Discover the Best Online Criminal Justice Degrees in California
Launch or advance your criminal justice career by earning a quality undergraduate or graduate degree from a California criminal justice program. Match your academic needs and career goals to a program, discover the professional opportunities that await you when you graduate, and much more.
Are you interested in making a difference in your community through the criminal justice system? Are you passionate about social change and seeking a fulfilling career in criminal investigation, probation, or law enforcement? California criminal justice schools offer a range of options to prepare you for these exciting career paths. While some entry-level positions only require a high school diploma and on-the-job training, advanced roles often require education at the certificate, associate, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctoral level. To help you navigate your options, this guide offers insights into the best criminal justice schools in California. Get started by taking a look at our rankings for this school year below:
Ranking the Top Online Criminal Justice Degrees in CA
California’s criminal justice schools are using advanced technologies to offer fully online and hybrid programs, making it easier than ever for distance learners to earn their degree. Whether you’re a busy working professional or a part-time learner juggling multiple responsibilities, a flexible online program could be the perfect solution for you.
Not only do online programs save you time, but they can also save you money. By studying remotely, you can avoid costly commutes and enjoy the convenience of studying from the comfort of your own home. Plus, when you enroll in an accredited program, you’ll earn the same credentials and skills as those who study on campus. And if you’re looking to fast-track your degree, an online accelerated program might be just what you need to complete your studies more quickly.
To help you start your search for the online criminal justice degree program that’s right for you, here’s a list of the top programs based on key factors like affordability and academic quality. These are fully-accredited and offer either a fully online program or hybrid format with limited in-person obligations.
California State University-Long Beach
Long Beach, California
Public
San Francisco State University
San Francisco, California
Public
California State University-Sacramento
Sacramento, California
Public
San Diego State University
San Diego, California
Public
California State University-San Bernardino
San Bernardino, California
Public
University of Southern California
Los Angeles, California
Private
University of Massachusetts Global
Irvine, California
Private
William Jessup University
Rocklin, California
Private
California Baptist University
Riverside, California
Private
University of San Diego
San Diego, California
Private
Rio Hondo College
Whittier, California
Public
Napa Valley College
Napa, California
Public
Pasadena City College
Pasadena, California
Public
Diablo Valley College
Pleasant Hill, California
Public
San Joaquin Delta College
Stockton, California
Public
Cabrillo College
Aptos, California
Public
San Bernardino Valley College
San Bernardino, California
Public
Los Angeles Valley College
Valley Glen, California
Public
Santa Rosa Junior College
Santa Rosa, California
Public
Sacramento City College
Sacramento, California
Public
San Diego Miramar College
San Diego, California
Public
American River College
Sacramento, California
Public
Cerritos College
Norwalk, California
Public
Porterville College
Porterville, California
Public
Compton College
Compton, California
Public
Mt San Antonio College
Walnut, California
Public
Types of Criminal Justice Degrees
Undergraduate Criminal Justice Degrees in California
Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice
An associate degree is an excellent way to gain foundational knowledge in criminal justice. At California’s criminal justice schools, you’ll start your associate degree with general education classes in subjects like science, history, English, and math, as well as specific coursework in criminal justice. These courses will cover topics such as crime scene investigation, ethics, and constitutional law, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system. With an associate degree, which typically takes between 18 to 24 months to complete, you’ll be well-prepared to start your career as a probation officer, corrections officer, investigator, police officer, and many other exciting career paths.
Examples of Accredited California Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
- City: Ventura
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: WSCUC
- City: Santa Ana
- Delivery: Online
- Accreditation: Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC)
- City: Stockton
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: WSCUC
- City: Alhambra
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges
- City: Norwalk
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges
Bachelor’s Degrees in Criminal Justice
Typically taking four years of full-time study to complete, a bachelor’s program provides a more in-depth exploration of criminal justice topics. With classes that cover criminology, crime prevention, governmental policy, and corrections, you’ll be able to personalize your studies by choosing a specialized area or concentration. This flexibility allows you to focus more on your interests within the field. As a graduate of a bachelor’s program from one of the best criminal justice schools in California, you can expect to find employment as a government agent in homeland security, the FBI, or the Drug Enforcement Administration. Or, you might choose to work as an investigator, corrections officer, crime lab analyst, police officer, and more. If you have an associate degree or other transferable college credits, a bachelor’s program can be a smart choice to further your criminal justice education.
Examples of Accredited California Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
California State University Los Angeles
- City: Los Angeles
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: WSCUC
California State University, Fullerton
- City: Fullerton
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: WSCUC
- City: Irvine
- Delivery: Online/Hybrid
- Accreditation: WSCUC
- City: Riverside
- Delivery: Online
- Accreditation: WSCUC
- City: Los Angeles
- Delivery: Online/Hybrid
- Accreditation: WSCUC
Graduate Criminal Justice Degrees in California
Master’s Degrees in Criminal Justice
Master’s programs are tailored to experienced learners who already hold a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or a related field and have relevant work experience. By specializing in areas such as cybersecurity, forensic science, crime analysis, or strategic management, you can refine your skill set and prepare for mid- and high-level positions in the field. Graduates from criminal justice schools in California with a master’s degree may pursue careers as computer forensics investigators, correctional officer supervisors, emergency management directors, police and detective supervisors, and more.
Examples of Accredited California Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
- City: San José
- Delivery: Online
- Accreditation: WSCUC
California State University Long Beach
- City: Long Beach
- Delivery: Online
- Accreditation: WSCUC
University of Southern California
- City: Los Angeles
- Delivery: Online
- Accreditation: WSCUC
- City: Los Angeles
- Delivery: Online
- Accreditation: DEAC
- City: Turlock
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: WSCUC
Criminal Justice PhD Programs
Like most doctor of philosophy programs, the PhD in criminal justice at schools in California is for those advanced students interested in research, theory, and education. Professionals with a PhD in criminal justice often spend three to five years earning this degree, which includes writing a traditional doctoral dissertation based on original research. You’ll likely need a master’s degree in criminal justice or a closely related field to apply. Those with a PhD in criminal justice often move on to careers in higher education, research at private or government research institutions, forensic science, or homeland security.
Examples of Accredited California Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
California Western School of Law
- City: San Diego
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: WSCUC
University of California, Irvine
- City: Irvine
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: WSCUC
University of California Berkeley
- City: Berkeley
- Delivery: Online/On-Campus/Hybrid
- Accreditation: WSCUC
- City: San Diego
- Delivery: Online
- Accreditation: WSCUC
Criminal Justice Graduate Certificates
Graduate certificates at the best criminal justice schools in California are designed to help professionals working in the field to further develop their skills. These programs give you the opportunity to hone your critical thinking and analytical skills. Depending on the program, you may be able to choose a concentration such as victimology, law enforcement, public administration, or corrections. Many students also earn the credential to be more competitive candidates in the job market, especially if they’re looking for a promotion or a career change within the criminal justice field.
Examples of Accredited California Colleges with this Criminal Justice Degree
California State University Long Beach
- City: Long Beach
- Delivery: On-Campus
- Accreditation: WSCUC
Financial Aid for Criminal Justice Students in California
Earning a degree from a criminal justice school in California can be a significant financial challenge for just about anyone. Thankfully, there are many financial aid opportunities out there at the federal, state, and local levels. Additionally, many colleges and universities offer financial assistance for criminal justice students through the department that houses the program. Financial awards may be need- or -merit-based or reserved for applicants from particular demographics. California State University Long Beach, for example, offers several scholarships for both undergraduate and graduate students in its School of Criminology, Criminal Justice, and Emergency Management. California State Los Angeles offers internal fellowships, tuition waiver programs, conference travel support, and dissertation support for its graduate students.
You can also find financial assistance for your criminal justice degree program through professional organizations at the state or national level. The California Association of Criminalists, for example, offers several financial awards for members. Other scholarship opportunities for criminal justice students at the national level include funding offered by My Alarm Center, the Park Law Enforcement Association, Zinda Law Group, and Women in Federal Law Enforcement, Inc. For more information, check out our financial aid guide and scholarships guide, where you’ll learn more ways to fund your criminal justice education.
Employment and Earnings Outlook for Criminal Justice Grads in California
The employment and earnings outlook for professionals in criminal justice looks bright. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, criminal justice workers in California, especially in major metropolitan areas, will see healthy growth in numbers and earnings over the next several years. Gambling surveillance officers and gaming investigators, for example, will see 18.2% growth by 2028. Similarly, private detectives and investigators can expect 8.1% growth. There are also lucrative roles in the field, especially for those located in major metropolitan areas. Detectives and criminal investigators in the Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim area make an annual mean wage of $126,320. That’s about $40,300 more per year than the national annual mean wage for professionals working in similar criminal justice roles.
| Job Growth (2018-2028) | Avg. Annual Openings (2018-2028) | Annual Mean Wage (2020) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 3.2% | 860 | $111,480 |
| Private Detectives and Investigators | 8.1% | 370 | $70,350 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | 3% | 1,180 | $95,820 |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | 3.7% | 5,460 | $107,440 |
| Gambling Surveillance Officers and Gaming Investigators | 18.2% | 170 | $40,810 |
Source: Projections Central; Bureau of Labor Statistics
Resources for Criminal Justice Professionals and Students in California
California Correctional Peace Officers Association (CCPOA)
The CCPOA is a membership association that strives to benefit criminal justice workers. This includes the improvement of wages and benefits for these workers, as well as the enhancement of training and education for correctional officers in California.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation
This site offers information, laws, and guidelines for correctional facilities across the state of California. The careers section provides an active job board to jobseekers, including specific guidelines for applying for a state job in criminal justice. They also host an active Facebook page.
Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice (CJCJ)
Located in San Francisco, the CJCJ works with criminal justice stakeholders and community-based organizations to better serve juvenile rehabilitation services in the Bay Area and around the state. Students and professionals use the site to keep up with the latest news and criminal justice information in the juvenile sector, find volunteer opportunities, and apply for additional training through its Next Generation Fellowship.
Operated by the University of California Los Angeles, the Civil Rights Project strives to create a new generation of criminal justice researchers to investigate critical issues of race and justice in the US. Students and professionals working in criminal justice areas can find the latest reports on today’s most pressing topics in the field. Many of the studies focus on issues in California.
Western Society of Criminology (WSC)
Housed by California State University Long Beach, the WSC hosts an annual conference and offers exclusive publications for its members. Students receive a discount on membership dues and can apply for WSC’s June Morrison and Deschenes scholarships. There are also student chapters designed to help learners build their professional networks in the field.