Professors of the Practice are Shaping Future Professionals 

The University of Kansas offers a Criminal Justice Program that appeals to a wide range of students by providing both online and in-person learning options on the Lawrence campus. This flexibility allows students to tailor their educational experience to their unique needs and circumstances.

KU’s Criminal Justice Degree: Online and On Campus

The vision for this innovative program is taking shape under the leadership of KU Professor Susan Whitford, the Criminal Justice Program Director. Whitford’s leadership is setting a new standard for future professionals in the field, driven by her commitment to bridging academic theory with real-world practice.

What truly distinguishes KU’s Criminal Justice Program from others? According to Whitford, it’s the distinctive blend of expertise, experience, and passion among the faculty.

“My passion is practitioner academics. Every single one of us is a practitioner who also has academic standing,” Whitford emphasizes. “I want them to be passionate about teaching their area and passionate about the students."

Whitford, a skilled crime analyst and former President of the International Association of Criminal Analysts (IACA), has traveled extensively around the world for her work. In her new role at KU, she has made it a priority to select a diverse faculty with a variety of career backgrounds.

Each member of the criminal justice faculty holds academic qualifications, but they also bring authentic experience from multifaceted areas such as law enforcement, restorative justice, intelligence analysis and legal advocacy. This professional background enriches the curriculum and enhances the learning experience for students. The approach sets a solid foundation in criminal justice theory while ensuring they are equipped with essential skills for their future careers.

Criminal Justice Degree Jobs and How KU Prepares You for the Real World

“We are very student focused, because I don't want these students to graduate and then have to find job experience on their own,” Whitford shares. “I want them to graduate with a full resume. That's going to put them above every other candidate.”

With that goal in mind, the program features an array of internship connections, boot camps, capstone projects and even study abroad opportunities. Because of the strong emphasis on mentorship and community engagement, students can foster connections that are vital for career advancement.

Take current criminal justice student Margaret Worley, for example. Worley is working on a capstone project in partnership with the Kansas Department of Corrections. Her research focuses on a new deck of cold case playing cards to showcase 52 unsolved criminal cases, including missing persons and homicides. These cards will be distributed to prisons throughout the state to encourage discussion and potentially generate new leads to solve these cases.

Worley believes it’s the professional experience of her criminal justice professors that has made a difference: “Because they've gone through it, they know what to suggest to their students to help them reach where they want to go,” she said. “They also have incredible networking and they're able to put you in contact with people who are in a career that you're interested in.”

KU’s criminal justice program carefully integrates elements of sociology, psychology, law, and ethics into the curriculum for a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree. In fact, Worley is double majoring in criminal justice and political science at KU. She credits Whitford for the quality of instruction and support she’s received in her criminal justice classes:

“She cares so much about her students and helping them succeed,” Worley shares. “I’ve told her [Whitford], and I've told my family and friends that I have never had a professor or an instructor who cared this deeply about student success — the success of each individual.”

With a modern, forward-thinking curriculum that is balanced with faculty experience and connections, the program aims to create a new generation of leaders. This commitment to student success and professional readiness positions KU’s criminal justice program as a top choice for those eager to make a difference in their field. Whitford believes the choice is clear.

“Criminal justice programs are everywhere. Why KU? Because ours is better.” 
— Susan Whitford, Criminal Justice Program Director, University of Kansas

Whether you're interested in law enforcement, policy or research, KU offers both a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice to match your goals. Explore the program and learn how to get started.