Program Overview

Mission

The Criminal Justice Sciences Division at WOU utilizes a strong liberal arts tradition to provide students with a mastery of the complete picture of crime as a social problem, providing the skills necessary to ensure the understanding of sound solutions for preventing and addressing crime at all levels of society. We seek to equip our students with a sound scientific background and excellent preparation in content areas in courts, corrections, law enforcement, community crime prevention, juvenile justice, forensic anthropology, homeland security, and to provide options for interdisciplinary education.

Welcome to the Western Oregon University Criminal Justice Sciences Division

It is my honor to welcome you to the Criminal Justice Sciences Division (CJSD). Criminal Justice has a long and distinguished history at WOU dating back to the late 1960s with a single focus on corrections. It has since grown to be one of the largest divisions on campus, offering two master’s degrees, two graduate level certificates, three bachelor’s degrees with several concentration options, and four minors. We also house the Western Restorative and Criminal Justice Research Center committed to addressing crime through systematic investigation. For over half a century we have maintained exceptionally high standards in teaching and learning.

Our mission is supported by outstanding staff and faculty committed to you and your journey. The CJSD mentors our students through personal attention, collaboration, and connection with the community. Students in Criminal Justice participate in experiential learning and other innovative classroom activities, build long-lasting relationships with peers in the CJSD club, and apply what they’ve learned in the classroom through our acclaimed practicum program. We boast that you can walk into almost any type of agency in Oregon and beyond and you will find at least one proud WOU CJSD alumni. I invite you to explore our website to further see why our division is an amazing place to be. We look forward to being a part of your transformative education at WOU.

Is a degree in Criminal Justice a good fit for you?

Wondering if you should major in Criminal Justice? See what the Criminal Justice Division has to offer!

Possible Job Prospects

• Youth Program Workers
• Local/State/Federal Law Enforcement
• Corrections
• Parole and Probation
• Victim Advocate
• Residential Treatment Specialist
• Attorney
• Social Justice Advocate
• Community Service Coordinators

What does this degree offer?

A degree in Criminal Justice or Cybercrime Investigation and Enforcement will prepare students with a broad foundation of social science and its application to understanding crime.

Students benefit from a holistic and interdisciplinary approach to the criminal justice system, developing a thorough understanding of all facets of the criminal justice system, applicable to a wide spectrum of public, private, and research sectors.

Additional Opportunities

• Law School
• Graduate School
• Continuing Education for Professionals
• Eligibility for Higher Pay Incentives
• Research Opportunities

Discover more opportunities for careers with your degree in Criminal Justice!

Criminal Justice Undergraduate Degree Programs

Bachelor of Science/Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice

Analyze various facets of the criminal justice system to see how the many components influence the administration of justice. Students will examine how the multitude of social issues, theories, ethics, policies and practices impact the criminal justice system while applying basic theories and practices in real world contexts.

• B.S. in Criminal Justice
• B.A.S. in Criminal Justice
• Criminal Justice Minor

Cybercrime Investigation and Enforcement

Develop the conceptual knowledge and technological skills necessary in the detection, investigation and enforcement of cybercrimes. Students will enhance their understanding of how traditional criminal justice theories and practices apply to the progressive field of cybercrime.

• B.S. in Cybercrime Investigation & Enforcement
• Cybercrime Investigation & Enforcement Minor

Criminal Justice Minors

• Forensic Anthropology: Build on the traditional knowledge of anthropology and criminal justice. Students are provided with a range of relevant options in criminal justice and anthropology to generate greater academic and applied breadth appropriate for a broad disciplinary context.
  • Forensic Anthropology Minor
• Juvenile Justice: Understand the uniqueness of juveniles as a separate group of offenders with separate needs within the criminal justice system. Understand through theory and practice, the causes of juvenile crime and the most effective approaches to addressing juvenile crime.
  • Juvenile Justice Minor

Practicum

The Criminal Justice Practicum combines hours spent working at criminal justice agencies with students’ own identified academic goals to enhance an understanding of how criminal justice agencies function. Our Criminal Justice students provide valuable service to our partner host agencies, who in turn, foster both professional and personal growth to prepare our students for the workforce.

Other Resources and Involvement Opportunities

• Western Restorative and Criminal Justice Research Center
• Criminal Justice Alumni
• Criminal Justice Club
• Criminal Justice Professional Advisory Board

Criminal Justice Graduate Programs

Masters Programs

• Master of Arts in Criminal Justice: The MACJ provides students with an academic foundation for managerial and other advanced professional roles in criminal justice, and preparation for doctoral programs.
  • M.A. in Criminal Justice
• Master of Science in Justice Studies: The MSJS provides an interdisciplinary approach to social justice issues for students who wish to focus on advocacy, policy, and research in the administration of justice.
  • M.S. in Justice Studies

Graduate Certificate Programs

• Graduate Certificate in Advanced Juvenile Justice: Provides students with advanced knowledge of research, theory, and practice that addresses challenges with youth, family, and community impacted by delinquent behavior and the juvenile justice system.
  • Graduate Certificate in Advanced Juvenile Justice
• Graduate Certificate in Social Justice: Provides students with in-depth knowledge of complex social challenges and tools for addressing issues in social justice through research, theory, organizing, and affecting change.
  • Graduate Certificate in Social Justice

Accelerated Undergraduate To Masters Pathway (AUMP)

Accelerated Undergraduate to Master’s Pathway (AUMP) allows current WOU undergraduate CJ students to take up to 16 graduate credits which can apply to their current CJ undergraduate degree and transfer to the CJ graduate program.

With thoughtful planning, students could complete a master’s degree within 1 year of completing their bachelor’s degree.

Find out more about AUMP