College of the Sciences
Law and Justice
Bachelor of Arts | Major
Law and Justice, BA
The Law and Justice major at CWU is designed to equip you with the analytical abilities, social skills, and core knowledge that is essential to a career in law and justice.
Graduates can start careers in traditional law and justice trajectories, such as law enforcement, legal practice, corrections, as well as other social science pathways focusing on community advocacy, social justice, data analytics, and public administration.
Questions? Contact Us.
Department of Law & Justice
Farrell Hall 309
You belong here
What You'll Study
Academic Catalog | Law and Justice Department Website
Courses
- LAJ 300 - Administration of Criminal Justice
- LAJ 302 - Criminal Procedure
- LAJ 313 - Introduction to Criminal Law
- LAJ 400 - Research Methods in Criminal Justice
- LAJ 401 - Ethics, Diversity, and Conflict in Criminal Justice
- LAJ 420 - Community and Social Justice
- LAJ 451 - Crime in America
- LAJ 489 - Senior Seminar in Law and Justice
Department-Approved Electives
- LAJ 303 - Legal Research
- LAJ 310 - Trial Practice and Strategy
- LAJ 311 - Family Law
- LAJ 316 - Introduction to Paralegal Studies
- LAJ 317 - Introduction to Civil Practice
- LAJ 318 - Introduction to Forensics
- LAJ 324 - Correctional Law
- LAJ 326 - Correctional Counseling
- LAJ 327 - Community Corrections
- LAJ 329 - Drugs, Alcohol, and Criminal Justice
- LAJ 331 - Investigation
- LAJ 332 - Police Community Relations
- LAJ 333 - Police Personnel Administration
- LAJ 334 - Issues in Policing
- LAJ 342 - Juvenile Justice Process
- LAJ 347 - Court Structure and Process
- LAJ 350 - Criminal Justice and the Media
- LAJ 351 - Preparing for Law Enforcement and Corrections Careers
- LAJ 353 - Great American Trials
- LAJ 360 - Sex Crime and Sexual Offending
- LAJ 397 - Honors
- LAJ 398 - Special Topics
- LAJ 399 - Seminar
- LAJ 402 - African Americans and the Constitution
- LAJ 403 - Sexual Minorities, the Law, and Justice
- LAJ 410 - Legal Writing
- LAJ 418 - Contract Law
- LAJ 422 - Justice, Activism, and Social Science
- LAJ 426 - Advanced Correctional Counseling
- LAJ 436 - Statistical Applications in Law and Justice
- LAJ 440 - Basic Mediation
- LAJ 449 - Legal Regulation of Expression
- LAJ 450 - Report Writing
- LAJ 453 - Domestic Violence Issues
- LAJ 455 - Comparative Criminal Justice Systems
- LAJ 459 - Current Issues
- LAJ 460 - Terrorism
- LAJ 470 - Victimology
- LAJ 493 - Field Experience
- LAJ 498 - Special Topics
- LAJ 499 - Field Experience Seminar
Holistic Approach
Unlike other programs that focus only on criminal justice and criminology, our program is expansive, covering additional topics including social advocacy and victimology. This breadth of knowledge sets you apart and provides more career options.
Public Affair
Develop key skills including a refined code of ethics, research (both social science and legal), personal interaction, and leadership, preparing you for a multitude of careers that serve the public.
Pick Your Path
Lean into your interests and explore new career pathways with our vast array of over 30 electives. Choose from the socially relevant topics including Issues in Policing and Great American Trials.
Experiential
Our department offers rich opportunities outside of the classroom. Engage with active student groups like the Law and Justice Club and Mock Trial Team, where you'll find leadership opportunities and extracurricular learning experiences.
Apply
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Financial Aid
Our Financial Aid staff are here to help you navigate financial aid.
Student Life
Pursue your interests in a supportive community. Learn more.
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The best way to discover what makes CWU so special is to experience it yourself.
Scholarships
The Law and Justice Department has dedicated scholarships including two that gift one year of tuition.
Courses
Courses are offered in person and online.
in Salary
Because of the vast differences in types of careers, law and justice graduates’ salaries range from $50,000k to $125,000 annually.
Why Study Law and Justice at Central?
- Gain broad exposure to criminal justice, criminology, law, social justice, and victimology, equipping you for diverse public service careers.
- You'll develop essential skills in legal research, writing, problem-solving, ethical decision-making, and leadership, preparing you for roles in law enforcement, legal practice, and advocacy.
- With both online and in-person courses, CWU offers flexible learning options, including hands-on experience through specialized field placements, research projects, and teaching assistantships.
- CWU alumni have found success in law enforcement, legal practice, corrections, social justice advocacy, and policy analysis, opening up a wide range of career options.
Careers
Law Enforcement
Investigator
Lawyer
Paralegal
Prosecutor
Defense Attorney
Correctional Officers
Parole Officers
Community Counselor
Community Advocate
Crime Analyst
Legislative Relations
Commitment to a Sustainable World
Central Washington University is committed to integrating sustainability across academics, operations, and campus life. Many CWU programs embed sustainability-related concepts, skills, and applied learning that prepare students to think critically about their impact on the world around them.
CWU is nationally recognized for this work through the AASHE STARS Gold rating, reflecting our dedication to transparency, environmental stewardship, and continuous improvement.
Sustainability courses include:
- LAJ 203 Wildlife Law Enforcement
- LAJ 215 Law in American History
- LAJ 216 Race, Gender and Justice
Learn more about CWU’s sustainability efforts through the Office of Sustainability, explore CWU’s national sustainability recognition, or view the full AASHE STARS report.