Message from the Chair

Welcome to the Department of Law and Justice. The Law and Justice Major/Minor prepares students for professional employment in the criminal justice and legal systems and for entry into graduate or law school. Our major also allows people in legal and criminal justice related professions who return to school an opportunity to get their degree for career advancement. The Law and Justice Major and Minor is offered on campus in Ellensburg, as well as at four of our university centers: Des Moines, Lynnwood, Pierce and Yakima.

Through our curriculum, students gain a background in the history and philosophy of the legal and criminal justice systems while exploring current trends in law and society with an emphasis on race, ethnicity, culture and gender We stress critical thinking and analysis of legal issues in our curriculum, as well as an exploration of the ethical implications of criminal justice professions and research.

The Law and Justice Faculty are strong academics but also have practical experience in the law and criminal justice professions which they share in the classroom and through advising. Faculty are active researchers as well as being involved in community service at the local and state level. There is opportunity for students to collaborate with faculty in their scholarly endeavors, a cornerstone of a CWU education.

Careers in law and justice are primarily helping professions, so an overreaching goal of the Law and Justice Program is to prepare students to respect the rights of individuals in their professional roles. Internships provide students with an important opportunity to explore career options and gain practical experience.

Those in the law and justice fields play an important role in protecting our safety and security and assuring protection of our rights. Thank you for visiting our website. Please take a moment to explore our programs and the wide array of career options for those with a law and justice degree.