The Washington State University Pullman Catalog

Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology

The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective.

Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology

crmj.wsu.edu
Wilson-Short 111
509-335-8611

Chair and Associate Professor, M.-A. Neuilly (Wolf); Professors, D. Brody, C. Hemmens, F. Lutze, M. Stohr; Associate Professors, L. Drapela, K. DuBois, D. Makin, D. Willits; Assistant Professors, H. Mellinger, A. Pedneault, A. Raza; Teaching Assistant Professor, J. Snyder.

The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology offers substantive studies in criminal justice and criminology in conjunction with a liberal arts education.  It prepares students for a broad range of careers in criminal justice institutions, government agencies at local, state, and federal levels, private support and welfare organizations, private security work, and domestic and international corporations, as well as for the pursuit of graduate study or law school; develops leadership qualities; and promotes the ideal of professional achievement in public service.

Criminal Justice and Criminology is the interdisciplinary study of the problem of crime and of the institutions, policies and practices by which society responds to the problem of crime, as well as theories of human behavior and normative philosophies directly related to the maintenance of social order, the control of crime and the achievement of a just society. Specific courses in the program focus on social control issues and policies, substantive and procedural criminal law, the organization and workings of criminal justice institutions (police, courts, corrections, juvenile justice), issues relevant to groups in American society (gender, minorities), research and evaluation skills, theories of crime and delinquency, ethics, and the evaluation of management, programs, and policies conducted by justice system institutions.

Students are also required to complete related courses on the larger political, legal, economic and social environments in which crime and the criminal justice system operate. Taught by a multi-disciplinary faculty, courses cover such areas as public administration, American public policy, constitutional law, and gender and politics. Additional elective courses are offered by departments within the College of Arts and Sciences.

We expect that graduating students will have an understanding of: 1) the causes of crime, 2) the components, processes, and programs of the criminal justice system, 3) the interconnectedness of theory, research, and practice, 4) the complexities of achieving justice in a multi-cultural society, 5) the intricacies of policy formation and implementation, and 6) the ability to understand and interpret social science research.

The course of study leads to the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology, and the Master's Degree and Ph.D. Degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology.

Transfer Students

Students planning to transfer to Washington State University at the end of the first year or sophomore year should follow as closely as possible the general and core course requirements set forth in the schedule of studies. If this is done, there should be no difficulty in completing the requirements for the bachelor’s degree within the normal period of four years.

Preparation for Graduate Study

Undergraduates who are pursuing their studies at other institutions or through other curricula at this institution and who contemplate graduate work in this program will do well to elect courses similar to those required in the schedule of studies.

Student Learning Outcomes

The B.A. in Criminal Justice and Criminology is designed to empower students as critical thinkers, creative evaluators, ethical actors, and effective communicators concerning matters of crime and administration of justice at the local, state, national, and international levels.

 



View Full Unit Information
Student Affairs Schedule of Classes Commencement Veteran's Affairs Summer Session
 
Office of the Registrar, PO Box 641035, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-1035, 509-335-5346, bitter@wsu.edu
Copyright © Board of Regents, Washington State University