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Criminal justice schools in California offer different kinds of degrees to cater to the varying needs of students. For instance, many criminal justice schools in The Golden State offer an associate’s degree, which is ideal for those looking for a quick entry into the law enforcement landscape. Several schools also offer a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, which is required for most jobs in the field of law enforcement.

If you want to learn more about criminal justice schools in California, including the admission and coursework requirements, the following guide would be a great help to you.

Admission Requirements for Criminal Justice Schools in California

Admission requirements for criminal justice programs would vary according to the degree. Students who intend to enroll in an associate’s degree in criminal justice would typically be required to have just a high school diploma. Students who want to go for a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice would have to complete a high school diploma, along with meeting other requirements like a minimum GPA and SAT or ACT scores.

Individuals opting for a master’s degree in criminal justice would have to provide proof of having completed a bachelor’s degree, along with their official transcripts, letters of recommendation and an updated resume. They would also ensure a minimum GPA of 3.0 at the undergraduate level.

Coursework for Criminal Justice Schools in California

The courses included in a criminal justice program would be different for each degree level. However, it must be noted that most criminal justice programs explore similar themes at different levels of complexity. Students study subjects in areas such as law enforcement, the US Legal System, Criminal Investigations, Terrorism and National Security and Criminology Theory. Concentration options are available with advanced degrees. These could include the likes of forensic science, cybersecurity, juvenile and family justice, legal studies and homeland security.

What can you do after completing Criminal Justice School in California?

Completing a criminal justice degree can lead to a variety of exciting and high paying careers. Students can become paralegals, probation officers, FBI agents, information security analysts and emergency management directors among other options. They may also go for careers in corrections, police, crime scene investigations, homicide and crime prevention units.

How much can you make after completing a Criminal Justice Degree in California?

The amount of money you make after completing a criminal justice program would depend on the exact job you hold. On a general note, protective service occupations in the US paid an annual median income of $43,710 in May 2020, which is slightly higher than the median annual wage for all occupations of $41,950. The salary potential varied according to occupation and the location of the job. For instance, Police and Detectives made an annual median income of $67,290, while Private Detectives and Investigators made an income of $53,320 in May 2020.

Salary figures also varied according to location. Private Detectives and Investigators made an annual mean wage of $70,350 in California, which is higher than any other state. Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers made an annual mean wage of $107,440 in 2020, which is also higher than any other state.

National Estimates for Registered Nurses in California

Employment 1Hourly mean wageAnnual mean wage 2Employment per 1,000 jobsLocation quotient 9
307060$57.96$120,560190.87

(1) Estimates for detailed occupations do not sum to the totals because the totals include occupations not shown separately. Estimates do not include self-employed workers.

(2) Annual wages have been calculated by multiplying the hourly mean wage by a “year-round, full-time” hours figure of 2,080 hours; for those occupations where there is not an hourly wage published, the annual wage has been directly calculated from the reported survey data.

(9) The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration. A location quotient greater than one indicates the occupation has a higher share of employment than average, and a location quotient less than one indicates the occupation is less prevalent in the area than average.

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