— Jenna Richards '19
Address the challenge of pursuing justice in a changing world by exploring the complex issues of crime, justice and social policy.
The criminal justice, law and society major and minor at Pacific University program explores the theory and philosophy of law and justice in the United States and teaches students to address the challenges of pursuing justice in a complicated and quickly changing social environment. Students study an interdisciplinary set of topics, including criminal justice, philosophy of the law, conflict mediation, civil liberties, and constitutional law.

Careers in Criminal Justice
Students who complete the criminal justice, law and society major go on to law school or to pursue careers in social policy, criminal justice, law enforcement, juvenile justice, corrections, law, federal and state agencies, and international organizations.

She was looking for the opportunity to double major in sociology and criminal justice and set her self up for law school.
“I picked Pacific because of the location, the financial aid package, and it had the program I wanted,” she said. “The classes fit so well, and there is so much you can do with that double major.”
As a Pacific student, she interned as a victim’s advocate with the Washington County District Attorney’s Office, along with other government agencies. Her constitutional law class solidified her desire to pursue a legal career.
A month before graduation, she was weighing her next steps, with acceptance letters from at least four law schools.
Headlines
Amanda Pays '21 was accepted into the Criminology, Law, and Justice Ph.D. program at the University of Illinois at Chicago and will begin her doctoral studies in fall 2022.
A double major in sociology and criminal justice, law and society more than prepared Hannah McCauley ’21 for her next chapter.
The McCall Center for Civic Engagement Award recognizes outstanding contributions to civic engagement at Pacific University.