Criminal Justice Degrees in California

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A criminal justice degree will prepare you for a career in a variety of fields: law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, immigration, paralegal studies and forensics, among others. Start your search for criminal justice degrees in California here!

The criminal justice degrees in California offered by the schools on this site all teach criminal justice theory, criminal law, research methodology and data analysis, and criminalistics. Graduates of the following programs will have an understanding of the legal, criminal and sociological issues affecting our society.

"The University of Phoenix has emerged as one of the nation's leaders in criminal justice education and has campus locations throughout California. For those who don't have a school nearby or want more flexibility, U of P also offers online programs. Click here to request information from one of these campuses." Editor's Note

With a criminal justice degree in California, most graduates can find entry-level employment with local, state and federal criminal justice agencies across the state. Many graduates with bachelor's degrees in criminal justice have continued with their education, earning Master's Degrees and PhDs. With these higher-level degrees, they earn more and have better chances for promotion. As a side note, graduates of master's degree programs in criminal justice are qualified to teach at community colleges in California.

Criminal Justice Careers in California

The California Department of Justice in Sacramento employs many people with criminal justice and related degrees. Also, the California Criminal Justice System is an excellent place to find employment after earning a criminal justice degree or another related degree (see below).

Jobs in California law enforcement are hot places to start a career after earning your degree in criminal justice. Law enforcement jobs in California pay well and provide solid benefits and pensions/retirement plans. Right now some of the best paying criminal justice careers in California are as police officers with the LAPD, San Jose Police, San Francisco Police, and San Diego Police. Check out our How to become an LAPD police officer article today. Many police officers have found that a degree in criminal justice helped them get accepted to a California police academy and feel more prepared once they were there.

The paralegal profession in California has remained strong as law firms, government agencies, health care organizations, banks and corporations are moving to lower costs for their clients. Paralegals do much of the work lawyers used to do other than providing legal advice. Paralegals interview clients, investigate cases, conduct legal research, write legal briefs and perform many other legal duties. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 28% job growth in this field through 2018, and those with formal training can expect to see the best career opportunities. Read about the paralegal programs offered in California.

— Featured Schools in California —

Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs in California

= Staff Recommended

Liberty University Online: Liberty University is regionally accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). The Online Education Database has ranked Liberty University among the top 10 online colleges in the nation for two years in a row.

Associate's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

University of Phoenix: University of Phoenix can help prepare you for careers in the field of criminal justice wherever you reside. University of Phoenix is the largest private university in the country and is dedicated to their students.

Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice
MS in Administration of Justice and Security
Information Systems Security Certificate

Walden University Online: Regionally accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association, which is one of six accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

B.S. in CJ - Homeland Security
B.S. in CJ - Management & Administration
B.S. in CJ - Crime and Criminals
B.S. in CJ - Information Systems Security
M.P.A. - Homeland Security, Law and Public Policy, or Local Government Mgmt

Request free information from Walden University to learn more about their programs

American InterContinental University:

Associates in Criminal Justice Administration
BSCJ - Law Enforcement
BSCJ - Forensic Science
BSCJ - Special Populations

Request free information from AIU to learn more about these programs.

Anna Maria College:

Bachelor's in Fire Science
Master's in Emergency Management
Master's in Fire Science

Ashford University:

BA in Social Science - CJ
BA in Organizational Management - CJ
BA in Organizational Management - Public Safety

Boston University: Well known and respected in the law enforcement community as a top tier master's education. Many federal, city, county, and state law enforcement professionals have earned their master's degree from Boston University.

Master's - Criminal Justice

Bowling Green State University:

Master's in CJ

Berkeley College Online:

Associate's in Justice Studies - CJ
Bachelor's in Justice Studies - CJ

Capella University:

BS in Public Safety - CJ
BS in Public Safety - Emergency Management
BS in Public Safety - Homeland Security
MS in Public Safety - CJ, Emergency Management, or Leadership
PhD Programs - CJ, Emergency Management, and Public Safety Leadership

Request free information from Capella University to learn more.

Colorado Technical University Online:

AS in CJ - Stonecliffe College Online
AS in Paralegal Studies
BS in CJ
MS in Management - Criminal Justice

Request free information from CTU Online to learn more about their programs.

Creighton University:

Online Master of Negotiation and Dispute Resolution - International Concentration

Eastern Kentucky University:

Bachelor's in Corrections and Juvenile Justice Studies
Master's in Correctional/Juvenile Justice Studies

Globe University:

Certificate in Paralegal
Associate's in CJ
Associate's in Paralegal
Bachelor's in CJ
Bachelor's in Paralegal

Kaplan University:

Certificate - Crime Scene Technician
Certificate - Management and Supervision
AAS in CJ
AAS in Fire Science
Bachelor's in - CJ, Corrections, Computer Crime, Crime Scene Investigation, Forensic Psychology, Homeland Security, Juvenile Justice, Law Enforcement, CJ Administration and Management, Fire & Emergency Management, Fire Science, International & Comparative CJ

Keiser University:

Associate's in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Homeland Security
Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Homeland Security
Bachelor's in Legal Studies

Lincoln College Online:

B.S. in Criminal Justice and the Study of the Criminal Mind
B.S in Information Management and Security

Request free information from Lincoln College to learn more about these programs.

Miller-Motte College Online:

Bachelor of Science in CJ

Minnesota School of Business Online:

Associate's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

Northwestern College:

AA in Criminal Justice

Portland State University:

Bachelor's in Criminology and Criminal Justice

Post University Online:

Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Legal Studies

Saint Joseph's University Online:

Certificate in Behavior Analysis
Master of Science in Criminal Justice
Master of Science in CJ - Behavior Analysis Specialization
Master of Science in CJ - Homeland Security Specialization

Saint Leo University: Distance Learning

Bachelor's in Homeland Security

Strayer University Online:

Associate's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Business Administration - Legal Studies
Bachelor's Criminal Justice - Computer Security & Forensics
Bachelor's - Criminal Justice Administration
Bachelor's - Homeland Security & Administration
Bachelor's - Homeland Security Technology

Tiffin University:

Bachelor of Criminal Justice - Justice Administration
Master's - Crime Analysis
Master's - Criminal Behavior
Master's - Homeland Security Administration
Master's - Justice Administration

University of Cincinnati:

Master's in Criminal Justice

Virginia College: Virginia College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS), which is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education. Virginia College is also recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

AA in Criminal Justice
Associate's in Paralegal Studies
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

Westwood College Online:

Associate Degree - Paralegal
Bachelor Degree - Criminal Justice

Colleges in California Offering Criminal Justice Campus Programs

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Argosy University:

Programs Offered: Master's in Forensic Psychology, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, BS in Criminal Justice

Chicago School of Professional Psychology:

Southern California

Programs Offered: PsyD in Clinical Forensic Psychology

University of Phoenix:

University of Phoenix offers accredited degree programs—Criminal Justice, Business, Technology, Education, Health Care or other fields—for working adults at campuses in California.

Everest College: