“With 33 years of public service, I retired in 2022 as the Chief of Police for the Elk Grove Police Department. I’ve had the honor of teaching in the College of Continuing Education’s Criminal Justice program for nearly twenty years,” says Chief Timothy Albright (Ret.), Lecture/Adjunct Faculty in the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program, offered by Sac State’s College of Continuing Education (CCE). “What I value about the CCE program is its ability to open doors for students at any stage of their educational journey, regardless of location. The asynchronous learning model is a tremendous asset, allowing students to balance their education with their other life responsibilities. It’s an environment where individuals from all walks of life can thrive and make significant strides in their academic and professional careers. The program not only offers education but provides a foundation for personal growth, professional success, and empowerment.”

Sacramento State has been a leader in criminal justice and public safety education in California since the early 1960s. For the past 15+ years, CCE has expanded access to its quality education in criminal justice through its fully online degree program.

While in the program, students earn a comprehensive education that includes training essential for careers that help to create a safer community.

“In the CCE Criminal Justice program, students can expect to engage with motivated, experienced faculty who understand the challenges of balancing education with other life responsibilities as they have walked in your shoes,” says Chief Albright. “Our faculty bring diverse, real-world experience to the classroom and are deeply committed to student success. Our faculty are focused on helping to develop the next generation of leaders in criminal justice.”

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.

“To find and maintain meaningful employment and be successful in the world today, especially in criminal justice, people must learn through, and function within, the digital paradigm,” says Christine Morse Fitch, Asst. Professor. “The CCE Criminal Justice program provides students an opportunity to do that without sacrificing personal access to their professors. The condensed length of classes helps to foster time management skills while the online format allows students the freedom to study on their own schedules.”

The benefits to completing the program are many, but a few include:

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.

Cultivation of real-life 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.

Stepping stone to graduate education: Earning a bachelor’s degree is a major accomplishment and is a stepping stone to graduate education. Combining the flexibility of online education and the mobility of the criminal justice field creates an unparalleled career enhancement.

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 2.6.

“If you’re uncertain about the timing, I encourage you to take that first step. The key is to challenge yourself and step into the uncomfortable — comfort will follow,” Chief Albright says. “Before you know it, you’ll find yourself on track, progressing, and walking across the stage with immense pride and confidence in the quality education you’ve earned. That education will serve as a powerful tool, both personally and professionally, and will serve to encourage others in your path.”

The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program is offered through a partnership between the College of Continuing Education and the College of Health and Human Services at Sacramento State. Learn more about this program.