Associate Professor of Practice, Meghan Conley, works with students earning a new Justice Studies Graduate Certificate.

A new Justice Studies Graduate Certificate provides students with interdisciplinary training in the study of justice, inequality, and social change. Associate Professor Tyler Wall created the certificate in collaboration with the Appalachian Justice Research Center (AJRC), ensuring a strong connection to community-based research and applied scholarship.

Students in the program gain hands-on experience through community engagement, policy analysis, and applied projects, preparing them for careers in public service, research, or advanced scholarship. The certificate is housed within the justice studies program and reflects our department’s commitment to equipping students with both theoretical knowledge and practical skills to address pressing social challenges locally, nationally, and globally.

By combining rigorous coursework with experiential learning opportunities, the Justice Studies Graduate Certificate offers a pathway for students to engage deeply with issues such as criminal justice reform, environmental justice, housing equity, and participatory community research. 

The program also strengthens collaboration across UT’s College of Arts and Sciences and with local community partners, creating a model for applied, socially engaged graduate education.