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The criminology and criminal justice major is an interdisciplinary social science program preparing candidates for positions in the criminal justice field and providing a solid background for advanced education in graduate or law school. A major in criminal justice may be complemented by minors in sociology, psychology, political science or social work.

Program highlights

A dedicated faculty – with strong ties to local law enforcement agencies – provides students with a rich, practical environment for exploring the world of criminal justice. Student who participate in Saint Martin’s Criminal Justice Program:

  • Study with professionals working in the field, as well as with our regular faculty.
  • Gain hands-on experience during internships within agencies that form part of the criminal justice system.
  • Complete a required capstone project that allows students to identify and pursue a contemporary issue of significant and substantial concern.

In addition to more traditional coursework addressing the police, corrections and the courts, Saint Martin’s students can broaden their perspective through a wide range of specialty courses, including:

  • Victimology
  • Drugs and society
  • Social justice
  • Deviant behavior
  • Juvenile justice and rehabilitation
  • Restorative justice

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  • Research and internships

    Research and internships are championed by the criminal justice faculty. Students are encouraged to reach out to local agencies for internship opportunities and graduates who wish to pursue publication can petition faculty for assistance in the publication process.

    Opportunities within criminal justice include:

    • Senior thesis publication (e.g. DNA Evidence: Examining Police Officer's Knowledge of Handling Procedures in a Mid-Size)
    • Washington State Department of Corrections
    • Washington State Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
    • Lacey Police Department
  • Career paths

    A broad range of career opportunities are available to a student majoring in criminal justice. In addition to the field of law enforcement, graduates are prepared for positions in such areas as:

    • Legal research or representation
    • Outreach
    • Counseling
    • Administration
    • Security
    • Teaching

    Graduates are also prepared for advanced study.

    Students who pursue a minor in criminal justice can use this concentration to enhance a major field of study such as psychology, social work, political science, business or history.

    For a complete list of professional applications, visit "What Can I Do With This Major?". For additional information about how Saint Martin’s can help you find the career for you, visit our Career Center.

Requirements

Major

All students majoring in criminal justice are required to complete a senior capstone project (CJ 499 Senior Seminar) and apply for Saint Martin's yearly scholarly presentation event, Scholars Day.

Minor

  • Criminology & criminal justice minor courses (24 credit hours)

    Core criminal justice system (15 credit hours)

    • CJ 101: Introduction to criminal justice
    • LS 101: Courts, the legal environment and ethics
    • CJ 210: The correctional environment
    • CJ 215: Police & society
    • CJ 325: Criminology & juvenile delinquency

    Criminal justice elective courses (9 credit hours)

    • Choose three CJ electives

Criminology & criminal justice concentrations

Corrections

This pathway is designed to prepare students for future careers in correctional settings. Graduates may choose to pursue a career as a correctional officer or jailer in institutional corrections settings, such as prisons, jails and detention facilities. Alternatively, students may choose a career as a probation or parole officer, case manager or correctional counselor within a variety of community supervision settings.

  • Corrections concentration courses

    Year one

    • Intro to criminal justice
    • Police & society

    Year two

    • Courts, the legal environment and ethics
    • The correctional environment
    • Research methods

    Year three

    • Criminology & delinquency
    • Juvenile justice & rehabilitation
    • Introduction to statistics
    • Criminal courst, legal process and evidence

    Year four

    • Corrections internship
    • Community corrections
    • *Restorative justice
    • Senior seminar
    • *Correctional treatment and offender reentry
    • Special topics in corrections

    *New course

Law enforcement & investigation

This pathway is designed to prepare students for future careers in law enforcement and investigation settings. Graduates may choose to pursue a career as a sworn agent, police, or public safety officer for local, state or federal agencies. Many law enforcement careers are available in these categories, including: sheriff, bailiff, state trooper, FBI agent, park ranger, border patrol agent, US marshal, DEA agent, Secret Service agent, fish and wildlife police, and US park police. Alternatively, students may choose a career working in the private sector as investigators, loss prevention agents or security personnel.

  • Law enforcement & investigation courses

    Year one

    • Intro to criminal justice
    • Police & society

    Year two

    • Courts, the legal environment and ethics
    • The correctional environment
    • Research methods

    Year three

    • Criminology & delinquency
    • Juvenile justice & rehabilitation
    • Introduction to statistics
    • Criminal courst, legal process and evidence

    Year four

    • Law enforcement internship
    • Law and society
    • Organization and behavior
    • Senior seminar
    • Criminal law and procedure
    • Special topics in policing

Legal studies

This pathway is designed to prepare students for future careers in legal settings. Graduates may choose to pursue graduate education in law school as the next step toward a career as a lawyer. Alternatively, students may choose a career as a court clerk, legal researcher, court services officer or paralegal.

  • Legal studies courses

    Year one

    • Intro to criminal justice
    • Police & society

    Year two

    • Courts, the legal environment and ethics
    • The correctional environment
    • Research methods

    Year three

    • Criminology & delinquency
    • Juvenile justice & rehabilitation
    • Introduction to statistics
    • Criminal courst, legal process and evidence

    Year four

    • Legal/court internship
    • Judicial process
    • Law and society
    • Senior seminar
    • Constitutional safeguards and individual liberties
    • Philosophy of law

Victim services

This pathway is designed to prepare students for future careers in serving victims of crime, violence or trauma. Graduates may choose to pursue a career as a victim advocate, victim coordinator or victim specialist, witness coordinator or specialist

  • Victim services courses

    Year one

    • Intro to criminal justice
    • Police & society

    Year two

    • Courts, the legal environment and ethics
    • The correctional environment
    • Research methods

    Year three

    • Criminology & delinquency
    • Juvenile justice & rehabilitation
    • Introduction to statistics
    • Criminal courst, legal process and evidence

    Year four

    • Victim services internship
    • Victimology
    • *Restorative justice
    • Senior seminar
    • *Correctional treatment and offender reentry
    • Treatment with victims of crime

    *New course

Faculty