Undergraduate Programs

All new freshman and transfer students will be admitted as Pre-Criminal Justice majors.  For details on transitioning to a criminal justice major see Student Services and Advising or visit the Student Service Center in Alpine Hall 133.

Incoming Freshmen

Orientation is mandatory for students who wish to declare Criminal Justice as a major. This becomes even more important with the program's upcoming impaction status.  You will learn about program requirements; learn how you advance from a pre-criminal justice major to a major; and meet your advisor, the Division Chair and the staff of the Criminal Justice Advising Center.  You must meet with your faculty advisor during your first year.  At this time you can begin to plan you course sequence and selection.

Transfer Students

You should begin the advising process before you begin classes.  Orientation is mandatory for students who wish to declare Criminal Justice as a major  In addition to new student orientation, both faculty advisors and the Criminal Justice Advising Center are available during the summer.   You should meet with your assigned advisor preceding or during your first semester at CSUS to plan your course sequence and begin planning your elective selection.  This process can both aid you in shaping your program to your career goals and in charting the shortest course to graduation.

Career Options:

  • Investigative positions with federal state and local agencies such as the FBI, ATF, Secret Service, DEA, Customs, California Department of Justice, Alcohol Beverage Control, Department of Motor Vehicles, district attorney's and public defender's offices and numerous others.
  • Uniformed law enforcement positions with agencies at all levels of government, including: police officer, deputy sheriff, highway patrol or state police officer, border patrol agent and natural resources officer ·
  • Probation and parole officers, correctional counselors, correctional officers · Private security consultants, private investigators and corporate security officers, and loss prevention specialists ·
  • Crime analysts and crime scene technicians ·
  • Victim services and a wide variety of social service agencies related to crime, justice and rehabilitation ·
  • In addition, graduates can pursue advanced degrees in law or research disciplines.

Forensics Investigation Minor for Biology or Chemistry Majors

This minor is designed for Biology or Chemistry majors who wish to obtain an overview of the criminal justice system, so as to broaden their perspective when they enter the workforce.

This minor requires

  • Declared major in Biology or Chemistry
  • CRJ 001  Introduction to Criminal Justice and Society
  • CRJ 002  Law of Crimes
  • CRJ 004  General Investigation Techniques
  • CRJ 121  Structure and Function of the American Courts
  • CRJ 141  Police and Society
  • CRJ 153  Advanced Criminal Investigation (Prerequisite: CRJ 004)
  • CRJ 154  Introduction to Physical Evidence (Prerequisite: CRJ 004)

I'm not a Biology or Chemistry major but I want to do Forensics!

We receive numerous inquires regarding careers in forensic science or criminalistics. Many students have developed an interest in this area of study from watching television portrayals.   In reality there are three general job classifications that deal with forensic evidence.  Crime scene technicians are employed by most police agencies to process crime scenes under the direction of detectives or investigators.  Although a degree in criminal justice could be applied to such a position, these jobs do not require BA degrees and have little potential for promotion.  Many agencies train their own technicians and many community colleges offer courses in evidence and crime scene processing.  Police and sheriff's departments select detectives from experienced members of their uniform patrol forces.  Federal and state agencies hire special agents and investigators directly.  A degree in criminal justice is appropriate preparation for either uniformed policing or investigative positions.  Forensic chemists conduct the actual testing of evidence in the laboratory setting.  A degree in chemistry, preferably with a minor in criminal justice, is the most appropriate preparation for such a position.  Some positions exist in forensic laboratories for tool mark and ballistics examiners without formal training in chemistry, but these positions are limited and require extensive on-the-job training.  We advise students interested in forensics to seek advising early in their academic careers.

A program in Forensic Science is NOT offered in the Criminal Justice Division at California State.

Students interested in this this discipline should research their options with the Chemistry or Biology departments.