
Top Criminal Justice Universities in California What to Look for in a Criminal Justice Program Benefits of a Criminal Justice Degree Conclusion
Criminal justice is a field that is constantly evolving, with new challenges and opportunities emerging all the time. As the demand for qualified criminal justice professionals continues to grow, so too does the need for high-quality education programs.

California is home to some of the best criminal justice universities in the country. These schools offer a wide range of programs, from undergraduate degrees to doctoral degrees, and they provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the field.
1. California State University, Fresno
Fresno State University is one of the largest universities in the California State University system, and it is home to a highly respected criminal justice program. The program offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, as well as a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. The program is accredited by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, and it has a strong reputation for preparing students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, and other criminal justice fields.
According to U.S. News & World Report, Fresno State University is ranked among the top 100 criminal justice schools in the country. The school has a strong faculty, and it offers a variety of research opportunities for students.
2. California State University, Long Beach
Cal State Long Beach is another large university in the California State University system, and it is home to a well-respected criminal justice program. The program offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, as well as a Master of Science in Criminal Justice. The program is accredited by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences, and it has a strong reputation for preparing students for careers in law enforcement, corrections, and other criminal justice fields.
U.S. News & World Report ranks Cal State Long Beach among the top 100 criminal justice schools in the country. The school has a strong faculty, and it offers a variety of research opportunities for students.
3. University of California, Irvine
UCI is a public research university located in Irvine, California. It is a member of the University of California system and is one of the top-ranked universities in the country. UCI offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in criminal justice, including a Bachelor of Arts in Criminology, Law and Society, a Master of Arts in Criminology, Law and Society, and a Ph.D. in Criminology, Law and Society.
UCI’s criminal justice programs are highly respected and offer students a strong foundation in criminological theory and research methods. The school has a strong faculty and offers a variety of research opportunities for students.
4. University of Southern California
USC is a private research university located in Los Angeles, California. It is one of the top-ranked universities in the country and offers a range of undergraduate and graduate programs in criminal justice, including a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Master of Science in Criminal Justice, and a Ph.D. in Criminal Justice.
USC’s criminal justice programs are highly respected and offer students a strong foundation in criminological theory and research methods. The school has a strong faculty and offers a variety of research opportunities for students.
When choosing a criminal justice program, there are a few things you should keep in mind:
- Accreditation: Make sure the program is accredited by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences. This accreditation ensures that the program meets certain quality standards.
- Faculty: The faculty should be experienced and knowledgeable in the field of criminal justice.
- Research opportunities: The program should offer opportunities for students to conduct research in the field of criminal justice.
- Career services: The program should offer career services to help students find jobs in the field of criminal justice.
A criminal justice degree can provide you with a number of benefits, including:
- Increased job opportunities: A criminal justice degree can open up a variety of job opportunities in law enforcement, corrections, and other criminal justice fields.
- Higher salaries: Criminal justice professionals with a degree typically earn higher salaries than those without a degree.
- Increased knowledge and skills: A criminal justice degree will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to succeed in the field of criminal justice.
- Opportunities for advancement: A criminal justice degree can help you advance your career in the field of criminal justice.
If you are interested in a career in criminal justice, a degree from one of California’s top criminal justice universities can help you achieve your goals. These schools offer a wide range of programs, from undergraduate degrees to doctoral degrees, and they provide students with the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in the field.