Prospective police officers may be graduates of a criminal justice program.
Criminal justice is the study of criminal behavior and laws. USLegal.com provides this formal definition: "Criminal justice is a broad term covering topics such as the procedure by which criminal conduct is investigated, evidence gathered, arrests made, charges brought, defenses raised, trials conducted, sentences rendered and punishment carried out." In criminal justice colleges, degree programs are available at the undergraduate and graduate levels, and graduates are prepared to work in law enforcement or law. Career titles include criminologist, probation officer, paralegal and police officer.
California Lutheran University
California Lutheran University is located in Thousand Oaks, California, and offers a bachelor's degree in criminal justice. Students learn through academic coursework, research projects and internships. The courses cover topics such as political science, psychology, public administration and sociology. Students may also minor in legal studies and learn about economic, philosophical and social issues in law enforcement. According to California Lutheran University, 80 percent of students gain employment in the field after graduation.
California State University, Long Beach
The College of Health and Human Services at California State University, Long Beach offers a bachelor's and master's degree program in criminal justice. The bachelor's degree program is 120 credits and covers topics such as the following: criminal justice system, criminal courts and judicial processes, policing, substantive criminal law and statistics in criminal justice. Students in the master's degree program must complete 36 credits. The master's program focuses on public policy, research methods, criminal justice theories and administration.
California State University, Chico
California State University, Chico offers a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice that includes courses in juvenile justice process, corrections, policing in America, criminology and social psychology. In addition to courses, students also must complete a senior capstone seminar in criminal justice. Elective courses available include administrative law, constitutional law, legal process and behavior, American political thought and liberal and conservative thoughts.
California State University, Fullerton
The Division of Politics, Administration and Justice at California State University, Fullerton offers a Bachelor of Arts in criminal justice. The program focuses on areas involving law enforcement, corrections, courts, psychology, public administration and political science. Students in the program learn about criminal justice research, develop an understanding of the criminal justice system and think critically about criminal behavior. Students are also required to participate in an internship and develop professional experience for future employment opportunities.
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