• Home
• Why WSU
• Academics & Majors
• Academic Offerings
• Research Opportunities
• Honors College
• Study Abroad
• Libraries
• Admission
• Scholarships & Finances
• Student Life & Housing
• Student Visits

• Admitted Students

Criminal Justice

College of Liberal Arts

	QUICK JUMP
	Criminal Justice
	Requirements and Core Courses
	Careers in Criminal Justice
	Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation
	Scholarships and Financial Aid
	Contact Information

Criminal Justice

Criminal justice examines U.S. police agencies, courts, correctional institutions, community corrections, community justice programs, and the factors that cause crime. It is an interdisciplinary field that includes material from sociology, political science, and psychology. • Offered at WSU: Bachelor of arts, minor, master of arts, Ph.D. • Available at: Pullman, Spokane (M.A. only), Distance Degree Program (B.A. only)

Back to top

Requirements and Core Courses

—Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice In addition to the University's general education requirements, completion of a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice includes 48-49 hours of course work in criminal justice, political science, and sociology, at least 12 of which must be earned at Washington State University. Students must also satisfy the University writing and foreign language requirements. No more than 3 hours in the Criminal Justice Internship may be used to satisfy elective requirements. At least 40 of the total hours required for the bachelor’s degree must be in 300- and 400-level courses. CORE REQUIRED COURSES Crim J 101—Intro to the Administration of Criminal Justice Crim J 150—Organizational Environment of Criminal Justice Crim J 320—Criminal Law Crim J 330—Crime Control Policies COLLATERAL REQUIRED COURSES Pol S 340—Introduction to Public Administration Soc 320—Introduction to Social Research Soc 361—Criminology Soc 461—Corrections One of the following:      Pol S 316—American Public Policy      Pol S 416—Policy Analysis      Soc 424—Sociology and Public Policy Two of the following:      Pol S 300—The American Constitution      Pol S 402—Civil Liberties      Pol S 404—Judicial Process      Soc 364—Law and Society 3-4 credits required in statistics:      Psych 311—Elementary Statistics in Psychology      Soc 321—Quantitative Techniques in Sociology I      Or other approved statistics course ADDITIONAL ELECTIVES 12 credits, at least 9 in criminal justice courses, selected from the following: Crim J 105—Realizing Justice in a Multicultural Society Crim J 365—Juvenile Justice and Corrections Crim J 370—Intro to Policing in America Crim J 381—Crime and Justice in the Movies Crim J 400—Issues in the Administration of Criminal Justice Crim J 403—Violence Toward Women Crim J 405—Comparative Criminal Justice Systems Crim J 420—Law of Evidence and Criminal Procedure Crim J 424—Community Corrections Crim J 425—Law of Corrections Crim J 490—Criminal Justice Internship Crim J 499—Special Problems Soc 360—Theories of Deviance Soc 362—Juvenile Delinquency Soc 363—The Social Organization of Hate Crimes Soc 480—Sociology of Race Relations NOTE: Students should consult the General Catalog for course planning and must meet course requirements as outlined in the General Catalog in order to graduate.

Back to top

Careers in Criminal Justice

An undergraduate criminal justice degree can lead to work in criminal justice and government agencies (federal, state, or local) or the private sector. Graduates may enter careers in state and local law enforcement and community corrections (advancing into management and executive positions) or federal law enforcement (including the U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Customs, and the Drug Enforcement Administration). Private sector possibilities include loss management, corporate security, and crime analysis. The degree also provides preparation for graduate school or law school.

Back to top

Suggested Strengths, Interests, and Preparation

• Interest in societal issues • Desire to understand and/or prevent crime

Back to top

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The V.A. Leonard Scholarship is for full-time undergraduate majors in criminal justice, awarded on the basis of financial need and academic achievement. The Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service has up to eight scholarships of $1,000 each available to junior and senior students who demonstrate strong academic excellence and an interest in pursuing a public service career. All criminal justice majors may apply for University-level scholarships and more than $50,000 in scholarships awarded by the College of Liberal Arts.

Back to top

Contact Information

Criminal Justice Program

Washington State University Johnson Tower 801 PO Box 644880 Pullman, WA 99164-4880

siskeo@wsu.edu

509-335-2545

Back to top

Strengths of the Program

• Our criminal justice program is consistently ranked among the best in the nation.
• Learn in the nation's second-oldest academic program in criminal justice.
• The founding chapter of the Alpha Phi Sigma criminal justice honor society was created here.
• Promote your research by using one of the finest criminal justice journal and book collections available at a university library.
• The program is partnered with the Washington State Institute for Community Oriented Policing.
• Our professors regularly assist law and corrections organizations.

Office of Enrollment Management, PO Box 641067, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1067, 888-GO TO WSU (888-468-6978), Contact Us