Criminal Justice Programs in California | Online & Self-Paced

California Has Plenty of Criminal Justice Programs. Here's Why Working Adults Choose CCU.

Searching for criminal justice programs in California means wading through a long list of schools — many of them built around traditional campus schedules, in-person attendance, and rigid semester timelines. California Coast University takes a different approach. As an accredited institution with more than 50 years of experience delivering distance education, CCU offers criminal justice programs at every level — from a focused undergraduate certificate all the way through a master's degree — entirely online, entirely self-paced, and entirely designed for students who have lives that can't be put on hold for a classroom.

CCU's Criminal Justice Programs in California — Every Level, 100% Online

CCU's School of Criminal Justice offers a full range of programs to meet students wherever they are in their educational journey. Whether you're stepping into the field for the first time or building on an existing career, there's a program structured for your goals.

What Separates CCU's Criminal Justice Programs From the Rest

The distinction between CCU and other criminal justice programs in California isn't just format — it's philosophy. CCU was built on the premise that education should work around your life, not the other way around. That commitment shows in how every program is structured and delivered.

Admissions: A Process That Doesn't Get in the Way

CCU's admissions process reflects the same values as its academic programs — accessible, straightforward, and built for people with real-world responsibilities. To qualify for any of CCU's undergraduate criminal justice programs, applicants must:

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

No SAT or ACT scores. No entrance exams. 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. Graduate program applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

Tuition for CCU's Criminal Justice Programs

CCU's tuition structure is intentionally straightforward — no out-of-state surcharges, no hidden online delivery fees, and no ambiguity about what you'll pay from day one. Tuition is priced at $170 per unit for all undergraduate criminal justice programs — the certificate, associate's, and bachelor's degree. Graduate programs are priced at $250 per unit.

Your tuition rate is locked in at enrollment and will not increase as long as you remain 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). Many students also receive tuition reimbursement through their employer — check with your HR department.

The CCU Difference: Decades of Experience and Faculty Who Bring the Field Into the Classroom

What makes CCU worth considering among California's criminal justice programs goes beyond the convenience of an online format. It comes down to two things: institutional depth and faculty quality.

CCU was established in 1973 — more than 50 years ago — at a time when distance learning was an idea most institutions hadn't yet embraced. Over the past five decades, CCU has consistently served working professionals, military personnel, parents, and students with geographic or personal constraints that made traditional campus education impractical. That history represents something real: a track record of building programs that hold up academically while working for people with demanding lives.

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).

On the faculty side, CCU's criminal justice instructors bring something that sets the programs apart from theory-heavy academic offerings: genuine professional experience. CCU faculty members are selected not only for their academic credentials but for their demonstrated expertise and hands-on backgrounds in their respective areas of the field. That means the coursework students complete at CCU is shaped by people who have operated within the justice system, not simply studied it from a distance. The School of Criminal Justice is led by Dr. Mohamad Khatibloo, who brings a highly diverse background spanning both academia 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 Can CCU's Criminal Justice Programs Take You?

A criminal justice credential from CCU — at any level — represents a substantive investment in your professional future. The field spans a wide range of roles and settings, from law enforcement and corrections to court administration, security, juvenile justice, and government agencies at the local, state, and federal level. CCU's program pathway also means that students can start where they are and build upward — beginning with a certificate, moving into an associate's or bachelor's degree, and continuing to graduate study — all through the same institution, all online. 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 cannot be combined with other offers).

Frequently Asked Questions: CCU's Criminal Justice Programs in California

What criminal justice programs does CCU offer?
CCU's School of Criminal Justice offers four programs entirely online: 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, and the Master of Science in Criminal Justice. All programs are self-paced with no set class times.

Do I need to live in California to enroll in a CCU criminal justice program?
No. CCU's programs are 100% online and available to students regardless of location. Students from across California and throughout the country enroll in CCU's criminal justice programs.

What are the admission requirements?
Undergraduate applicants must be at least 18 years of age and hold a high school diploma, GED, or equivalent from a U.S. educational institution. No entrance exams, SAT 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. Graduate applicants must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.

How much do CCU's criminal justice programs cost?
Tuition is $170 per unit for all undergraduate programs — the certificate, associate's, and bachelor's degree. 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.

Can I transfer credits from another institution into a CCU program?
Yes. CCU accepts transfer credit from U.S. Department of Education-recognized accredited institutions. The number of applicable transfer units varies by program level. All transfer courses must have been completed with a grade of C (2.0 GPA) or higher and must be applicable to CCU's degree plan.

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 options may be available to you.

How does the self-paced online format work?
Students work through coursework independently with no live sessions, no required login times, and no weekly deadlines. Each course requires a minimum of two weeks before the final exam can be requested. Final exams for core and general education courses require a proctor, selected by the student and approved by the University. Typical examples include a supervisor, co-worker, librarian, or member of the clergy. 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.

Can I start at any time or are there specific enrollment periods?
CCU uses open enrollment across all its criminal justice programs — there are no semester start dates, no application cycles, and no waiting periods. You can apply and begin at any point during the year. VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

Is CCU accredited?
Yes. 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). CCU also holds institutional approval from the Bureau of Private Postsecondary Education (BPPE) of the State of California.

What is the academic calendar for California Coast University?
CCU utilizes rolling 16-week terms that begin approximately every three to four weeks, supporting year-round, flexible enrollment. VA students and students using tuition assistance must use the term calendar.

Take the Next Step With a CCU Criminal Justice Program

You don't have to choose between your responsibilities and your education. CCU's criminal justice programs in California — and beyond — are built to fit around the life you're already living, with the accreditation, affordability, and academic quality that make the credential worth earning. Whether you're starting with a certificate or working toward a master's degree, CCU has a program at the right level for where you are today.

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.