Criminal Justice Degree in California | California Coast University

You're in California. Your Criminal Justice Degree Doesn't Have to Be.

Whether you're in Los Angeles, Sacramento, San Diego, the Central Valley, or anywhere in between, geography shouldn't determine whether you can earn a criminal justice degree. California Coast University is a California-based institution — headquartered in Santa Ana and approved by the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) of the State of California — that has been delivering accredited criminal justice education to working adults since 1973. Every program is offered 100% online, with no campus attendance required, so your location in California is never a limitation.

Criminal Justice Degree Programs at CCU

CCU's School of Criminal Justice offers a complete range of programs at every academic level — giving students the ability to begin where they are and advance as far as their goals take them. Whether you're looking for a quick credential or a comprehensive degree, every program is designed around the same core principle: your education should work around your life, not the other way around.

What Makes CCU's Criminal Justice Degree the Right Fit for California Students

California residents searching for a criminal justice degree have plenty of options on paper. What most of them don't offer is a program that genuinely works for working adults — officers, parents, professionals, veterans — who can't reorganize their lives around a class schedule. That's where CCU stands apart.

Admissions: Simple and Accessible

Getting into CCU's criminal justice degree program is designed to be accessible from day one. To qualify for any undergraduate program, applicants must:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Hold a high school diploma, GED, or its equivalent from a U.S. educational institution

There are no standardized test scores, no entrance exams, and no letters of recommendation required. Prospective students whose native language is not English and who have not earned a degree from an appropriately accredited institution where English is the principal language of instruction must demonstrate college-level proficiency in English through TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Graduate applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Tuition: Transparent, Affordable, and the Same for Every California Student

One of the most consistent reasons California students choose CCU is cost. Tuition is $170 per unit for all undergraduate programs — the certificate, associate's, and bachelor's degree. Graduate tuition is $250 per unit. There are no in-state or out-of-state distinctions, no additional fees for online delivery, and no hidden charges.

Three interest-free payment plans make the degree financially accessible from the start:

Your rate is locked in at enrollment and remains fixed as long as you stay in good academic and financial standing within the same program. Students who do not remain in good standing are subject to new tuition rates upon reinstatement. A 10% discount is available for active-duty military, veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, U.S. government employees, CCU graduates, and corporate partner employees (employment or status verification required, for students enrolling after 1/1/2026; retroactive discounts will not be applied and cannot be combined with other offers). A number of CCU students have their tuition covered through employer educational assistance programs. Check with your HR department to find out what's available to you.

A California Institution With 50+ Years Behind It — and Faculty Who Know the Field From the Inside

California Coast University was founded in Santa Ana in 1973, and has been delivering distance education to California residents and students across the country for over five decades. That longevity reflects something real: a consistent institutional commitment to serving the students that traditional universities often leave behind — working professionals, military personnel, parents, shift workers, and anyone whose schedule doesn't fit a standard academic calendar.

CCU is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). The institution also holds approval from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) of the State of California.

The School of Criminal Justice is built on a faculty model that sets it apart from many academic programs: instructors are not selected primarily for their publication record or tenure status — they are chosen for their demonstrated professional expertise in the field and their ability to bring that experience into the classroom. The coursework CCU students complete is shaped by people who have worked within the systems they're studying, producing an education that is applied and practitioner-informed from the first course to the last. The School of Criminal Justice is led by Dr. Mohamad Khatibloo, whose background spans both academic leadership and the private sector.

What CCU Criminal Justice Alumni Say

"CCU is an excellent option for people who have busy careers. Getting my degree was important to me and CCU helped me obtain that."
— B. Odell, Alumni, Criminal Justice, California Coast University

"I'm very happy that this could work with a full-time work schedule. I will be recommending to anyone who is looking for flexibility."
— K. Kast, Alumni, Criminal Justice, California Coast University

"This college degree holds value both personally and professionally. It fostered critical thinking, discipline, and a deeper understanding of the world, while also serving as a credential that can open doors, enhance my career prospects, and signals a commitment to my long-term goals."
— M. Perez, Alumni, Criminal Justice, California Coast University

Where a Criminal Justice Degree From CCU Can Lead

A criminal justice degree from CCU — at any level — is a meaningful credential that opens doors across a wide range of professional settings. Law enforcement, corrections, security management, court administration, juvenile justice, emergency management, and government agencies at the local, state, and federal level are all areas where CCU graduates have put their education to work. Students who complete one program and choose to continue their education can advance through CCU's full program pathway. CCU graduates re-enrolling in any program receive a 10% tuition discount (for students enrolling after 1/1/2026; retroactive discounts will not be applied and discounts cannot be combined with other offers).

Frequently Asked Questions: Criminal Justice Degree in California at CCU

What criminal justice degree programs does CCU offer?
CCU's School of Criminal Justice offers four programs: the Fundamentals of Criminal Justice Undergraduate Certificate (4 courses, 12 units), the Associate of Science in Criminal Justice (20 courses, 60 units), the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice (42 courses, 126 units), and the Master of Science in Criminal Justice. All are 100% online and self-paced.

Is CCU approved to operate in California?
Yes. CCU holds institutional approval from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) of the State of California and is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC), listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

What do I need to apply?
Undergraduate applicants must be at least 18 years old and hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent from a U.S. educational institution. No entrance exams, test scores, or letters of recommendation are required. Prospective students whose native language is not English and who have not earned a degree from an appropriately accredited institution where English is the principal language of instruction must demonstrate college-level proficiency in English through TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Graduate applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Can I transfer credits from a California community college or university?
Yes. CCU accepts transfer credit from institutions accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-recognized agency, which includes California community colleges and state universities. Associate degree students may transfer up to 30 applicable semester units; bachelor's degree students may transfer up to 93 applicable semester units. Transfer grades must be a C (2.0 GPA) or higher and must be applicable to CCU's degree plan.

How much does a criminal justice degree from CCU cost?
Undergraduate tuition is $170 per unit across all programs. Graduate tuition is $250 per unit. CCU offers three interest-free payment plans: Plan A is $500 down and $150/month; Plan B is $300 down and $175/month; or pay the full balance at enrollment. No interest is charged and no credit check is required, however past due payments will be assessed a past due fee.

How does the online self-paced format work?
There are no live sessions, no scheduled login times, and no calendar-based deadlines. You work through your courses independently at your own pace. Each course requires a minimum of two weeks before the final exam can be requested. Core and general education courses require a proctored final exam. The proctor is selected by the student and approved by the University — a supervisor, co-worker, librarian, or member of the clergy are typical examples. A proctor cannot be an immediate family member, someone who resides with you, or a current or former CCU student. Immediate family is defined as: spouse, parent, child, sibling, grandparent, and/or grandchild.

When can I start?
At any point during the year. CCU's open enrollment means there are no semester start dates or application cycles to navigate. VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

Is financial aid available?
CCU does not participate in federal financial aid programs. However, the university accepts VA Benefits, MyCAA benefits for eligible military spouses, and company-paid tuition vouchers. Many students also receive tuition reimbursement through their employer — check with your HR department to find out what's available.

What is the academic calendar for California Coast University?
CCU operates on rolling 16-week terms beginning approximately every three to four weeks, enabling continuous, year-round enrollment. VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

Your California Criminal Justice Degree Starts Here

CCU is a California institution that has been serving California students — and students across the country — for over 50 years. The criminal justice degree you earn here is accredited, affordable, and built around the demands of real professional life. Wherever you are in California, your degree doesn't have to wait.

VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

Questions? Call Admissions at 1-888-228-8648 or Students at 1-714-547-9625

California Coast University is accredited by the Distance Education Accrediting Commission (DEAC). DEAC is listed by the U.S. Department of Education as a nationally recognized accrediting agency and is recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA). CCU holds Institutional Approval from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) of the State of California.