Offered in both on-campus and online formats, the Criminal Justice degree offers a multidisciplinary understanding of crime and justice within the framework of broader social processes within our society. It looks at all major aspects of the justice system from an ecological systems approach rather than a specialization in one narrow content area. The curriculum provides a theoretical understanding of the discipline, combined with an understanding of the scientific method as it applies to criminal justice.
The Criminal Justice curriculum will allow students to expand their education by learning to evaluate broader aspects of the criminal justice system and develop theoretical and analytical knowledge and skills.
UW Tacoma's innovative Criminal Justice major emphasizes social justice, diversity, community partnerships, systems thinking and skill development. Students are sensitized to the human impact of crime, including differential impact across social identities and locations. A social justice lens is adopted, with a focus on harm reduction, rehabilitative and restorative approaches to crime and justice.
The criminal justice curriculum prepares students for careers in the criminal legal system, community-based organizations, and governmental agencies serving those who have been involved in or impacted by crime and other forms of harm-doing.
