Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
Program Features
At-a-Glance
- Students earn their degree from Sacramento State.
- Asynchronous online format designed for working adults. Students can complete their degree at their own pace through accelerated eight-week courses on either a part-time or full-time schedule.
- Most students finish within two years. Advisors provide individualized degree maps to guide students from admission to graduation.
- Personalized student services including transcript evaluations, admission assistance, financial aid guidance, degree completion advising, and graduation support.
Overview
Sacramento State has been a leader in criminal justice and public safety education in California since the early 1960s. For the past 15+ years, we have expanded access to our quality education in criminal justice through this fully online degree program.
Students will earn a comprehensive education that includes training essential for careers that help to create a safer community.
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.
This program is offered through a partnership between Sacramento State’s College of Continuing Education (CCE) and College of Health and Human Services.
Audience
This online and accelerated program is designed for transfer students who have all four of their lower division CRJ courses completed in the major, as well as a majority of CSU General Education coursework complete and a minimum GPA of a 2.5.
Format
This program is delivered completely online via Canvas. Courses are taught by a live faculty member behind the computer screen and are taken with your fellow classmates.
Classes have specific start and end dates with regular assignment deadlines, but there are no required meeting times. Students can complete coursework on their own schedule, day or night.
Courses are eight weeks long during the fall and spring terms and six weeks long in the summer. A student taking a full course load each semester can typically complete the program in about two years, while those transferring upper-division coursework may finish sooner.
Class schedules are provided in advance to help students plan their path to graduation. Staying in regular contact with an advisor is encouraged to support timely degree completion.
Prerequisites
- High School Diploma (or equivalent).
- 2.5 GPA or higher in previous college coursework.
- At least 45 transferable units of college-level General Education.
- Completion of A2 Written Communication and at least one of the following:
- A1 Oral Communication
- A3 Critical Thinking
- B4 Quantitative Reasoning (Math)
- CRJ 1 Intro to Criminal Justice (minimum of C grade, within last 7 years)
- CRJ 2 Law of Crimes
- CRJ 4 General Investigative Techniques
- CRJ 5 The Community & the Justice System
Course Offerings
The online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is a 60-unit degree completion program. Students transfer in 12 units of prerequisite courses and complete the remaining 48 units online through Sacramento State.
Students must be admitted to Sacramento State and the online criminal justice program in order to take courses.
Lower Division Courses (12 units)
These lower division courses are prerequisites and must be completed prior to admission.
- 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 (24 units)
CRJ 101 Introduction to Criminal Justice Research Methods
3.0 Academic Credits
Introduction to research methodologies used in the social sciences, with a special emphasis on those methods most often used in the study of crime and criminal behavior, police/court systems, and correctional institutions, policies, and programs. Students will acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to understand, critically analyze and assess descriptive and quantitative research studies. Topics include the roles of theory and ethics in research, hypothesis testing, and research design.
CRJ 102 Crime and Punishment
3.0 Academic Credits
This course provides an overview of the causes, consequences and responses to crime in society, with special emphasis on the use of theory and research to guide criminal justice policy and practice. The course surveys major theories of crime causation, examines consequences of crime on individuals and societies, and explores various perspectives on the appropriate role of criminal sanctions and offender treatment in modern day systems of justice.
CRJ 121 Structure and Function of the American Courts
3.0 Academic Credits
Overview of the Federal and State court structures including jurisdiction, venue, roles of court participants, due process and post arrest procedures employed in adjudication, trial process, appellate review. Constitutional issues such as discretion, indigent rights, right to counsel, discovery, pleas, bail and preventive detention, competency, evidence suppression, double jeopardy, and speedy trial will also be addressed.
CRJ 123 Law of Arrest, Search and Seizure
3.0 Academic Credits
Current and recent developments relating to arrest, searches, and seizures; study of constitutional rights predominately associated with the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Fourteenth Amendments as related to criminal justice and its administration — warrants, warrantless seizures, exclusionary rule, confession, eye-witness identification, electronic surveillance, entrapment, and state variance with federal rules. Case study method law course.
CRJ 130 Fundamentals of Corrections
3.0 Academic Credits
Overview and critical analysis of contemporary correctional theory and practice. Comparison of mainline American corrections with historical, cross-cultural, philosophical and non-traditional views of corrections. Controversial issues in contemporary corrections, including prisoner rights, victimization, the death penalty, unions, institutional corrections, community corrections, future of corrections, correctional careers, and administration and staffing of correctional programs.
CRJ 141 Police and Society
3.0 Academic Credits
Examination of the origins, philosophy, objectives and priorities of the police service in the U.S. A. holistic analysis of political, social, economic, legal and other factors impacting the relationship between the police and the society they serve. Police use of discretion, police roles, police and minority groups, police and protest groups, police brutality, and police ethics are also studied.
CRJ 160 Justice and Public Safety Administration
3.0 Academic Credits
Examines the nature and development of public safety and criminal justice organizations in American society with attention to how the unique functions performed by these agencies has shaped and developed their nature. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding the unique problems generated by administration of bureaucratic, public agencies in a highly politicized environment. Examines the influence of social and political factors on justice and public safety organizations.
CRJ 190 Contemporary Issues in Criminal Justice
3.0 Academic Credits
Examination of current issues in criminal justice with an emphasis on the application of law, management, practice and ethics to analysis of contemporary criminal justice policy. The culminating event for criminal justice majors with an emphasis upon written and oral communication, research and analytical thinking.
Prerequisite(s): CRJ 101, CRJ 102, CRJ 121, CRJ 123, CRJ 130, CRJ 141, CRJ 160; Senior standing; a WPJ Portfolio score OR ENGL 109M or ENGL 109W
General Education Area/Graduation Requirement: Writing Intensive Graduation Requirement (WI)
Elective Courses (24 units)
Students select electives from two of seven specialized areas: Criminal Justice Administration, Investigation, Corrections, Offenses and Offenders, Law, additional courses, and supporting courses.
For a complete list of course descriptions, please refer to the Sacramento State Catalog.
Program Faculty
Courses are taught by Sacramento State faculty who are experts in their fields. The Division of Criminal Justice faculty are a diverse group with backgrounds in both academic and applied areas. Their academic department is the largest west of the Mississippi River and has the seventh most diverse student enrollment in the country.
Information Sessions
Interested in learning more? Join us for a live information session from 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 13, via Zoom.
Employment Outlook
Career Opportunities
Completion of this bachelor’s degree opens up many career opportunities in a variety of environments, including courts, corrections, parole and probation systems, and law enforcement.
Real-World Skills
Federal, state, local and private agencies have an active interest in employees who can translate their work experience and previous coursework 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.
Pathway to Advancement
Earning a bachelor’s degree is also a foundation for graduate study and career advancement. The combination of an online format and Sacramento State’s respected curriculum provides a flexible path for professionals to move forward in their field.
Costs
$50 Criminal Justice Departmental Application Fee
$70 CSU Application Fee
$145 Sacramento State Graduation Fee
$489 per-unit course fee
The total cost of the program depends on how many units are needed. Our advising team can help review transfer credits and estimate the total program cost.
Financial aid is available through the FAFSA. Please note that fees for this program differ from those for Sacramento State’s traditional campus programs, and separate policies apply. Visit the CCE Financial Aid page for more information.
All fees are subject to change.
How to Apply
The departmental application for Spring 2027 is now open. Submitted applications are currently being processed. However, the Cal State Apply application is closed until the first week of October.
Upcoming Dates
- Nov. 20, 2026 – Deadline to submit Spring 2027 departmental application
- Dec. 20, 2026 – Deadline to submit Cal State Apply application
- DO NOT submit your Cal State Apply application until you have submitted your departmental application AND have received specific instructions for the online program.
Basic Requirements
To be considered for admission, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Complete all four lower-division CRJ prerequisite courses (CRJ 1, 2, 4, and 5) with a “C” or better within the last seven years. Older courses require department chair approval.
- If you need help selecting the correct equivalent courses, please refer to the Articulation Agreements chart at the Division of Criminal Justice.
- and at least one of the following:
- Complete General Education Area 1A: English Communication with a “C-” or better.
- Complete one of the following GE areas with a “C-” or better: Area 1B: Critical Thinking, Area 1C: Oral Communication, Area 2: Mathematics/Quantitative Reasoning
- You do not need to complete all three areas prior to admission (although it is recommended) – you just need one of the three areas completed to meet this criteria.
- Have at least 45 CSU-transferable units.
- Hold a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5
While this does not replace one-on-one academic advising with a qualified advisor, you may consider referring to Assist to help you determine which courses you may use to transfer to Sacramento State for General Education requirements.
If you need to find online options for your GE or CRJ prerequisite courses, please consider using the California Virtual Classroom search tool through the CA Community Colleges.
We recommend submitting your application and transcripts ASAP for review so we can assist you in determining what requirements you currently meet, what requirements you still need to work on, and what specific classes we will accept for these requirements, as well as other CSU General Education requirements for graduation.
Submission Steps
Step 1: Complete the Criminal Justice program application.
Within the application, upload your resume and copies of all college transcripts (unofficial transcripts are acceptable), or if you were a former or current Sac State student, contact us to see if we have access to your records.
Step 2: Receive Evaluation Results
Within approximately two weeks, you will receive an unofficial evaluation indicating if you are admissible to the program, and what courses you have left towards your degree.
Once you receive your evaluation results from us, we will let you know if you can move on to the formal admissions process (including the CSU Apply application for new students or change of major paperwork for current Sac State students) or if you need more prerequisites before you can begin the program.
Please do not submit a formal application to Sacramento State via CSU Apply yet; wait until you are instructed to do so, as we will give you specific instructions on how to apply to the online CRJ program.
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 $70 CSU Application Fee and a $50 CRJ Departmental Application Fee.
Information for Current Applicants
Formal Admission
If you have been approved for the program, please refer to page one of your unofficial evaluation, which includes a checklist of items that you need to submit in order to be formally admitted to the program. Please complete all items marked as “To Do” on this page, with the exception of the $50 departmental application fee, as we will post this fee to your Sac State student record after you are admitted.
Soon after you have submitted your CSU Apply application, you can set up your SacLink account. Please note that it may take a few days for our records to be refreshed to allow you to set this up after submitting your CSU Apply application.
The admissions processes for our program usually is not completed until August for Fall admissions, and early January for Spring admissions. You will receive an email along with a program schedule and student handbook from the program staff once you are formally admitted. You will also be added to the program’s Canvas Resource Center which will keep you informed about important deadlines and program information.
Enrolling in Courses
Registration for our courses follows a slightly different process than our main campus; please do not worry about not seeing enough online course options in the searchable class schedule at this time. You will receive a separate email from our program with registration instructions including the list of available classes that are set up specifically for our program. You also do not need to adhere to your registration date that is posted in your student schedule as that is only for registering for traditional classes through the main campus.
Fees and Financial Aid
The number of units you may need to take will vary based on your transfer credits and what you have left to complete at Sacramento State in order to graduate. Our advisors can help you determine how many units you would need to complete in our program in order to graduate.
You may apply for financial aid through the FAFSA. Please note that fees for this program are not the same as the tuition and fees for the traditional program at Sacramento State, and different policies apply. Visit the CCE Financial Aid webpage for more information.
FAQ
How does this program differ from the on-campus bachelor’s degree in criminal justice?
This online degree completion program is designed to provide flexibility and access to professionals in the criminal justice and public safety fields. Students admitted to this program have completed their lower-division general education coursework and the lower-division criminal justice prerequisite courses.
While the degree that you will earn is the same as the on-campus program, and the degree requirements are the same as in the on-campus program, there are a few key structural differences regarding how this program operates:
- Fees: This program operates on a per-unit fee structure, meaning you pay for each unit you enroll in as you go. Currently, the fee is $489 per unit, making each 3-unit course $1,467. This is very different from the on-campus program, which charges a flat rate tuition for either full- or part-time enrollment in addition to several mandatory campus fees. This program does not charge the mandatory campus fees; only the per unit fee. This per-unit fee is the same for out-of-state students as well.
- Modality: All courses offered through this program are fully online and accelerated. Courses are also asynchronous meaning there is not a set time that you must log into class and participate in real time. There are, however, regular due dates throughout the course that you must adhere to.
- Campus services: Because you do not pay the mandatory campus fees, there are several campus services that you would not have access to (e.g., the campus health clinic).
- Course offerings: This program is much smaller than the on-campus program and as such, there are not as many course options offered each semester. You may not have as many options to pick from for your electives in your major. This program will provide all necessary upper division courses that you need in order to graduate, though if you have any remaining lower division courses to complete (for your General Education, for example), you would need to take those at a community college. Our advising staff will help you select the right courses to take and transfer in.
I see that the admission period for Sac State has already passed for this upcoming term. Can I still apply to this program?
Most likely, yes. This program has different application deadlines than traditional campus programs.
I already applied to Sac State and got admitted to the criminal justice major, but I didn’t apply directly to this online program. Can I just switch over to the online program?
You can request to switch over, but this request must be approved by the Division of Criminal Justice department chair. Please contact us for further information so we can assist you.
I would like to apply to this program. I should start by submitting an application through CSU Apply, right?
No. Please do not submit the CSU Apply application until after you have been advised to do so by the advisor for this program. Please first submit the Departmental Application and transcripts to us for review.
Why would I 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 also 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, 24 upper division units, and 24 elective units. All students must still complete all Sacramento State general education and graduation requirements as well as a minimum of 120 total units in order to graduate.
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 courses. The prerequisites must be completed prior to transferring to the program. Completion of lower-division general education courses at a community college is highly recommended.
What does the program cost?
The program fee is $489 per unit.
Is financial aid available?
Yes. Students may apply for financial assistance by filing a FAFSA online.
What are the admissions criteria?
All students must have:
- A minimum of 45 transferable units
- GE area A2 Written Communication completed with a C- grade or higher
- Either GE area A1 Oral Communications, A3 Critical Thinking, or B4 Quantitative Reasoning completed with a C- grade or higher. While only one of these three GE areas must be completed prior to admission, it is highly recommended that all three areas be completed prior to admission.
- All four lower-division CRJ courses must be completed within the last 7 years with a C grade or higher. Please confirm with us if you are taking the correct equivalent courses at your local college. The Sac State courses are:
- CRJ 1 Introduction to Criminal Justice
- CRJ 2 Law of Crimes
- CRJ 4 General Investigative Techniques
- CRJ 5 The Community and the Justice System
- An overall GPA of 2.5 or higher
What is the application process?
Prospective students can submit the Program Application and unofficial transcripts to CCE. The program advisor will complete a full transcript evaluation to determine if the admissions criteria are met, as well as review overall degree progress. Upon verification of eligibility, students will be guided through the formal admissions process and will submit the required application documents for CSU admission including the application fees. If the student does not meet the admissions criteria, they will receive advice to help them meet the admissions criteria in the future.
What are the required admissions materials?
- Program application and $50 fee
- CSU undergraduate application and $70 fee
- Official transcripts
- Other documents as needed based on your academic record
Some students may be asked to submit a high school transcript, a community college assessment in math, a professional resume, and a personal statement. Please remember that students do not and should not submit the above admissions materials until instructed to do so. Please start with the unofficial transcript review process.
How are the courses delivered online?
The program utilizes Canvas, an interactive communication tool. Canvas allows around-the-clock access to the classroom.
How long will it take me to finish the program?
The duration of the program varies from student to student based on how many classes are transferred. Most students can finish within two years. 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 bachelor’s degree. The program unofficially evaluates transfer credit and professional experience for each student.
What will my diploma look like?
Students graduating from the program will receive a degree from Sacramento State. The Division of Criminal Justice and the College of Health & Human Services will be listed on your diploma.
See also the Sacramento State Division of Criminal Justice.