Undergraduate Program

Impaction

Criminal Justice is now an impacted major. Please see our site on impaction and the current requirements for admission to the major.

The Criminal Justice minor is currently suspended; no new minors are being accepted at this time.

Incoming Freshmen

Orientation is mandatory for students who wish to later declare Criminal Justice as a major. You will learn about program requirements; and meet the staff of the Criminal Justice Advising Center. 

Transfer Students

Transfer students should familiarize themselves with the current requirements for admission to the Criminal Justice major.  Because in-progress grades are no longer acceptable, students should be sure to complete the lower-division course requirements at least one semester prior to their transfer to Sac State.  Students who have the required lower-division coursework in progress at the time of admission to Sac State will not be eligible to apply to the major until the next major admission cycle; this does not affect the student's admission to the University, but will delay progress in the major.

Orientation is mandatory for students who wish to declare Criminal Justice as a major. 

Students who have been accepted to the major will be assigned an advisor. Meeting with your assigned advisor for course planning during your first semester at CSUS will greatly assist 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 inquiries 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 discipline should research their options with the Chemistry or Biology departments.