Why Study Criminal Justice, Law & Society?
Tackle complex issues, challenge the status quo, and become a champion for positive change.
Students with a criminal justice major or minor at Pacific University explore the theory and philosophy of law and justice in the United States. You'll have the foundation to pursue justice in a complicated and quickly changing social environment.
As a criminal justice major, you’ll study an interdisciplinary set of topics, including criminal justice, philosophy of the law, conflict mediation, civil liberties, and constitutional law. Students also take classes in sociology, anthropology, philosophy, politics and government, allowing you to explore the criminal justice system in a liberal arts context.
Pacific’s criminal justice majors take small classes with supportive faculty, and complete an independent, research-based capstone project to turn their passions into solutions. You will also complete a semester-long practicum that gives you hands-on, professional experience to help find positions after graduation.
What Can You Do with a Criminal Justice Major?
Students who complete the criminal justice major pursue careers in social policy, criminal justice, law enforcement, juvenile justice, corrections, law, federal and state agencies, and community organizing and activism. Many continue their studies in graduate or law school.
Other universities’ criminal justice programs are skills-based. At Pacific, you'll build the foundation to explore careers beyond the criminal justice system, as well as preparing to work in that system.
