Law and Justice
Welcome to the Department of Law and Justice
The discipline of Law and Justice incorporates multiple areas of study including criminal justice and criminology, law, social justice and social advocacy, and victimology.
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
About Law and Justice at CWU
Connect with our department to get the latest news and event information, meet our faculty, and more.
Student Resources
Home page for the Student Resources section of the Law and Justice department site.
Message from the Chair
Message from the Chair within the Law and Justice program at Central Washington University
Departmental Objective
Departmental Objective at Central Washington University
Contact Information
Contact Information at Central Washington University
Alumni Spotlight
Alumni Spotlight at Central Washington University
Faculty
Get to know our department.
Explore our Degrees
Discover a range of programs designed to inspire creativity, build expertise, and prepare you for a successful career in Law and Justice.
Why Law and Justice at CWU?
At CWU, our Law and Justice program stands out for its broad approach, equipping you with tools to tackle diverse challenges in the field that programs focused solely on criminal justice or criminology might overlook.
Career Directions
Opportunities for work exist not just in law enforcement and the law, but in many other fields including:
- Social Worker
- Psychologist
- Community Activist
- Victim’s Advocate
- Homeland Security
- Counselor
- Fish and Game Warden
- Bailiff
- Correctional Officer
- Private Detective
- Probation Officer
- Security Guard
- Probation Officer
- Fish and Game Warden
A Different Approach to Learning
In addition to traditional coursework, we feature many experiential learning opportunities:
- Field Placement Program – Opportunities vary but have included positions with the Yakima County Sheriff, the Kittitas Valley Coroner, and Bellevue Probation.
- Research Opportunities – Collaborate with faculty on active research projects or develop your own original research in partnership with faculty mentors.
- Teaching Assistant Opportunities – Gain valuable teaching experience by serving as a teaching assistant. This role allows you to critically engage with instructional methods, refine your communication and leadership skills, and prepare for careers involving education or training.
- Student Groups – Join dynamic student organizations, such as the Law and Justice Club, Mock Trial Team, or Paralegal Association.
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.