lifelong learning strategies, authentic learning experiences, experiential-based job competencies and community engagement commitments.

Overview

The Department of Criminal Justice and Social Work is dedicated to preparing professionals in the areas of Criminal Justice and Social Work. Students may earn a Bachelor of Science degree or a Bachelor of Arts degree or a minor in Criminal Justice. Interested students may also earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Forensics, which is taught in the Chemistry Department in the College of Science, Engineering and Technology, and requires a minor in Criminal Justice. Internship experiences are available during the junior and senior years in a variety of agencies, including the public defender, local police agencies, Kentucky State Police, the Office of the Commonwealth Attorney, victims’ services agencies and regional corrections agencies.

The social work program is designed to meet the career aspirations of those interested in fields such as child welfare, mental health, school social work, medical social work, community organization, and community leadership. Students who receive the B.S.W., work in recreational programs for children, group homes, public assistance programs and public housing, domestic violence shelters, hospitals and nursing homes. Social Work requires participation in a field placement in an agency setting during the last year of course study.

Departmental Offices

The main department office is located in CH 108 with Social Work offices in CH 106 and Criminal Justice offices in CH 102.