California Criminal Justice Overview

California criminal justice careers include a wide range of opportunities in law enforcement, social services and related fields. A degree in criminal justice can lead to a career as a correctional treatment specialist, police officer, victim services counselor, parole officer, probation officer, border patrol agent, private detective, sheriff, U.S. Marshal, FBI agent, DEA agent, warden or a number of other careers in the criminal justice field in California.

Online colleges offering Criminal Justice programs in California


Most California criminal justice careers require a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice in order to obtain an entry-level position in this exciting field and prospective law enforcement officers are often required to complete coursework in criminal justice before they can enter a law enforcement academy. Students who are considering going to law school also commonly choose criminal justice for their undergraduate degree program.

Many careers within criminal justice are expected to experience a large growth rate over the next few years. For example, the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook 2008-2009 Edition projects that one popular criminal justice career, probation officer, will experience an 11% growth rate, resulting in 11,000 new jobs by 2016. California probation officers, as well as other California criminal justice professionals, can expect to see a parallel rate of growth.

If you would like to learn more about the many criminal justice careers available in California, or are ready to begin your California criminal justice career, browse through the comprehensive list of schools offering criminal justice programs listed below.

Online Colleges Offering Criminal Justice Degrees

Accreditation  

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. .

Accreditation  

The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Accreditation  

Colorado Technical University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Accreditation  

Bachelor's and Master's degrees: Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges.

Accreditation  

Regionally accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

Campus Colleges Offering Criminal Justice Degrees

Accreditation  

University of Phoenix is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association. .

Accreditation  

Kaplan University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Accreditation  

Miller-Motte Technical College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to award diplomas. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education.

Accreditation  

Miller-Motte Technical College is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) to award diplomas. The Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools is listed as a nationally recognized accrediting agency by the United States Department of Education.

Accreditation  

Keiser University is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097) to award certificates and degrees at the associate, bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels.

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Criminal Justice Salaries
Police Officer
$37,459 - $64,076
Highway Patrol
$35,500 - $53,636
BATF Agent
$54,098 - $94,333
Crime Prevention Specialist
$34,534 - $72,292
Criminal Investigator
$58,000
Customs Officer
$32,000 - $56,000
Drug Enforcement Agent
$65,000
Forensic Science/Crime Scene Investigation
$35,000 - $42,446
Homeland Security
$32,000 - $77,500
Deputy U.S. Marshal
$30,000 - $56,000
Deputy Sheriff
$47,000 - $85,000
Criminal Profiler
$55,000 - $60,000
 * Based on 5 years experience