About Law and Justice

We have compiled some of the most common questions both students and prospective students have about Law and Justice and put them up here so that you can have your questions answered instantly. Any questions you do not see here, feel free to ask in an email to the department by clicking on the scales of justice at the bottom of this page.

Prospective Students

Can I take LAJ classes before I declare my major?

Yes, you may take LAJ 300 only before you declare your major with department permission. Beyond this initial class a student must declare their major. While it is difficult to boil down an entire field into one class, this class serves as a "sample" class for the LAJ program. LAJ 300 is a pre-requisite for all other LAJ classes. The class offers an overview of the field of criminal justice.

What are the admission requirements for Law and Justice, and when can I enter the program?

The admission requirements have recently changed. For updated information on it visit the "admission" page. A student can enter the program at any time, during any quarter.

How long does it take to complete my degree if I major in Law and Justice?

It generally takes between one and two years, depending on the classes you have already taken and whether you have a minor to accompany it.

What options do I have with a Law and Justice degree?

There are a total of three different specializations, plus a new General degree, with more to come in the future. For more information on each track offered by LAJ, visit the "tracks" page. Additionally, there are minors offered by Law and Justice. Minors allow a student to specialize in multiple areas without having to take 40-50 more credits.

What kinds of careers can I go into after school?

Depending, of course, on which track the student chose there would be different career options. The Law Enforcement track prepares students for a career as a law enforcement officer at both the state/local and national levels. The Corrections track prepares the graduate for work within the corrections field. The Pre-Law degree prepares the student for the rigors of law school or immediate employment within the legal field as a paralegal. Finally, the General degree gives the most flexibility. By having a broad group of classes in the General degree, the student has unlimited options. All of tracks give students the ability to directly into the workforce or on to graduate studies. For further information on the careers available, visit the "careers" page and the page for the particular track of interest.

If I transfer from another school, how does it affect me?

If you are transferring from a community college without a completed Associate degree then you will need to complete the basic and breadth requirements for your Bachelor degree. If you have completed an Associate degree then you only need to complete your major and a number of electives. For more information visit the Central Washington University homepage.

With the changes for the upcoming year, including changing requirements for graduation, its hard to know where I fit in. I began under the 1996-98 catalog, does that mean I have to change all of requirements to graduate with my LAJ degree?

No, the option of changing or not changing is up to you, the student. Choosing means that previously 2 credit classes will become 4, and 5 will become 4. This leaves the student the option of gaining additional credits to compensate for what was lost.

I am transferring from a community college and I noticed that many of the lower division courses I took there actually will be accepted as some of your higher division courses. Is this true or is this a mistake?

No, it's not a mistake. Many community college credits can be transferred as equal to many of our upper division classes in Law and Justice, however it is also necessary to take classes to compensate them in order to meet the academic requirement that upper-division credits for the major are satisfied.