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.
CJ Announcement Board
Covid-19 Update (08/24/2021)
The Criminal Justices Sciences Division administrative office in Maaske Hall, room 207 is open Monday-Friday 7:30am to 4:00pm.
Please contact faculty directly to determine their in-person and/or virtual availability.
Vivian Aseye Djokotoe, PhD
Division Chair
Welcome to the Western Oregon University
Criminal Justice Sciences Division
On behalf of the criminal justice faculty and staff, I’d like to thank you for your interest in our programs! Our friendly and knowledgeable professors are always ready to work with you to achieve your academic goals and to ensure that your time at WOU is not only interesting, but also fun. We love that students come to us with a wide range of career aspirations in mind, and we are happy to support those goals all the way to graduation day and beyond!
If you have any questions about the criminal justice program or potential careers in that field, my door is always open. I invite you to continue exploring our website or email us at criminaljustice@wou.edu.
Criminal Justice Degree Programs
Bachelor of 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 pratices in real world contexts.
Bachelor of Science in Cybercrime Enforcement and Investigation
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.
Bachelor of Applied Science in Criminal Justice
Provide students with a high-quality liberal arts education in the interdisciplinary field of criminal justice. Maintain a network of local, state, federal and academic institutions through outreach and research. Criminal Justice majors are prepared to engage in civic endeavors and to assume field positions in criminal justice and social service agencies or enter graduate programs.
Criminal Justice Minors
Forensic Anthropology Minor
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.
Juvenile Justice Minor
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.
Criminal Justice Graduate Opportunities
Criminal Justice Graduate Programs
Earn your Master’s Degree online! We offer a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Justice Studies (Fall 2022). Additionally, check out our NEW graduate certificates in Social Justice and Advanced Juvenile 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.
Division Features and Highlights
Western Restorative Justice and Reentry Center
Promoting research and programs in the areas of restorative justice, correctional rehabilitation, post-incarceration reentry, and decreasing recidivism.
Benefit from “in-house” support and resources! Students receive one-on-one attention and enjoy criminal justice oriented engagement at all stages.
Criminal Justice, A Good Fit For You
On Campus, Online and Hybrid Classes
The WOU Criminal Justice Sciences Division allows you to pursue your degree on-campus, online or in a hybrid of online and on-campus courses.
All faculty have experience teaching online and actively encourage dynamic learning environments both remotely and in the classroom.
Applied Learning
Dig Deeper
Take advantage of the chance to work on research and creative projects alongside professors who serve as mentors. Students also have access to a new fully-equipped forensic anthropology lab that provides research, learning, and interactive opportunities.
Diverse and Knowledgeable Faculty
An especially unique component of the criminal justice program at WOU is the faculty, an assortment of criminal justice researchers, professionals and scholars with a wide spectrum of expertise in the field of criminal justice. Mutual respect, thoughtful engagement and appreciation for diverse perspectives makes this program a safe space for scholarly discourse for both students and faculty.
Practical Study
Make the World Your Classroom
Our students are regularly engaged with criminal justice professionals through classroom guest lecturers, topical events and speakers hosted by the division, and regular cooperative efforts between the division and local criminal justice agencies.
Competitive, Relevant and Rigorous Program
The combination of a strong liberal arts curriculum with a rigorous set of core classes and specialized elective coursework in law enforcement, corrections, social justice, juvenile justice and community crime prevention makes each of these criminal justice degrees a valuable asset in the criminal justice field, in addition to being unique and exciting.
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
where this degree can take you
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 wholistic 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
Get To Know the Criminal Justice Faculty
Cabin Femur: Forensic Anthropology in the Age of Quarantine
Episode 02: Why should I study forensic anthropology if I don't want to be a forensic anthropologist?
Contact the Criminal Justice Sciences Division
We look forward to hearing from you! Additionally, please explore our website for more information about our degrees and programs.
