What are some good criminal justice colleges in California?

I'm really interested in studying criminal justice and I'd like to stay in California for college. Does anyone have any recommendations for colleges in California with strong criminal justice programs?

Sure, there are several California universities known for their criminal justice programs that may be a great fit for your academic needs.

1. University of California, Irvine (UCI): UCI offers a criminology, law, and society major that has a comprehensive approach to the study of crime and society's response to it. Their program really emphasizes the understanding of criminal behavior, law enforcement, and more through a social science perspective.

2. California State University, Long Beach (CSULB): CSULB has a strong criminal justice department that provides students with a broad understanding of the system and how to navigate it. They have a good track record in terms of student placements after graduation and offer opportunities for internships which can provide practical experience.

3. San Diego State University (SDSU): The criminal justice program at SDSU prepares students for a variety of career paths including policing, judicial or court system, corrections, and juvenile justice. They have an extensive curriculum and have a purely academic approach towards criminal justice and criminology.

4. University of Southern California (USC): USC offers a specialized undergraduate major in Law, History, and Culture that can serve as solid underpinning for future criminal justice studies. Additionally, through USC's Gould School of Law, they offer a Master of Studies in Law (MSL) which could be beneficial post-undergrad.

Remember, a good way to decide which program suits you best is to consider your career goals and then look into what each program offers, including internships and study abroad opportunities. This will give you an insight into the practical application of what you learn in the classroom. Always check the college's course catalog to understand the courses included in the program, and consider visiting the campus if possible to get a feel for the university environment. Lastly, if possible, talk with current students and faculty from the program to get their perspective.