Program Overview
The Criminal Justice Certificate Program includes an interdisciplinary sequence of classes and an internship, for students interested in the American criminal and juvenile legal systems. Certificate students select courses in legal studies and from the departments of Sociology, Political Science, Social Work, Psychology, Gender and Women’s Studies, Anthropology, History, Human Development and Family Studies, Rehabilitation Psychology, Integrated Liberal Studies, and Counseling Psychology. Students gain a broad understanding of the philosophy, theories, and operation of the adult and juvenile justice systems.
Students who declare Fall 2025 or later will take a minimum of six total courses (16 credits). Students must complete one course from each of the three defined groups and at least three (3) additional elective courses:
- Criminal Justice System: Legal Studies 131
- Race & Justice Studies
- Internship/Fieldwork/Research Seminar
- Electives
If you already declared the Criminal Justice certificate, your requirements will remain the same as before. Your dars report will reflect the specific requirements for the CJ certificate given your declaration date.
If you declared prior to Fall 2025 but would prefer some of the flexibility the new requirements allow for, please complete this Google form.
Advisors will follow-up with interested students.
To view courses that fulfill Criminal Justice certificate requirements, please select a declaration date:
Declaring the Criminal Justice Certificate
There are no pre-requisites to declare the criminal justice certificate. Any student may declare the certificate, no matter what major or school they are in.
Students are encouraged to declare the certificate as early as possible within their college careers in order to prepare for field work/internship/research seminar course.
To declare, please review this entire webpage and then complete this form to declare the criminal justice certificate.
Program Requirement
Jump to the UW Undergraduate Guide
Program Advising
Jump to the Advising Hours and Appointments