Overview
The Graduate Certificate in Judicial Administration provides
students with an opportunity to learn from leaders in the
California Judicial Branch. In this unique program, the
only one of its kind in the United States, graduates will
learn the skills needed to make a difference in the successful
practice of judicial administration.
Benefits
- Convenient scheduling supports working professionals
- Courses provide the skills and education required to work
with judicial officers and stakeholders at higher levels in
the Judicial Branch and justice system
- Courses in the program may be used toward the six units of
electives required for Sacramento State’s Master of Arts in
Public Policy & Administration with a concentration in judicial
administration.
- Graduates of the Judicial Administration program often
go on to leadership and career development opportunities within
the Judicial Branch
Audience
Applicants must hold a Bachelor’s Degree (must be
awarded before the start of the first semester of the program). A
GPA of 3.0 for all undergraduate coursework and in the last 60
units is strongly preferred. Applicants must also have
professional experience in the Judicial Branch, although a
minimum number of years of experience is not required. It
is strongly recommended that
applicants be currently employed by a California state court
or the Judicial Council of California at an analyst level or
above to ensure they are prepared for the coursework in this
program.
Structure
This program has four courses and can be completed in 1.5 years.
Each course is 16 weeks long, and the schedule includes one
synchronous online session each week and two in-person
Friday-to-Saturday seminars, one in Northern
California and one in Southern California.
The Northern California location: Sacramento State’s College of
Continuing Education, Napa Hall building.
The Southern California location: Potentially at the County of
Riverside Superior Court’s Riverside Self-Help Center
Courses
- PPA 291: Court Governance and Operations
- PPA 292: Court Management
- PPA 293: Court Leadership
- PPA 294: Emerging Issues in Judicial Administration
Students must have access to a computer, a high-speed Internet
connection, speakers/headphones, and a microphone for the weekly
online night sessions, conducted via video conferencing. Students
will access those meetings and course content via Canvas, an
online learning platform.
Check out the full schedule
at this link.
Program Cost
Course Fees
Each course is 3 units at $535 per unit, totaling
$1,605 per course. The certificate program consists of four
courses, for a total of $6,420 for course fees. Payment for each
course is due by the course start date.
Note: Current course fees are set for 2026-27.
Fees will increase to $550 per unit in 2028-29.
Application Fee
A $30 non-refundable processing fee is required upon formal
admission to the program. Admitted students will be given
instructions on how to pay the fee.
Total Program Cost
The total cost of the program, including course fees and the
application fee, is $6,450. This total cost does not include
any potential textbooks or travel expenses for in-person
seminars, which are not paid to the university.
Please note:
The university does not offer financial aid for this program.
You may wish to check with your employer to see if they offer
tuition assistance or reimbursement for this program. If your
employer or another entity is paying the university on your
behalf, please contact us to ensure billing is processed
correctly.
