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Program Overview
California State University, Sacramento, has been a leader in criminal justice and public safety education in the state since the early 1960s. Our enrollment is in excess of 1,800 undergraduate students and approximately 100 graduate students.
The division of criminal justice is expanding program access through the addition of two new online degree programs – a bachelor of science and master of science in criminal justice. Although the programs are hosted by Sacramento State, College of Continuing Education, their academic home is in the division of criminal justice at Sacramento State, College of Health and Human Services.
Audience
This online program provides flexibility and access to in-service professionals in the criminal justice and public safety fields. This program allows pursuit of a quality degree at a reasonable cost, with the added benefit of networking opportunities and an accelerated format.
Program Structure
Sacramento State’s undergraduate degree in criminal justice program starts with an evaluation of existing coursework. Prospective students receive an evaluation to use as a road map toward degree completion. Applicant’s academic transcripts and professional experience are reviewed by the program coordinator and an academic counselor. Each applicant receives a degree completion plan which details and outlines specific courses and activities he/she must complete to earn the bachelor’s degree.
Candidates must complete all Sacramento State general education and graduation requirements for the degree. Sacramento State provides the upper division coursework required for the major and graduation requirements. Applicants transfer the lower division coursework from another university or community college.
The individualized evaluation process is an important one. Major courses are identified and graduation requirements are defined for each student. The evaluation provides both the student and the advisor with a detailed review of previous coursework, and in effect becomes a learning contract between the university and student.
Program Delivery
The program is delivered completely online via WebCT. WebCT is an interactive communication tool developed for use with the Internet and education institutions. WebCT allows course structure and material to be tailored per course. Courses are offered in seven week cycles.
Most students enroll in one or two courses per cycle; each cycle is eight weeks. A student who needs to complete all 48 units and enrolls in one course per cycle can complete the program in just over three years. Students who transfer course work into the program or who enroll in more than one course per cycle can complete the program at an accelerated pace.
This online program provides an advanced schedule of offerings to assist students with planning the selection of courses for degree completion. Program planning, frequent e-mail and telephone contact with an advisor translates to successful degree completion.
Financial Aid
Most students qualify for some type of financial aid, usually in the form of student loans. Unless they have defaulted on a previous loan, most students qualify for federal loans, as there are no income restrictions. To qualify for financial aid of any kind, undergraduate students must be admitted to CSUS and registered in a minimum of six units in the academic term for which the financial aid is awarded.
The first step in applying for any type of financial aid (including loans) is to submit a FAFSA. Students may apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
Program Faculty
Courses are taught by Sacramento State faculty who are experts in their respective fields. The division of criminal justice faculty are a diverse group with backgrounds in both the academic and applied areas.
Program Courses and Descriptions
The online criminal justice major is a 60 unit program that includes:
Lower Division Courses (12 units) *The lower division courses are completed at a community college.
CRJ 1 - Introduction to Criminal Justice and Society
CRJ 2 - Law of Crimes
CRJ 4 - General Investigative Techniques
CRJ 5 - The Community and the Justice System
Upper Division Courses (27 units)
CRJ 100 - Introduction to Criminal Justice Research Methods
CRJ 110 - Crime and Punishment
CRJ 120 - Fundamentals of Corrections
CRJ 163 - Leadership in Criminal Justice and Public Safety
CRJ 164 - Justice and Public Safety Administration
CRJ 167 - Police and Society
CRJ 174A - Law of Arrest, Search and Seizure
CRJ 175 - Structure and Function of the American Courts
CRJ 194 - Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
Elective Courses (21 units)
Elective courses are selected from three of seven areas, including: corrections, law enforcement, investigations, supporting courses, administration, crime theory, law and courts, and special courses (including internships and special problems or directed studies).
Projected electives include:
CRJ 130 - Community Corrections
CRJ 131 - Institutional Corrections
CRJ 132 - Violence and Terrorism
CRJ 136 - Career Criminals
CRJ 139 - Gangs and Threat Groups
CRJ 161A - Police Administration
CRJ 161C - Corrections Administration
CRJ 170 - Law of Evidence
CRJ 171 - Delinquency Prevention and Control
CRJ 189 - Criminal Justice Systems of the Future
CRJ 198 - Co-Curricular Activities
CRJ 199 - Special Problems
Career Enhancement
Completion of a bachelor’s degree opens up many career opportunities in the criminal justice and public safety arena. Federal, state, local and private agencies have an active interest in employees who can translate their work experience and previous course work into an academic degree. The undergraduate program cultivates real-life skills and resources for professionals who currently work within the criminal justice and public safety fields.
Earning a bachelor’s degree is a major accomplishment and is a stepping stone to graduate education. Many high-level employees of these organizations pursue graduate degrees. Combining the flexibility of online education and the mobility of the criminal justice field creates an unparalleled career enhancement.
Application Process
To apply to the Online Bachelor’s Degree Program in Criminal Justice, please print out and submit the initial Departmental Application. If you decide to enroll in the program, you will be required to complete a California State University Application for Admission. Admission fees will include a $55 CSU Application Fee and a $75 CRJ Application Fee. No fees are required at this time.
Contact Information
For more information call (916) 278-4711 or email CCEPSDegrees@csus.edu
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- How does this program differ from the on-campus bachelor’s in criminal justice?
- This online degree completion program is designed to provide flexibility and access to in-service professionals in the criminal justice and public safety fields. Students who admit to this program are transfer ready through completion of the lower division General Education course work and the lower division criminal justice courses.
- Why do we need this program?
- It provides an alternative solution for working adult professionals who face limitations due to locale, schedules and other commitments which often make it difficult to complete the degree they started. It provides outreach services to an underserved community.
- How many units are required in the major?
- The criminal justice major is 60 units -- 12 lower division units, 27 upper division units and 21 elective units.
- Can I take the lower division criminal justice courses at a community college?
- Yes. In fact, the lower division criminal justice courses are prerequisites to the upper division criminal justice courses. The prerequisites must be completed prior to transferring to the program. Completion of lower division courses at a community college is highly recommended.
- What is the program fee?
- The program fee is $295 per unit.
- Is Financial Aid available?
- Yes. Students may apply for financial assistance by filing a FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- Who teaches the courses?
- All courses in the major are taught by Sacramento State division of criminal justice faculty.
- What are the admissions criteria?
- Students should be transfer ready and have completed the lower division General Education requirements as well as the lower division criminal justice prerequisites prior to admittance.
- What is the application process?
- Prospective students can download the departmental application and submit unofficial transcripts to CCE. Upon verification of eligibility, students submit the required application documents for CSU admission including the $75 application fee.
- What are the required application materials?
- CSU undergraduate application, $55 CSU application fee, $75 department application fee, and official transcripts. Additionally, some students may be asked to submit a high school transcript and community college assessment in math.
- How are the courses delivered online?
- The program utilizes WebCT, an interactive communication tool. WebCT allows 24 hour/7 day a week access to the classroom. See https://online.csus.edu/webct/entryPageIns.dowebct for more information.
- What is the class schedule?
- Classes are offered in eight-week cycles.
- How long will it take me to finish the program?
- The program can be completed in approximately 18 months to three years depending on how many courses a student completes per cycle. Students with remaining GE requirements can complete them concurrently at the community college.
- Is academic advising available?
- YES! Each student automatically receives a personalized evaluation outlining the coursework required for the undergraduate degree. The program unofficially evaluates transfer credit and professional experience for each student. An official evaluation is provided by the Admissions and Records Office.
- Which departments are listed on my diploma?
- The division of criminal justice and College of Health & Human Services are on your diploma.
See also the Sacramento State Division of Criminal Justice
