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Criminal Justice Degrees in California

A Criminal Justice education will prepare you for a career in a variety of fields whether it be law enforcement, corrections, homeland security, immigration, paralegal studies, or forensics. Start your search for criminal justice degrees in California here!

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The Criminal Justice Degree Programs in California offered by the schools on this site focus their curriculum on criminal justice theory, criminal law, research methodology and data analysis, and criminalistics. Graduates of the following programs will have an understanding of legal, criminal and scientific issues affecting our society.

"University of Phoenix has emerged as one of the Nation's leaders in criminal justice education and has campus locations throughout California, including online programs. Click here to request information from one of these campuses." Editor's Note

With a degree in Criminal Justice most graduates can find entry-level employment with local, state and federal criminal justice agencies in California. Many graduates with bachelor's degrees in criminal justice have continued with their education, earning Master's Degrees and PhDs, earning larger salaries as they progress in their careers and education. As a side note, graduates of master's degree programs in criminal justice are qualified to to teach at community colleges in California.

Criminal Justice Careers in California

The California Department of Justice in Sacramento is an employer of many individuals with criminal justice and related degrees. Also, the California Criminal Justice System in general is an excellent place to find employment after earning a criminal justice degree or related degree.

Jobs in all fields of 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 picked up pace as law firms, government agencies, health care organizations, banks and corporations are moving to decrease expenses. Paralegals conduct much of the work a lawyer would do other than providing legal advice. Paralegals interview clients, investigate cases, conduct legal research and many other legal related duties. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 22% job growth in this field through 2016 and those with formal training can expect to see the best career opportunities. Read about the paralegal programs offered in California.

Online Criminal Justice Degree Programs in California

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Short on time? Click Here to request free information from all of our fully accredited Criminal Justice degree programs.

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 Online: University of Phoenix will 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.I.S.M. - Enterprise Information Security
M.P.A. - Homeland Security, Law and Public Policy, or Local Government Mgmt
M.S. in Psychology - Terrorism & Security or Crisis Mgmt and Response
Ph.D. in Human Services - CJ
Ph.D. in Public Policy & Admin - CJ, Homeland Security Policy, or Public Safety 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

Briarwood College:

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

Bryant & Stratton College:

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

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

Devry University:

Bachelor of Technical Management - CJ

Drexel University:

BS in Criminal Justice (Online)

Eastern Kentucky University:

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

Everest College Phoenix Online :

Associate's in Criminal Investigations
AA in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

Everest University Online:

Associate's in Criminal Investigations
Associate's in Homeland Security
Associate's in CJ
Associate's in Paralegal
Bachelor's in Homeland Security
Bachelor's in CJ
Bachelor's in Paralegal

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

Rasmussen College Online:

Associate's in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
Associate's in Criminal Justice
AACJ - Corrections
AACJ - Crime Scene Evidence
AACJ - Law Enforcement
Associate's in Accounting - Financial Investigation
Associate's - Paralegal
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Certificate - Police Officer Education

Regis University:

Bachelor of Arts in Communication
Bachelor of Science in Criminology
Master of Nonprofit Management
Master of Science in Criminology

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

South University Online:

Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Cyber Crime
Bachelor's CJ - Juvenile Justice
Bachelor's CJ - Crime Scene Investigation
Bachelor's CJ - Law Enforcement
Master's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
Master's in CJ - Corrections
Master's in CJ - Cyber Crime

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

University of the Rockies - Online:

Master's of Arts in Psychology, Criminology and Justice Studies
Doctor of Psychology, Criminology and Justice Studies

Upper Iowa University:

BS in Criminal Justice

Utica College:

Bachelor's in Cybersecurity - Cybercrime Investigations & Forensics
Bachelor's in Cybersecurity - Information Assurance
Bachelor's in Economic Crime Investigation
Executive Master's in Economic Crime Management
MBA in Fraud Management
M.P.A. - Homeland Security, Law and Public Policy, or Local Government Mgmt
MS in Criminal Justice Administration - Planning and Leadership

Virginia College:

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

Request information to learn more about these as well as other programs at Virginia College.

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

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Orange County, San Diego, San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and Inland Empire

Chicago School of Professional Psychology:

Programs Offered: PsyD in Clinical Forensic Psychology

Click a Location to Request Program Information => Southern California

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.

Choose the location nearest you to request program information =>

Bay Area Campuses: Concord, Livermore, Oakland, San Jose, Fremont, Novato, San Francisco, Pleasanton
Central Valley Campuses: Bakersfield, Visalia, Fresno
Sacramento Valley Campuses: Beale AFB, Elk Grove, Sacramento (Crowne Corporate Center), Sacramento (Gateway Oaks), Modesto, Rancho Cordova, Suisun City (Fairfield), Lathrop, Chico, Roseville
San Diego Area Campuses: Palm Desert, San Diego (Kearny Mesa), San Diego (Rancho Bernardo), San Diego (Stonecrest), Chula Vista, Imperial (El Centro), Oceanside, San Marcos
Southern California Campuses: Culver City, Gardena, Lancaster, Ontario, Foothill Ranch, Costa Mesa, Woodland Hills, Diamond Bar, La Mirada, Murrieta, Pasadena, San Bernardino, Oxnard

DeVry University:

Programs Offered: Bachelor's and Master's | Technical Management - Criminal Justice, Certified Fraud Examiner

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Fremont (Undergrad), Pomona (Undergrad), Sherman Oaks (Undergrad), Fremont (grad), Irvine, Long Beach (Grad), Pomona (Grad), Sacramento, San Diego, San Francisco, and Sherman Oaks (Grad).

Everest College:

Programs Offered: Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

Click a Location to Request Program Information => Ontario Metro.

Fremont College:

Programs Offered: American Bar Association (ABA) Approved Associate's of Arts in Paralegal Studies

Click a Location to Request Program Information => Cerritos, CA.

Heald College:

Programs Offered: Associate's and Diploma | Criminal Justice, Legal Assistant

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Concord, Fresno, Hayward, San Jose, Salinas, Rancho Cordova - Sacramento, Roseville - Sacramento, San Francisco and Stockton.

Kaplan College:

Programs Offered: Associate's | Criminal Justice, Legal Administrative Assistant, Paralegal Studies

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
San Diego, North County (San Diego), Panorama City, Sacramento, Modesto, Palm Springs, Bakersfield, Fresno, and Stockton.

North-West College:

Programs Offered: Diploma in Paralegal Studies

Click a Location to Request Program Information => Pasadena, CA

Platt College:

Programs Offered: Associate's in Paralegal Studies

Click a Location to Request Program Information => Los Angeles, Ontario.

San Joaquin Valley College:

Programs Offered: Associate's | Corrections Officer

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Bakersfield, Fresno, Rancho Cucamonga, Visalia, Modesto, and Rancho Cordova.

Santa Barbara Business College:

Programs Offered: Diploma, Associate's | Criminal Justice, Paralegal

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Ventura, Bakersfield, Santa Maria or Palm Desert

Summit Career College:

Programs Offered: Diploma | Legal Office Assistant

Click a Location to Request Program Information => Colton, CA.

United Education Institute:

Programs Offered: Diploma | Criminal Justice

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Chula Vista, El Monte, Huntington Park, San Diego or Van Nuys

University of California - Irvine:

Programs Offered: Certificate in Paralegal Studies.

Click a Location to Request Program Information => Irvine, CA.

Western Career College:

Programs Offered: Associate's | Criminal Justice

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Citrus Heights, Antioch, San Leandro, Stockton, and Pleasant Hill.

Westwood College:

Programs Offered: Associate's, Bachelor's | Criminal Justice, Computer Forensics, Paralegal

Click a Location to Request Program Information =>
Anaheim, Los Angeles, Inland Empire, South Bay