Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology
Investigate. Innovate. Impact.
Since 1935, WSU’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology has been a pioneer in the field. Originally founded with guidance from FBI Director J. Edgar Hoover to train law enforcement officers, the program quickly expanded under Dr. Vivian Anderson Leonard to become one of the nation’s first academic departments dedicated to the study of policing, law, and justice. Today, we continue that legacy—blending history, research, and real-world application to prepare students for careers that shape the future of criminal justice.
Our faculty are renowned scholars and practitioners, leading cutting-edge research on pressing issues like policing, corrections, cybercrime, and policy reform. With flexible degree options, including on-campus and online programs, students gain critical thinking skills, hands-on experience, and ethical foundation needed to lead in law enforcement, public policy, legal studies, and beyond. Shaping the Future of Criminal Justice
Our department is a nationally recognized leader in research, education, and policy innovation. Ranked #2 as the best criminal justice programs in Washington State, we are a hub for students, faculty, and community partners dedicated to addressing the most pressing issues in crime, justice, and public safety.
Undergraduate
Undergraduates benefit from a policy-focused curriculum that prepares them both for careers and future study, learning from leaders in the field.
Graduate
Graduate students work closely with faculty, pursuing a more comprehensive understanding of the field of criminal justice and developing as scholars and researchers.
Meet our Faculty
Department faculty have a wide range of research and teaching interests, and the department is nationally and internationally recognized for its scholarship.
Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology
New research from Melanie-Angela Nueilly (Wolf), Criminal Justice and Criminology
Melanie-Angela Neuilly (Wolf), professor and chair of the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, recently published new research in the International Journal of Legal Medicine about the implications of the 2017 change in the French death certificate for the accuracy of mortality statistics worldwide.
Three WSU faculty members receive Governor’s Outstanding Leadership Award
Gov. Bob Ferguson recently recognized three Washington State University faculty members with the 2026 Governor’s Outstanding Leadership Award for their leadership and accomplishments in public service.
Public data exchange rolls out new police use-of-force dashboards
Law enforcement and policymakers across Washington state now have a more robust tool to objectively analyze the reportable use of force by police, compare outcomes with similar agencies, and build trust with the communities they serve.
AI legal agent designed to guide police during domestic violence calls
Researchers from the WSU Complex Social Interactions (CSI) Lab were featured in coverage from New Atlas on their research and development of open-source AI platforms designed to support information gathering during police investigations.