Law and Justice

Career Paths

Whether you are a current student or just starting to explore Law and Justice as a possible major, you are probably thinking about life after school. Since the Law and Justice program is designed to prepare its students for real world work, most students go straight from graduation to employment.

The following sites are some of the best resources on the Internet for job listings and information on careers in the law and justice field.

For general career information, like how much a police officer makes or how many jobs there will be for lawyers in the next 5 years, the very best resource on the internet is the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Everything from statistics to information on hundreds of different careers is available. The most current career information can usually be found in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.

When it comes time to search for your new career, Central Washington University's Career Services department provides a number of very useful links to employment resources. The best place to start is the Wildcat Career Network, which provides listings for a wide-array of job openings, information on upcoming workshops and events, and resources for career research and professional development. Also, it's always worth checking the links on the Job & Internship Links page for information on networking, job searching, and finding internships during your time at CWU.

Another great option that is offered to current LAJ students is the Field Experience Program. Students are able to get hands-on work experience in the field while also earning credits that count towards their LAJ Major requirements.

Suggested Courses for Career Paths

The classes you take during your time in the law and justice program may vary depending on the career path you intend to follow after graduation. This is a list of some common law and justice careers and some suggestions for classes that might be of particular use or interest. Please keep in mind that these are only guidelines; some courses may not be available at your location or during your time in the program.

This list is also available as a downloadable document (doc)

Court Administration (court clerk, bailiff)

• LAJ 303 - Legal Research
• LAJ 310 - Trial Practice & Strategy
• LAJ 311 - Family Law
• LAJ 316 - Introduction to Paralegal Studies
• LAJ 317 - Introduction to Civil Practice
• LAJ 342 - Juvenile Justice Process
• LAJ 410 - Legal Writing
• LAJ 402 - African Americans and the Constitution
• LAJ 403 - Sexual Minorities in Law and Justice
• LAJ 420 - Community and Social Justice
• LAJ 440 - Basic Mediation
• LAJ 452 - Domestic Violence Issues
• LAJ 493/499 - Field Placement Program or 490 - Co-op (internship)

(Listed classes are suggestions, not requirements.)

Juvenile Justice (counselor, case worker)

• LAJ 324 - Correctional Law
• LAJ 326 - Correctional Counseling
• LAJ 327 - Community Corrections
• LAJ 332 - Police Community Relations
• LAJ 342 - Juvenile Justice Process
• LAJ 402 - African Americans and the Constitution
• LAJ 403 - Sexual Minorities in Law and Justice
• LAJ 420 - Community and Social Justice
• LAJ 426 - Advanced Correctional Counseling
• LAJ 440 - Basic Mediation
• LAJ 452 - Domestic Violence Issues
• LAJ 450 - Report Writing
• LAJ 493/499 - Field Placement Program or 490 - Co-Op (Internship)

(Listed classes are suggestions, not requirements.)

Law Enforcement

• LAJ 300 - Administration of Justice
• LAJ 331 - Investigation
• LAJ 332 - Police Community Relations
• LAJ 333 - Police Personnel Administration
• LAJ 402 - African Americans and the Constitution
• LAJ 403 - Sexual Minorities in Law and Justice
• LAJ 420 - Community and Social Justice
• LAJ 440 - Basic Mediation
• LAJ 450 - Report Writing
• LAJ 452 - Domestic Violence Issues
• LAJ 460 - Terrorism
• LAJ 493/499 Field Placement Program or 490 - Co-Op (Internship)

(Listed classes are suggestions, not requirements.)

Paralegal/Legal Assistant

• LAJ 102 - Intro to Law & Justice
• LAJ 215 - Law in American History
• LAJ 303 - Legal Research
• LAJ 311 - Family Law
• LAJ 316 - Introduction to Paralegal Studies
• LAJ 317 - Introduction to Civil Practice
• LAJ 410 - Legal Writing
• LAJ 440 - Basic Mediation
• LAJ 493/499 - Field Placement Program or 490 - Co-op (internship)

(Listed classes are suggestions, not requirements.)

Probation Officer/Correctional Officer

• LAJ 324 - Correctional Law
• LAJ 326 - Correctional Counseling
• LAJ 327 - Community Corrections
• LAJ 402 - African Americans and the Constitution
• LAJ 403 - Sexual Minorities in Law and Justice
• LAJ 420 - Community and Social Justice
• LAJ 426 - Advanced Correctional Counseling
• LAJ 440 - Basic Mediation
• LAJ 450 - Report Writing
• LAJ 493/499 - Field Placement Program or 490 - Co-Op (Internship)

(Listed classes are suggestions, not requirements.)

Social Service/Non-Profit Agency

• LAJ 311 - Family Law
• LAJ 317 - Introduction to Civil Practice
• LAJ 326 - Correctional Counseling
• LAJ 402 - African Americans and the Constitution
• LAJ 403 - Sexual Minorities in Law and Justice
• LAJ 420 - Community and Social Justice
• LAJ 426 - Advanced Correctional Counseling
• LAJ 440 - Basic Mediation
• LAJ 342 - Juvenile Justice Process
• LAJ 453 - Domestic Violence Issues
• LAJ 493/499 - Field Placement Program or 490 - Co-op (internship)

(Listed classes are suggestions, not requirements.)

Wildlife Agent

• LAJ 203 - Wildlife Law Enforcement
• LAJ 331 - Investigation
• LAJ 332 - Police Community Relations
• LAJ 333 - Police Personnel Administration
• LAJ 420 - Community and Social Justice
• LAJ 440 - Basic Mediation
• LAJ 450 - Report Writing
• LAJ 460 - Terrorism
• LAJ 493/499 - Field Placement Program or 490 - Co-Op (Internship)

(Listed classes are suggestions, not requirements.)

Forensics Certificate

Science Major is recommended (biology, chemistry ect.) which is only offered in Ellensburg coupled with a LAJ Major/Minor.

Graduate School

Law School

Law schools look at the rigor of the courses you take, not just the grades. Writing- and reading-intensive courses are important, as is logic and analysis. They also look for community service or service in an area of law that you are interested in.

• LAJ 102 - Intro to Law & Justice
• LAJ 184 - PadStone (Animal Law, Bill of Rights, Know Your Rights at College)
• LAJ 215 - Law in American History
• LAJ 302 - Criminal Procedure
• LAJ 303 - Legal Research
• LAJ 310 - Trial Practice & Strategy
• LAJ 311 - Family Law
• LAJ 313 - Intro to Criminal Law
• LAJ 316 - Introduction to Paralegal Studies
• LAJ 317 - Introduction to Civil Practice
• LAJ 418 - Contract Law
• LAJ 420 - Community and Social Justice
• LAJ 410 - Legal Writing
• LAJ 440 - Basic Mediation
• LAJ 493/499 - Field Placement Program or 490 - Co-op (internship)

(Listed classes are suggestions, not requirements.)

Criminal Justice, Counseling, Organizational Development, Public Administration

Your course selection will depend on the type of graduate program you are targeting. Please see your advisor for more information.

• LAJ 300 - Administration of Justice
• LAJ 327 - Community Corrections
• LAJ 333 - Police Personnel Administration
• LAJ 342 - Juvenile Justice Process
• LAJ 350 - Criminal Justice and Media
• LAJ 400 - Research Methods
• LAJ 403 - Sexual Minorities in Law and Justice
• LAJ 420 - Community and Social Justice
• LAJ 436 - Statistical Applications
• LAJ 453 - Domestic Violence Issues
• LAJ 493/499 - Field Placement Program or 490 - Co-Op (Internship)
• LAJ 495 - Directed Research (with SOURCE presentation if possible)

(Listed classes are suggestions, not requirements.)