The Psychology Department offers many opportunities for students to get involved in research. Students can earn Departmental credit (PSYCH 499), for working in faculty members' labs as part of their research teams. PSYCH 499 opportunities are listed on the psych department website under Undergraduate, Research 499.
Some examples of research studies that may be of interest to students planning a career in criminal justice are:
- Assessing anti-social behavior
- Stereotyping and prejudice
- Substance abuse and assault
- Belief, self-esteem, and bias
- Stereotyping and stigmatization
- Stress and coping project
- Family relationships study
Typical lab duties and experiences that may be especially valuable for students with an interest in criminal justice are:
- Data collection and management
- Interviewing subjects
- Attending lab meetings
- Data analysis
- Coding video/audio tapes
- Library research
To find out about getting involved in research across campus, and to learn about research training grants available for students, visit the Undergraduate Research Program webpage at http://www.washington.edu/research/urp/
Related Courses
Courses that may be of interest to students planning a career in criminal justice:
| Code | Title |
|---|---|
| ANTH 372 | Anthropology of Law |
| ANTH 439 | Law in Changing Societies |
| OE 200 | Introduction to the Law |
| PHIL 114 | Philosophical Issues in the Law |
| PSYCH 467 | Eyewitness Testimony |
| SIS 460 | Law, State & Society |
| SOC 371 | Criminology |
| SOC 372 | Introduction to Criminal Justice |
| SOC 472 | Juvenile Delinquency |
| SO JU 363 | Law in Society |
| SO JU 425 | Introduction to the American Court System |
| SO JU 440 | Criminal Law & Procedure |
| SO JU 473 | Corrections |
| SO JU 471 | Persuasion |
Check the quarterly Time Schedule for course availability and times.
Internship and Volunteer Opportunities
Students who participate in internships and volunteer work get the chance to explore different career options on a first-hand basis. Credit is available for this type of experiential learning, via PSYCH 497 (Fieldwork Seminar), or GEN ST 350 (Independent Fieldwork).
Psychology majors interested in the criminal justice field have previously found internship and volunteer positions at
King County Prosecuting Attorney's Office
My supervisor did an excellent job in guiding me throughout the internship. She thoroughly explained expectations and answered my questions and was always excited to see me and very supportive and enthusiastic about the work I did. - former intern
Northwest Institute for Restorative Justice
Work with juvenile and adult offenders. Opportunities in educational programs and victim/offender mediation--helping offenders to confront the human reality of what they've done.
http://www.restorejustice.org/
Seattle Police Department
Working with the Department's Victim Support Team, interns provide support, resource location, and short-term safety planning to victims of domestic violence.
http://www.seattle.gov/police/vst/
TeamChild
A legal advocacy project for youth involved in the juvenile justice system, TeamChild seeks to address the underlying causes of the youth's delinquency. Interns' duties may include tutoring clients, analyzing school records, and advocating for clients at school meetings.
Special Tips
Students interested in attending law school should see a pre-law adviser. Contact Nancy Hennes in the Undergraduate Advising Center, 171 Mary Gates Hall, 543-4883
Think about a minor in:
Society & Justice
215 Smith Hall, 543-1824
https://lsj.washington.edu/Political Science
101 Gowen Hall, 543-2780
http://depts.washington.edu/polisci/
Interested in forensic psychology? Forensic psychology is the application of psychology to questions and issues relating to law and the legal system. For more information about this field, check out the American Board of Forensic Psychology website at http://www.abfp.com/
For students who are interested in pursuing a graduate degree in criminal justice or criminology, check out this website with state by state listings of programs at https://www.asc41.com/links/gradPrograms.html