As in many states, the crime rate in California has risen steadily over the years, increasing the need for individuals who have successfully completed bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in California. In 2015, violent and property crime rates increased from 2.9 per 100,000 people from 2014 while the homicide rate rose to 4.4 per 100,000 people. Motor vehicle theft rose by almost 11 percent and the arson rate increased by more than two percent.
Despite the fact that crime rates increased, arrest rates decreased with adult arrests dropping over four percent while juvenile arrests dropped around 17 percent. Felony arrests decreased by 29 percent although misdemeanor arrests increased almost nine percent. Of those adult arrests, almost 67 percent resulted in a conviction and many of those convicted were sentenced to probation or jail time.
The criminal justice field offers many different opportunities to help address the growing law violation problem in California. In 2016, there were almost 12,000 probation officers and correctional treatment specialists in the state earning $83,350 per year. There were almost 71,000 police and sheriff’s patrol officers in the state with an annual average salary of $96,660. Almost 900 people worked as fire inspectors and investigators with an average salary of $91,750.
A degree in criminal justice can also lead an individual into the legal field as many lawyers and judges begin their careers in criminal justice. In 2016, there were almost 77,000 lawyers in California earning an average $162,010 per year. Judges numbered 1,610 at salaries that averaged $122,580 per year.
National University
School of Professional Studies
The School of Professional Studies at National University offers students the opportunity to improve the quality of life in their community through an understanding of research, public service and justice. Degrees are available in the areas of criminal justice, paralegal studies, digital media design, pre-law and more designed to create graduates with the skills and knowledge to improve their communities on a global, national and regional scale.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration offered through the School of Professional Studies at National University is designed to meet the needs of individuals in law enforcement who are interested in professional development as well as career advancement. The bachelor’s in criminal justice in California prepares students for careers that are challenging yet rewarding. Students are prepared for entry-level positions in the criminal justice field. The curriculum includes studies in basic forensic science, research methods, juvenile justice, leadership, criminal investigations and more. Students also select electives that further concentrate their studies in areas such as psychology, sociology, addictive disorders, legal studies and more. The school also offers four transition programs that allow students to earn their bachelor’s and master’s degree simultaneously. These programs include:
- BS in Criminal Justice Administration/Master of Criminal Justice Program (MCJ)
- BS in Criminal Justice Administration/Master of Forensic Science Program (MFS)
- BS in Criminal Justice Administration/Master of Juvenile Justice Program (JJS)
- BS in Criminal Justice Administration/Master of Public Administration (MPA)
To enroll in the transition programs, students must have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 and are within completing their last six courses.
The criminal justice program is available in an online format as well.
Accreditation
- Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities of the Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
National University Academic Headquarters
11255 North Torrey Pines Road
LaJolla CA 92037
Telephone: 800-628-8648
Email: advisor@nu.edu
Point Loma Nazarene University
Department of Sociology & Social Work
The Department of Sociology & Social Work at Point Loma Nazarene University offers students the opportunity to step into their community as agents of service and protection in order to create an atmosphere of healing and hope. Students are provided with enhanced skills that prepare them for positions at all levels of the criminal justice system.
Sociology, B.A.
Point Loma Nazarene University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with an available minor in criminal justice. This bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in California provides students with an in-depth understanding about factors that drive social change as well as how relationships and organizations have an impact on decision-making. The criminal justice concentration focuses on law, race and ethnicity along with restorative justice in communities on a regional, national and global scale. Students are able to apply their classroom learning in real-world situations through internships, student ministry and the Center for Justice & Reconciliation on the Point Loma campus. The program allows students to pursue their degree with a curriculum based in faith, rooted in an understanding of the world on a Christian level.
Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
Point Loma Nazarene University
3900 Lomaland Drive
San Deigo CA 92106
Telephone: 619-849-2200
San Diego State University
School of Public Affairs
The School of Public Affairs at San Diego State University provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary for positions in political and social environments. Graduates are well-educated, diverse and ethical with a desire to help others in their community. Students are committed to public service and have the critical thinking skills to help address problems related to law, politics and social programs. The school offers programs in City Planning, Criminal Justice, Public Administration and International Studies. The school is dedicated to advancing public service by applying scholarship designed to address issues on the national, regional and global scale.
Criminal Justice Undergraduate Program
The Criminal Justice Bachelor of Science program is designed for students who wish to move into a criminal justice career or those who wish to advance in a current career. In order to enroll, students must complete the following prerequisites:
- Elementary Social Statistics
- Introduction to American/Californian Government and Politics
- Introduction to Social Problems
- Introduction to Sociology
The prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. Students must earn a 2.8 GPA or higher in order to complete the program. The bachelor’s in criminal justice in California program is 120 units and provides students with the knowledge they need to work in law enforcement, law, probation and parole, corrections or other social service agencies. Students are also prepared to enter law school or seek further graduate study.
Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
School of Public Affairs
San Diego State University
5500 Campanile Drive
San Diego CA 92182-4504
PSFA 100
Telephone: 619-594-6224
Email: pkaplan@mail.sdsu.edu
San Francisco State University
College of Health and Social Sciences
The College of Health and Social Services at San Francisco State University helps students develop the skills and knowledge necessary to make an impact on their community. Students are provided practical experience as well as classroom learning so that they are prepared for careers that promote health and quality of life. The college is comprised of departments and programs that share a commitment to social justice and equity in life.
Criminal Justice Studies
The Criminal Justice Studies program at the College of Health and Social Services at San Francisco State University is a multidisciplinary program that explores connections between crime, law and justice. Students in the bachelor’s in criminal justice program in California gain hands-on knowledge through a required field experience at the end of the program. Students explore central features of the criminal justice system as well as an understanding of what leads to juvenile delinquency and adult criminal behavior. Students are also provided tools to work with diverse communities.
Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
Criminal Justice Studies
College of Health and Social Services
San Francisco State University
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco CA 94132
HSS Building Room 210
Telephone: 415-405-4129
Email: cj@sfsu.edu
San Jose State University
College of Applied Sciences and Arts
The College of Applied Sciences and Arts at San Jose State University offers unique training that combines traditional classroom learning with hands-on experiences through internships and field experiences. Students are prepared for careers at the entry-level and advanced level in the field of criminal justice. They are also prepared to enter law or graduate school upon completion of the programs.
Undergraduate Programs
The College of Applied Sciences and Arts at San Jose State University offers undergraduate justice studies that provides students with a broad understanding of issues in justice and injustice on a global, regional and national level. Students are prepared for positions in wide range of criminal justice careers as well as to pursue further education in law or other graduate studies. Graduates of the program have become leaders in their field of study. Core classes focus on theory and empirical research as it relates to justice, law and society. Students can concentrate their studies using the wide range of electives available. The program is also available with a concentration in international studies. Students in the bachelor’s degree in criminal justice degree program in California who enter that field must study abroad for a minimum of nine days, although a cross-cultural experience in the United States may be substituted with prior approval.
Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
San Jose State University
One Washington Square
San Jose CA 95192
Telephone: 408-924-1000
Sonoma State University
Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice Studies
The Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice Studies at Sonoma State University provides students an in-depth understanding of crime, criminal justice and the role of society in criminal activity. Students are provided with a liberal arts curriculum based on the constantly changing field of law as well as public expectations of criminal justice. Students learn the importance of diversity in law enforcement as well as social perceptions and political pressures that exist in the criminal justice system today.
Criminology & Criminal Justice Studies
At the Department of Criminology & Criminal Justice Studies at Sonoma State University, the bachelor’s in criminal justice degree program in California offers students a liberal arts curriculum that focuses on the changing nature of law enforcement as well as shifting public expectations. The degree provides students with a general background in criminal justice. Students can concentrate their studies through the wide range of electives available. Criminology and criminal justice students are prepared for careers that focus on criminals as well as social service agencies. Students are also prepared for graduate studies including law school. The program requires 120 units for completion which include general education, core requirements and electives.
Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
Criminology & Criminal Justice Studies
Sonoma State University
Stevenson Hall 2084
1801 East Cotati Avenue
Rohnert Park CA 94928
Telephone: 707-664-2934
University of Antelope Valley
The University of Antelope Valley provides undergraduate and graduate programs that focus on the needs of communities on a global, regional and national scale. Students are provided higher education that enables them to achieve their goals whether they are personal, career or academic. The school began in 1997 when Los Angeles City Firefighter and Paramedic, Marco Johnson, began teaching CPR and First Aid courses which eventually became the CPR and First Aid Company. As the need in the community grew for an institute of higher learning, the school became Antelope Valley Medical College. It became the University of Antelope Valley in 2009.
Criminal Justice
The bachelor’s in criminal justice degree program in California offered at the University of Antelope Valley provides a basic awareness of social and behavior sciences as well as a broad view of the criminal justice system. Students develop an understanding of investigation, forensic specialties and homeland security. Students are prepared for entry-level positions in many criminal justice industries, including law enforcement, corrections, immigration, security and social service agencies that focus on criminal justice. The program is available in a traditional classroom format or online. It requires 120 credits and the average completion time is three years. Tuition is $490 per credit.
Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
University of Antelope Valley
44055 North Sierra Highway
Lancaster CA 93534
Telephone: 661-726-1911
University of California, Irvine
Criminology, Law and Society
The Department of Criminology, Law and Society at the University of California, Irvine, offers programs that focus on law and the social aspects of law. It is the only criminology department and one of only two units focused on law and society in the University of California system. It has been named second among best colleges for a major in criminology by USA Today and third for the best online criminal justice programs by U.S. News & World Report. It is ranked fifth by U.S. News and World Report in doctoral-degree granting programs in criminology and criminal justice. It also ranks fifth in scholarly productivity in a 2009 report, the most recent issued, by Faculty Scholarly Productivity Index.
Undergraduate Program
The Criminology, Law and Society Department at the University of California, Irvine, offers a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in California that focuses on the problem of crime while providing students with information on social, cultural, political and economic forces that may have an impact on crime. Students are provided an overview of the legal system and an understanding of psychological and social factors that may lead to criminal behavior. Students also gain an understanding of criminal justice policy and socio-legal theory. Students are able to gain hands-on experience through internships which allow them to use skills taught in the classroom in a real-world setting.
Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
University of California, Irvine
Department of Criminology, Law and Society
2340 Social Ecology II
Irvine CA 92697-7080
Telephone: 949-824-5575
Email: mmccull@uci.edu
University of La Verne
The College of Arts and Sciences
The College of Arts and Sciences offers students degree programs with over 60 majors and minors as well as many certificate options. There is a close student-to-faculty ratio so those enrolled in programs are better able to discover their talents. Students are required to complete a hands-on capstone project in all majors, providing them with the real-world experience they need to succeed in their chosen field of study.
Criminology, B.S.
The bachelor’s in criminology degree program in California is for students who plan a career in law or criminal justice. It is also designed for those who wish to work in juvenile delinquency fields. The program includes classes in sociology, analysis, juvenile delinquency, criminology and more. There is instruction in white collar crime, urban crime and forensics as well. Students are able to concentrate their studies by choosing electives in specific areas related to criminal justice, including race and ethnicity, health, wealth and poverty as well as sociology of deviance and social networks of crime, health and organizations.
Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
University of La Verne
1950 Third Street
La Verne, CA 91750
Telephone: 909-593-3511
William Jessup University
William Jessup University began during the 1930s when Dr. Eugene Sanderson saw the need for a Bible college in the San Francisco Bay area. Dr. Sanderson had already created three other colleges. He purchased two large houses in San Jose across from the San Jose Teachers College, which is now San Jose State University. The school moved to Twelfth and Virginia Streets in 1951. The school continues Dr. Sanderson’s mission to educate transformational leaders who work for the glory of God.
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice at William Jessup University prepares students for careers in criminal justice. Students must complete classes in constitution and civil rights, criminal justice and criminal law. All courses are taught with a focus on Christian ethics, preparing them not only for leadership roles in their field of study, but as notable servants to God. The bachelor’s in criminal justice degree program in California is available in a traditional classroom format or online. Graduates have obtained positions as parole officers, police officers, public administrators and probation officers.
Accreditation
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges
Contact
Phillip Escamilla, EdM. JD, Department Chair
William Jessup University
2121 University Avenue
Rocklin CA 95765
Telephone: 916-577-8041
Criminal justice degrees provide students with an overview of the United States criminal justice system, preparing them for a wide range of careers upon graduation. Individuals who have completed bachelor’s in criminal justice degree programs in California could find themselves in high demand with potential employers.
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