Best Criminal Justice Schools in California
Do you aspire to work in emergency services performing investigations and arresting suspects? A criminal justice job may be right for you.
With its dense population and high pay rate, California offers some of the nation’s most engaging and lucrative justice positions. However, becoming a police officer or correctional officer may require postsecondary education at a criminal justice school in California.
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice usually takes four years to complete, but earning your degree at a top school may help you secure employment or advance your criminal justice career.
Popular Online Criminal Justice Programs
Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.
Top 10 Criminal Justice Schools in California
How We Rank Schools
Accredited Schools Online uses a custom ranking system to evaluate schools on their quality, affordability, and reputation.
We rank schools using factors like graduation rate, admission rate, tuition costs, financial aid, and program offerings. All our ranked schools hold institutional accreditation.
Learn more about how we create school rankings on our methodology page.
Reasons to Study Criminal Justice in California
- You can learn about law enforcement, the court system, and the correctional system from experienced instructors.
- California’s criminal justice field employs hundreds of thousands of people — with many career paths receiving strong growth projections.
- Several of the highest-paying criminal justice careers report six-figure median salaries in California.
- California’s public colleges offer some of the most affordable tuition rates in the country, especially for community colleges.
- You can qualify for criminal justice scholarships at accredited criminal justice schools in California.
- With so many options, California is a great state for college — and its strong economy makes it a great place to work.
Did You Know?
- There are criminal justice programs at 145 colleges and universities across California.
- The state’s law enforcement agencies employed 121,000 people in May 2021, according to the Public Policy Institute of California.
- California pays the highest average salaries for police and detective supervisors of any state.
- California has more paralegals and legal assistants than any other state and has received faster-than-average growth projections for these roles.
Accreditation of Criminal Justice Schools in California
Accredited criminal justice schools in California meet high standards for educating students. Independent, nonprofit accrediting agencies grant accreditation to schools and programs in California and around the country.
When researching programs, make sure to check the school’s accreditation status. Attending an accredited college allows you to apply for federal financial aid. You’ll also qualify for more transfer credits and meet graduate school and employer requirements.
The best colleges in California will hold accreditation from one of the following agencies:
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- WASC Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
WSCUC accredits four-year institutions, whereas ACCJC accredits two-year colleges.
Popular Criminal Justice Careers in California
Many people study criminal justice to work in law enforcement, corrections, or legal services. Criminal justice colleges in California prepare graduates for careers as detectives, correctional officers, police officers, and probation officers.
Some criminal justice careers require a graduate degree. For example, a postsecondary teacher typically needs a doctorate to teach. Some schools, such as community colleges, might only require a master’s degree, however. To become a lawyer, the most common pathway is law school and earning a juris doctorate. However, in California, you could complete a four-year apprenticeship under a practicing lawyer or judge instead of law school.
The following table shows the highest-paying criminal justice jobs in California, as well as their projected job growth rates and education requirements.
| Job | Median Annual CA Salary (May 2022) | CA Job Outlook (2020-30) | Minimum Education Required |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lawyers | $175,680 | +12.8% | Professional degree or four years of supervised study |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $159,890 | +2.7% | High school diploma |
| Administrative Law Judges, Adjudicators, and Hearing Officers | $138,420 | 0% | Professional degree or four years of supervised study |
| Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary | $130,860 | +10% | Master’s degree or doctorate |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $112,650 | -4.3% | High school diploma |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $107,240 | +1.7% | High school diploma |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | $104,160 | +4.5% | High school diploma |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $98,160 | +4.1% | Bachelor’s |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $89,220 | -6.9% | High school diploma |
| Compliance Officers | $80,220 | +9.6% | Bachelor’s |
Q&A With a Real Criminal Justice Professor in California
Katharine Tellis, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the School of Criminal Justice and Criminalistics at California State University, Los Angeles. She holds a Ph.D. in criminal justice from the University of Nebraska at Omaha. Dr. Tellis also holds a master of social work and a BA in gender studies from UCLA.
Her areas of interest include race, class, gender, violence prevention, and criminal justice policy.
Q: What should students look for when researching criminal justice programs?
“Students should look for diversity in class offerings, as well as in the instructors who teach them. Courses should cover everything from law enforcement to the courts and corrections to reentry and community-based issues that often intersect with criminal justice. It is also helpful to have real-world opportunities for students, such as service-learning placements.”
Q: How can students determine the quality of criminal justice program faculty?
“Faculty should have both academic credentials (graduate degrees) and practical or research experience — all three are a plus. It is critical that faculty reflect the diversity of the student body they serve to ensure the best educational environment that will translate to professional success, especially given the social issues we face.”
Q: What are some of the most important skills you’ll gain in a criminal justice program?
“The most important skills students should learn include critical thinking, professional writing, and emotional intelligence (empathy in particular), as well as other interpersonal skills to assist when interacting with the diverse populations who work within and interface with the criminal justice system.”
Q: How can these skills help students in their criminal justice careers?
“These skills translate into success in the workplace because students are then better able to identify, evaluate, and problem-solve the ethical, logistical, and technical issues that inevitably emerge as a criminal justice professional in California.”
Professional Resources for Criminal Justice Students in California
Business Compliance Resources
California Chamber of Commerce: This organization helps businesses in California thrive through compliance practices. The CalChamber tackles many issues facing companies today, including political action and worker compensation.
California Secretary of State: The Secretary of State provides various business-related regulatory information for California, like e-file forms and tax information.
Small Business California: SB Cal is dedicated solely to serving the unique needs of small businesses and their employees. The site provides information on advocacy campaigns and allows users to submit their input to easily share ideas.
Correctional Resources
California Correctional Peace Officers Association: This site, geared toward those who work in California’s correctional facilities, provides information on prison reform and culture.
California Correctional Supervisors Organization: Serving the supervisors and managers working in the California state corrections system, CCSO protects and represents members’ values through legal representation and tackling labor-related issues.
California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation: This government site offers services to incarcerated individuals and their families, in addition to career and general information about the California corrections and rehabilitation program.
California Probation, Parole & Correctional Association: CPPCA represents correctional personnel and those interested in how the California correctional system works. It also supports research relevant to the corrections system.
Court and Judicial Resources
California Commission on Judicial Performance: This state department investigates complaints of judicial misconduct and disciplines judges. Site visitors can get information on pending cases and commission membership.
California Court Association: CalCourt helps past and present employees of California’s court system train and prepare for leadership roles, keep up with changing laws, and help review recommendations on pending legislation.
California Judges Association: This professional group supports judges and justices across California through educational conferences and publications for current and past justices. It also appoints ethics and other committees to ensure the well-being of California-based judges.
Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice: CJCJ aims to balance California’s justice system and affect policymaking through news and educational information on correctional reform.
State of California Department of Justice: The Department of Justice provides information on government careers in the criminal justice field, including fellowships and scholarship programs.
Legal Resources
Association for Criminal Justice Research – California: ACJRca aims to improve criminal justice practices in all sectors through discussion and research. Members have access to conferences and networking opportunities with other criminal justice professionals.
California Attorneys for Criminal Justice: This professional association protects and promotes people’s rights under the Constitution. The website provides information on legislation and internship and career opportunities.
State Bar of California: Students planning to become attorneys in California should visit this website to learn how to become practicing lawyers in the state.
Western Association of Criminal Justice: This association of western states, including California, aims to improve criminal justice practices through academic research. Students are encouraged to become members.
Law Enforcement Resources
California Law Enforcement Association: This nonpolitical organization, established to provide California’s police officers with the best possible benefits for their service, offers information on long-term disability plans and scholarships.
California Peace Officers’ Association: This site hosts a collection of information for California’s police, sheriffs, and highway patrol officers. You can find details on training, community partnership opportunities, and events.
California Police Youth Charities: CPYA aims to foster a relationship between law enforcement and California’s younger population by providing activities for at-risk youths.
California Statewide Law Enforcement Association: This professional association comprises all types of law enforcement professionals throughout California. Members can receive various benefits, while non-members can access news articles, press releases, and more.
Peace Officers Research Association of California: As California’s largest public safety organization, PORAC offers information on advocacy programs, training sessions, and labor relations for peace officers across the state. It also maintains a job board for prospective officers.
Statewide University Police Association: This site represents police officers working on college and university campuses in California. Read about current events, news, and leadership surveys.
Frequently Asked Questions About Criminal Justice Schools in California
What is the best CSU for criminal justice?
Several California State University (CSU) locations offer criminal justice degrees. CSU-Los Angeles maintains an entire school of criminal justice and criminalistics where students can pursue education in criminal justice or forensic science. The university also hosts the California Forensic Science Institute and the Child Abuse and Family Violence Institute.
Which UC has criminal justice?
UC Irvine is the only UC location that has an undergraduate major in criminal justice. Other California-based colleges, such as California State University and Point Loma Nazarene University, also offer criminal justice degrees. In addition, California students can pursue a criminal justice degree online through schools in other states.
Is it hard to become a police officer in California?
To become a police officer in California, you must hold at least a high school diploma or GED certificate and pass physical, medical, and academic tests. Once recruited, you have to complete a 904-hour intensive course that satisfies the California Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training.
How do I get into corrections in California?
To become a California correctional officer, you need the equivalent of a 12th-grade education, a history of law-abiding behavior, and a driver’s license. You must also pass a written test, medical exam, and psychological exam before being placed on the eligibility list. Veterans may receive preference.