Criminal Justice Degree Programs in Washington

Updated on October 31, 2023

Numerous schools in Washington State have earned strong reputations for providing quality criminal justice education at the undergraduate and graduate levels. Students in Washington can pursue specialized study in such areas as forensic science, emergency management, homeland security, and justice administration. Several schools, including Centralia College, Pierce College, and Washington State University also offer online criminal justice degrees.

Quick Facts

  • There are 34 schools offering criminal justice degrees in Washington (see below).1

  • 23 colleges and universities offer associate's degrees in criminal justice.*1

  • 11 colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in criminal justice.*1

  • 3 colleges and universities offer master's or doctoral degrees in criminal justice.*1

  • 9 colleges and universities offer criminal justice degree programs online.*1

  • 2 schools ranked in Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.2

  • 3 schools ranked in College Factual's Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges in 2018.3

  • 1 school ranked in Criminal Justice Degree Schools Best Online Bachelor's Programs in 2018.4

  • No schools ranked in US News Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs in 2018.5

*For not-for-profit colleges and universities with criminal justice degree programs.

Featured Online Programs

Explore program formats, transfer requirements, financial aid packages, and more by contacting the schools below.

Criminal Justice Degree Programs in Washington

Washington's colleges and universities offer opportunities to earn criminal justice degrees at the associate's, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degree levels. Earning a criminal justice degree in Washington can make you more competitive in the selection process and open the door to expanded opportunities. For example, in Spokane, police officer candidates must have at least 30 credit hours from an accredited college or university. The US government also provides career opportunities for graduates of criminal justice programs in Washington. Federal agencies in Washington that employ criminal justice professionals include the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the FBI, and the Department of Justice (DoJ); salaries for these positions are competitive and most require at least a bachelor's degree.

Top-Ranked Criminal Justice Programs in Washington

Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges*

  • University of Washington (#7 in-state, #17 out-of-state)

  • Western Washington University (#92 in-state, #79 out-of-state)

*Institution-wide ranking.

College Factual's Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges

  • Washington State University (#12)

  • Seattle University (#16)

Best Online Bachelor's in Criminal Justice Programs

  • Washington State University

Profiles of Well-Known Criminal Justice Schools in Washington

Washington State University: The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Washington State University offers a Minor, a Bachelor of Arts, a Master's, and a PhD in Criminal Justice. This department is regularly top-ranked criminal justice programs by the Journal of Criminal Justice Education. There are five affiliate research institutes and centers that provide additional opportunities for students: the Division of Governmental Studies and Services, the Institute for the Study of Intercommunal Conflict, the Thomas S. Foley Institute for Public Policy and Public Service, the Washington State Institute for Community Oriented Policy (WSICOP), and the Western Institute for Community Oriented Public Safety (WRICOPS). Students have been placed in internships with over 50 different agencies and organizations, such as the Anti- Defamation League and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF).

Eastern Washington University: Eastern Washington University's Department of Sociology and Justice Studies offers a minor and a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Nine full-time faculty teach for the department and have strong focuses on juvenile delinquency and criminal justices ethics. All criminal justice students are required to take three foundation courses: Foundations of Social and Behavioral Sciences Theory, Introductory Statistics for the Social Sciences, and Integrated Social Science Methods. Students can pursue one out of three different concentrations: Law Enforcement, Pre-Graduate Criminology, or Corrections.

University of Washington Tacoma: The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice degree offered by the University of Washington, Tacoma takes a multidisciplinary approach to the understanding of crime and justice within the context of broader social processes. Students may complete the degree online or through traditional on-campus study. This innovative approach to criminal justice emphasizes social justice, diversity, community partnerships, systems thinking, and skill development. The social justice lens of the curriculum focuses on harm reduction and the rehabilitative and restorative approaches to crime and justice while sensitizing students to the human impact of crime, including deviating impacts across social identities and locations. Core courses in the major include Diversity and Social Justice in Criminology; Addictions and Mental Illness; American Criminal Courts; Corrections; and Senior Seminar: Professionalism and Ethical Issues in Criminal Justice. Students may complement their degree with required core electives including Terrorism; Human Trafficking; Criminal Evidence and Investigation; Federal Law Enforcement; Restorative Justice; and other options from a variety of disciplines.

University of Washington-Seattle Campus: The University of Washington-Seattle offers an undergraduate major in Law, Societies, and Justice. The Department of Law, Societies, and Justice takes an interdisciplinary approach to the study of the roles of law in society with a particular focus on comparative socio-legal dynamics and traditions both in the US and abroad. To be admitted to the undergraduate major, students must have a GPA of at least 2.5, meet course prerequisites, and submit a personal statement. Once admitted, students complete four core courses (20 credit hours) plus five courses in the subfields of Comparative Legal Institutions and Rights, as well as participate in at least one departmental seminar. An internship or volunteer experience totaling 100 participation hours is also required. The Department of Law, Societies, and Justice is affiliated with three research centers that can afford students with advanced learning opportunities: the Comparative Law and Society Studies Center, the Harry Bridges Center for Labor Studies, and the Center for Human Rights.

Notable Alumni from Washington Universities

  • Seattle, WA Chief of Police John Diaz – University of Washington, Skyline College (CA), Boston University (MA)

  • Snohomish County, WA Sheriff John Lovick – Shoreline Community College (WA), Northwestern State College (LA)

  • Everett, WA Chief of Police Kathy Atwood – Seattle University

  • Kitsap County, WA Sheriff Steve Boyer – Central Washington University

Police Quote:

Frank Rogers, Sheriff of Okanogan County in Washington

Source

Washington Criminal Justice Careers

With strong population growth, Washington provides many career and employment opportunities for criminal justice graduates. According to the Washington State Employment Security agency, in-demand criminal justice jobs include correctional officers and jailers, police and sheriff's patrol officers, paralegals, first line supervisors of police and detectives, and probation officers.

State agencies that hire criminal justice graduates include the Department of Corrections, State Patrol, and others. Many state agencies, such as the Department of Corrections, provide employees with generous benefits packages that include tuition reimbursement, educational incentives, flexible working schedules, and a wide array of retirement options.

The average annual salary for Washington police officers is $74,170 while first-line supervisors make an average salary of $97,830.6,8 Correctional officers in the state make an average salary of $50,270 per year and detectives and criminal investigators make an average of $81,130 per year.5,7 Paralegals working in law firms and government agencies earn an average of $57,230 per year.9

Washington Criminal Justice Salary and Jobs

Correctional Officers and Jailers6,470$50,270
First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives2,290$97,830
Detectives and Criminal Investigators2,350$81,130
Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers8,770$74,170

Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2015.5,6,7,8

Washington's Criminal Justice Employment Outlook

As of May 2016, the unemployment rate for Washington State was 5.8%, above the national average of 4.7%.10 Washington's 10-year unemployment rate peaked at 10.2% in March 2010, while the 10-year low was 4.8% in March 2008.10 Government-related employment is a good proxy for criminal justice jobs in Washington. Projections Central includes the following criminal justice job estimates for Washington:

  • Police and Sheriff Patrol: 430 annual openings; 46% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 24% holding an associate's degree.11,12

  • Correctional Officers: 250 annual openings; 37% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 15% holding a post-secondary certificate.11,13

  • Detectives and Criminal Investigators: 80 annual openings; 37% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 21% holding an associate's degree.11,14

  • Security Guards: 900 annual openings; 4% in these positions report completing at least some college.11,15

  • Paralegals and Legal Assistants: 190 annual openings; 86% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 30% holding an associate's degree and 44% holding a bachelor's degree.11,16

Estimates for open positions are based on expectations for jobs growth and replacements.

The Mercatus Center is a conservative think tank that rated and analyzed the long-term solvency of each state's government. An analysis of the state's budgeting process, cash and tax handling, and pensions ranked Washington 24th in the nation.17 This indicates that the state is relatively well-positioned to continue to pay out employee pensions.

Washington Criminal Justice Career Interviews

  • Steve Boyer, Kitsap County Sheriff

  • Frank Rogers, Okanogan County Sheriff

  • David Brown, Skamania County Sheriff

  • Rick Grimstead, Skagit County Sheriff

  • Bill Elfo, Whatcom County Sheriff

Featured Online Programs

Explore program formats, transfer requirements, financial aid packages, and more by contacting the schools below.

Directory of Not-for-Profit Washington Universities Offering Campus-based and Online Criminal Justice Degrees

If you are interested in earning a Washington criminal justice degree, we recommend finding an accredited campus-based or online criminal justice program in the state.

Tip: If you don't live near a campus-based school that offers a program of interest, consider an online degree or a university in an adjacent state (Idaho or Oregon).

Schools with Online and On-Campus Criminal Justice Programs

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the "Data, Student Reviews and Other Information" section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Central Washington University (Ellensburg, WA)Bachelor of Arts | Law and Justice (online or on-campus)Master of Science | Law and Justice

Centralia College (Centralia)Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice (online)Associate of Technical Arts | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Technical Arts | Criminal JusticeCertificate of Proficiency | Crime Scene Investigation

City University of Seattle (Seattle)Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Bachelor of Science | Criminal Justice: Cyber Forensic InvestigationMaster of Science | Information Security

Edmonds Community College (Lynnwood)Associate of Applied Science | Emergency Management and Business ContinuityAssociate of Technical Arts | Information Security and Digital ForensicsBachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice (online)Certificate | Digital ForensicsCertificate of Completion | Computer ForensicsCertificate | Emergency Management and Business Continuity

Northwest University (Kirkland)Bachelor of Arts | Public Safety Administration (online)

Pierce College (Lakewood; Puyallup)Associate Degree | Criminal JusticeAssociate Degree | Homeland Security Emergency Management (online)Certificate | Explorer/ Cadet Pre-Law EnforcementCertificate | Forensic TechnicianCertificate | Law Enforcement OfficerCertificate | Reserve Pre-Law EnforcementCertificate | Homeland Security Emergency Management (online)

Shoreline Community College (Shoreline)Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Associate of Applied Arts and Sciences | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Certificate | Child Advocacy Studies

University of Washington, Tacoma (Tacoma)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Minor | Criminal Justice

Washington State University (Pullman)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Master of Arts | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)PhD | Criminal Justice and CriminologyMinor | Criminal Justice

Student Review: "I thoroughly enjoyed the Criminal Justice program at Washington State University. The professors were incredibly knowledgeable and readily available for any and all questions students had. They also demonstrated the material in a way that was easy to understand and apply to daily life. I believe my professors genuinely cared about the topics they taught and the students present. I loved how straight forward the program was. The selection of classes was huge so students in this program could pick and chose what classes they wanted to take. I loved the variety and the different courses provided. I also liked the easiness of the program, as it is a very smooth and fairly easy degree to obtain. However, I do believe it could have been more challenging. Although I was challenged at times, I do believe they could improve the program by implementing more advanced courses that were a bit more challenging. However, I overall loved this program and I am glad I obtained my BA in Criminal Justice."

stars-4

— Student at Washington State University

Schools with On-Campus Criminal Justice Programs Only

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the "Data, Student Reviews and Other Information" section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Bellevue College (Bellevue, WA)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice

Big Bend Community College (Moses Lake, WA)Associate in Arts and Science | Criminal Justice (transfer degree)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice

Columbia Basin College (Pasco)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Forensic ScienceAssociate of Applied Science | CybersecurityBachelor of Applied Science | Cybersecurity

Everett Community College (Everett)Associate of Arts | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice

Student Review: "Everett Community College had a criminal justice program that was challenging, but also had some aspects that I would have liked to have changed. The online / hybrid opportunities worked very well for something like me attempting to balance out work and school, and the professors at the school, as comparable to other community colleges, were not only subject matter experts but did not shy away from relevant inquiries on their subjects. In contrast, a few of the entry criminal justice classes could use some definite work quite frequently, the professors would focus more time on social aspects of the class and bonding as classmates instead of giving sufficient time to teach and learn the material. Despite this one downfall, with its easily navigable online system and expert professors in the higher criminal justice classes, I found the program at this college to be very satisfactory."

stars-4

— Student at Everett Community College

Gonzaga University (Spokane)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal JusticeMinor | Criminal Justice

Student Review: "The Criminal Justice program at Gonzaga University provides students with the "cut-and-dry" aspects of the justice system combined with real world experience from educated professors. The information compiled with decades of experiences allows the students imagine themselves working in the Criminal Justice System. I enjoyed the fact that all my professors had worked as lawyers, case managers, detectives, and even as prison guards to give the students and myself first hand information. Being located in Spokane allowed me to work locally with business instead of just taking notes in class. I was able to work with a number of foster care businesses and count it towards credits in class. What I didn't like about the program is the lack of structure and funding for research. The professors are fantastic I just wish I could have been granted money to work with some of them independently."

stars-4

— Student at Gonzaga University

Grays Harbor College (Aberdeen)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeCertificate of Completion | Criminal Justice

Green River Community College (Auburn)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Forensic TechnologyCertificate | CorrectionsCertificate | Law EnforcementCertificate | Forensic and Fingerprint Technology

Highline Community College (Des Moines)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Homeland Security Emergency ManagementCertificate | Introduction to Homeland SecurityCertificate | Private Security AcademyCertificate | Fraud InvestigationCertificate | Maritime SecurityCertificate | Business Crisis and Continuity Management

Lower Columbia College (Longview)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Arts | Criminal Justice

Olympic College (Bremerton)Associate of Arts | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Homeland Security/ Emergency ManagementCertificate of Completion | Homeland Security/ Emergency Management

Saint Martin's University (Lacey)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal JusticeMinor | Criminal Justice

Seattle University (Seattle)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice: Administration of JusticeBachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice: Criminology and Criminal Justice TheoryBachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice: Forensic PsychologyBachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice: Forensic ScienceMaster of Arts | Criminal JusticeMaster of Arts | Criminal Justice: Criminal Justice Research and EvaluationMaster of Arts | Criminal Justice: VictimologyMaster of Arts | Criminal Justice: Investigative CriminologyMasters of Criminal Justice/Juris Doctor | Joint Degree programMinor | Criminal JusticePost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Crime Analysis

Skagit Valley College (Mount Vernon)Associate of Technical Arts | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Technical Arts | Parks Service and ProtectionAssociate of Technical Arts | Homeland Security Emergency ManagementCertificate | Parks Laws Enforcement AcademyCertificate | Homeland Security Emergency ManagementCertificate | Basic Law Enforcement Reserve AcademyCertificate | Community PolicingCertificate | CorrectionsCertificate | Investigative TechniquesCertificate | Legal Principles in PolicingCertificate | Private and Commercial SecurityCertificate | Public Safety CommunicationsCertificate | Public Safety Information Officer

Spokane Community College (Spokane)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Arts | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Law Enforcement

University of Washington (Seattle)Bachelor of Arts | Law, Society, and JusticeMinor | Law, Society, and Justice

Student Review: "Overall the criminal justice program at my school was very interesting! I learned a lot of information regarding the disparities in our legal system as well as the socioeconomic issues in the criminal justice system. For example my best class was learning about the war on drugs and the bias against minorities. However, I would suggest UW makes their criminal justice program a bit more interactive. Since the campus is so big it was difficult getting the best learning experience at times. It was especially nice having a professor who was previously a police officer who could speak in depth on the criminal justice system in Washington State."

stars-3

— Krislyn H., student at University of Washington
Student Review: "While in college, I led many of my group and collaborative assignments, with other students relying heavily on my organizational and time management skills. I possess strong communication and negotiation abilities, as well as keen analytical skills. While attending the Paralegal Program through the University of Washington, I learned how to be an effective and integral part in the legal field. Over the span of the past 9 months I learned how to conduct legal research, how to find and apply legal terminology and precedents, all of which proved to be vital skills in order to communicate effectively in legal matters."

stars-3

— Student at the University of Washington
Student Review: "I think the Criminal Justice program at the University of Washington has been fantastic. I've learned so many new things that helped ignite my passion for this field. Before starting the program, I had an almost non-existent understanding of the complexities and challenges of the criminal justice system in the United States, but now I feel prepared to contribute to society with the knowledge acquired. The program features many interesting classes that range from criminal law (courts), to mental illness and crime. The electives are equally interesting, as you can learn about different topics such as abnormal psychology and digital forensics. Overall, I strongly recommend this program to anybody interested in careers in the criminal justice setting."

stars-5

— Student at the University of Washington

Walla Walla Community College (Walla Walla)Associate of Arts | Criminal Justice

Wenatchee Valley College (Wenatchee)Associate of Technical Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Applied Science | Criminal Justice (transfer degree)Certificate | Corrections

Western Washington University (Bellingham)Bachelor of Science | Sociology: Criminology and Criminal JusticeMinor | Criminology/Sociology of Law

Whatcom Community College (Bellingham)Associate of Science | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Criminal Justice

Yakima Valley Community College (Yakima)Associate of Applied Science | Criminal JusticeAssociate of Arts | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Communications/ Call TakerCertificate | CorrectionalCertificate | Crime Scene InvestigationCertificate | Police Clerk/Support Specialist

References:1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/2. Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-public-colleges/index.php3. College Factual Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/rankings/top-ranked/4. US News Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/criminal-justice/rankings5. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Correctional Officers and Jailers https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333012.htm6. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes331012.htm7. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Detectives and Criminal Investigators: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333021.htm8. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333051.htm9. Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes232011.htm10. Y Charts 10 Year Unemployment Chart: https://ycharts.com/indicators/washington_unemployment_rate11. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm12. O*Net OnLine, Police Patrol Officers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/33-3051.0113. O*Net OnLine, Correctional Officers and Jailers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-3012.0014. O*Net OnLine, Police Detectives: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-3021.0115. O*Net OnLine, Security Guards: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-9032.0016. O*Net OnLine, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/23-2011.0017. Mercatus Center, George Mason University, Ranking the States by Fiscal Condition 2016 Edition: https://www.mercatus.org/statefiscalrankings

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