Students seeking criminal justice schools in California will find themselves in good company: the state employs more security and legal service professionals than any other state. Criminal justice schools in California come in a variety of shapes and sizes. There are a variety of criminal justice education programs that can prepare students for fulfilling careers in the legal and protective services fields, whether they want to research laws to support a court case as a paralegal, help rehabilitate convicts as a corrections officer, or check for signs of arson as a fire investigator.
Finding the appropriate school for many students is going beyond rankings and test results. Other indicators, such as student population and degree levels and concentrations available, might help narrow the selection. This article can assist students in locating criminal justice schools in California that not only fulfil their academic objectives but also their lifestyle and financial constraints.
Below are some of the best criminal justice schools in California.
Fresno Pacific University
Students interested in pursuing a career in law enforcement, prisons, mediation, paralegal, administration, or social services can choose from a variety of undergraduate degree choices at Fresno Pacific University. A Bachelor of Arts degree in criminal justice or pre-law, a graduate certificate in restorative justice, and an evening BA degree completion program in criminology and restorative justice, geared toward those interested in the study of criminal justice practices rather than law enforcement, are all available at Fresno. These courses are meant to educate students for careers in the criminal justice system while also laying the groundwork for continued education.
Founded In: 1944
Tuition: $33,452
ACT/SAT: 1080-1190/21-25
Acceptance Rate: 64%
GPA: 2.4 minimum
Rank: 1
Contact: 559-453-2000
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs open at Fresno Pacific University for students
- Donor’s Scholarship: Educational Fund
- RN to BSN Isnardi Scholarship: Educational Fund
- The Martin Luther King Jr. & Fannie Lou Hamer Scholarship: Educational Fund
- The Samaritan Scholarship: Educational Fund
Apply for Admission
National University
For students interested in a career in criminal justice, National University offers a variety of degree choices, including online degrees. Students can acquire a certificate or BS degree in criminal justice administration, a BS degree in homeland security and disaster management, or a master’s degree in criminal justice as a minor. In addition, National University provides a number of transition programs that allow students to move from a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration to a master’s degree in criminal justice administration, forensic science, public administration, or juvenile justice. Prior experience, such as previous employment, military training, community service, and non-credit courses, may be eligible for credit.
Founded In: 1971
Tuition: $13,320
ACT/SAT: Test Optional
Acceptance Rate: 89.5%
GPA: 2.75
Rank: 2
Contact: 855-355-6288
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs open at National University for students
- Transfer to Success Scholarship: Educational Fund
- Collegiate Honor Award: Up to $2,000
- Presidential Tuition Scholarship: Up to $2,500
- Harmony Scholarship: Educational Fund
Apply for Admission
California State University, Los Angeles
The Hertzberg-Davis Forensic Science Center, which houses both instruction and laboratory research, houses the School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics at California State University, Los Angeles. A Bachelor’s of Science or Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice, as well as a Master’s of Science in Criminalistics, are available. Theory, research, statistics, juvenile justice, ethics, forensics, and contemporary criminal processes are all included in criminal justice majors’ coursework. The faculty members are active researchers with special interests in forensic evidence, juvenile gangs, HIV/AIDS, and drug addiction. Students can study the principles of DNA testing, trace evidence analysis, and testing banned drugs in forensic laboratories.
Founded In: 1947
Tuition: Commuter $18,468, On-campus $29,077, Off-campus $29,208
ACT/SAT: Test Optional
Acceptance Rate: 47.8%
GPA: 3.5 minimum
Rank: 3
Contact: 323-343-3000
Financial Aid: N/A
Apply for Admission
California State University, San Bernardino
Students at California State University San Bernardino can minor in criminal justice or pursue a BA or MA degree in crime analysis or criminal justice. The MA degree can be done entirely online or in a mixed format that includes both online and on-campus courses, while the BA program includes some evening and online sessions. Individually selected curriculum focusing on a certain topic such as law enforcement, corrections, parole, or probation can be tailored to a student’s interests in the BA degree. Academic counselling through the Mentor Advising Center, as well as career counselling with faculty specialists, are available to students.
Founded In: 1965
Tuition: $3,483.43 for 6.01+ Units
ACT/SAT: Test Optional
Acceptance Rate: 68.6%
GPA: 2.5 minimum
Rank: 4
Contact: 909-537-5506
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs open at California State University, San Bernardino for students
- Alfred F. and Chella D. Moore Memorial Scholarship: Educational Fund
- CSUSB President’s Academic Excellence Scholarship: Educational Fund
- Harris-Meyers Scholarship: Educational Fund
- Robert and Claire Forsythe Scholarship: Educational Fund
Apply for Admission
California State University, Long Beach
The Department of Criminal Justice at California State University, Long Beach offers both bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice. Certificate programs in applied forensics and high-tech crime are also available. Juvenile delinquency, environmental criminology, judicial processes, and domestic violence are among the fields in which the world-renowned faculty conducts research and publishes. CSUB offers a Master’s of Science in Criminal Justice Off-Campus Accelerated Program with Saturday courses for students who want to devote less time to their education. The Department of Criminal Justice provides students from all walks of life with a variety of educational opportunities.
Founded In: 1949
Tuition: $2,871
ACT/SAT: Test Optional
Acceptance Rate: N/A
GPA: 46%
Rank: 5
Contact: 562-985-8965
Financial Aid: N/A
Apply for Admission
California State University, Fullerton
Students who successfully complete the 120-credit hour program in the Division of Politics, Administration, and Justice at California State University, Fullerton get a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. Crime and Delinquency, The Enforcement Function, Criminal Justice Research Methodology, and Corrections are all part of the 21-unit core curriculum. To supplement the program, criminal justice internships and individual study courses are available. Academically gifted students may choose to join the Alpha Phi Sigma honors organization, and all students in good standing are welcome to join the Criminal Justice Students Association. Private Investigation, Corporate Security Management, Computer Forensics, Crime, and Intelligence Analysis, and Geographic Information Systems are among the Crime and Forensic professional development certifications given by CSUF’s University Extended Education office.
Founded In: 1957
Tuition: In-state $6,953, Out-state $20,612
ACT/SAT: Test Optional
Acceptance Rate: 46%
GPA: Resident 2.5 minimum. Non-resident 3.0 minimum
Rank: 6
Contact: 657-278-3521
Financial Aid: N/A
Apply for Admission
San Diego State University
The San Diego State University (SDSU) School of Public Affairs offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program for students who are returning to school or transferring to SDSU with at least 60 semester hours of college credit. Crime, Law, and Justice; Law in Society; Crime and Behavior; and Criminal Justice and Social Control are all required courses in the bachelor’s degree. Students must complete a practicum, which might be an internship, a field study in local prisons, a study abroad experience, or a research-based experience. The degree requires 120 credit hours to complete and prepares students for a number of occupations as well as graduate studies in criminal justice or law. A Master of Criminal Justice and Criminology is also available at SDSU. The Institute of Public and Urban Affairs, which conducts research and hosts conferences and guest speakers in the areas of public administration, criminal justice administration, and urban planning, is housed in SDSU’s School of Public Affairs.
Founded In: 1897
Tuition: Residents $31,484, Non-residents $43,364
ACT/SAT: Test Optional
Acceptance Rate: 35%
GPA: 2.8 minimum
Rank: 7
Contact: 619-594-6224
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs open at San Diego State University for students
- SDSU Aztec Scholarships: Educational Fund
- Merit Scholarships: $7,500 to $10,000
- SDSU Advantage Scholarship Program: Educational fund
- Presidential Scholars Program: Educational Fund
Apply for Admission
California Baptist University
California Baptist University (CBU) is a private Christian university that provides students with spiritual and academic education. Criminal justice degree programs are designed for students interested in pursuing a career in the criminal justice system while also laying the groundwork for future graduate school work. Criminal justice can be studied as a minor or as part of a bachelor’s degree program. The BS degree may be completed entirely online, and it comprises of lower and upper-division courses as well as degree-specific electives once general education requirements have been satisfied. A master’s degree in forensic psychology is also available at CBU.
Founded In: 1950
Tuition: $48,308
ACT/SAT: Test Optional
Acceptance Rate: 80%
GPA: 3.6
Rank: 8
Contact: 877-228-3616
Financial Aid: Below are some of the best funding programs open at California Baptist University for students
- Trustees Scholarship: $14,500
- Presidents Scholarship: $13,500
- Dean’s Scholarship: $12,500
- Directors Scholarship: $8,000
