Enquire to study in the UK 
Growing up, Steven Lim spent many days after school, weekends, and summers helping his parents. They were refugees from Cambodia who worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week, at a Chinese fast-food restaurant. “My parents barely completed their high school education, but they always told me to study hard,” Lim says.
Their wish came true when Lim entered California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) to study Crime Analysis and Geographic Information Sciences.
The School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at CSUSB prepares students to become well-qualified experts in criminal justice agencies and beyond. Lim’s programme is a professional degree developed to train students for a career as an intelligence or crime analyst, for public or private service.
Source: California State University, San Bernardin
The ICA degree programme was designed to offer students an opportunity to develop the advanced analytic skills required for the crime and security issues facing a big data, high-tech global world. This interdisciplinary degree interweaves curriculum from five departments: criminal justice, geography and environmental studies, information and decision sciences, political science, and history.
The programme offers extensive training in research, analytics, and data management. Instruction involves practical, hand-on activities to develop professional skills and requires independent research or an internship. With the skills and knowledge he gained at CSUSB, Lim landed a role at the Rancho Cucamonga Station. It wasn’t long before he started adding value to his organisation.
“When I was assigned to Rancho Station, I noticed we were using a very traditional method for one of our forms,” he says. “I used what I learned at CSUSB to create a database using ArcGIS (a web-based mapping software) to better navigate these forms. The map provided a faster way to interpret the forms and gave my partners an additional tool to use while on patrol.”
CSUSB is where students like Lim prepare for and define their future. Every year, it graduates 4,000 students, many of whom become success stories using the professional, ethical, and intellectual development they gain here. Here’s how CSUSB has transformed millions of lives since opening in 1965:
It is diverse
CSUSB students come from all walks of life. The university has the most diverse student population of any university in the Inland Empire and the second-highest African American and Hispanic enrolments of all public universities in California. More than four in five (81%) of the student body is the first in their family to attend college.
With a highly diverse community, Criminal Justice students get invaluable training in empathy. This trait is crucial for anyone preparing to join complex social, economic, and governmental institutions and for anyone seeking to be catalysts and advocates for positive change in their community.
Experiential learning opportunities
Whichever School of Criminal Justice and Criminology degree programme you join, you will learn by doing. Lim recalls his classes with Dr. Gisela Bichler and how they helped him develop the ability to think outside the box. “I remember how she would task us with these big research projects but break them down so that they seemed so simple,” he says. “I remember going out into the field collecting data, then building a database, analysing the database, and presenting the findings.”
BS in Intelligence and Crime Analysis (ICA) students can take minors in related fields. Lim’s minors in Accounting and Geography, have helped him in his career today.
“The accounting aspect has helped me with white-collar investigation. I have reviewed numerous financial statements and having an accounting background made interpreting the statements much easier. The GIS background helped me during field training because it allowed me to learn the city much faster,” he shares.
Source: California State University, San Bernardin
Affordable housing
At CSUSB, whether you are looking to rent or buy, the city offers affordable housing compared to other parts of California. San Bernardino ranks lower in terms of housing costs compared to many other cities in the state, such as Los Angeles or San Diego.
For students seeking accommodation near or on campus, there are a few options available. You can choose from on-campus housing, off-campus apartments, or shared rental houses. On-campus housing provides convenience and a sense of community, while off-campus options offer more independence and flexibility.
Unrivalled location with many recreational opportunities
Thanks to CSUSB’s unbeatable location and countless opportunities, there is always something to see and do, within and beyond campus. You can join more than 100 student clubs and organisations or get involved with the Office of Student Engagement and the Associated Students, Inc. Both are great ways to learn leadership skills, participate in traditions, give back to CSUSB and the Inland Empire Community and gain more practical experience. Over at the Student Recreation and Wellness Center, there is a 34-foot climbing wall, tennis courts, basketball courts, group activity rooms for aerobics, dance and martial arts classes, and an outdoor swimming pool. The Student Union houses a brand new eight-lane bowling alley, game room, pub, and multiple dining options.
Step beyond campus and you can explore everything from the floor of the Mojave Desert Basin to the alpine villages of Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear. Wide open spaces and many outdoor adventures await, from skiing and snowboarding to hiking and water sports. Major cities such as Los Angeles and Palm Springs are just a short drive away, placing you within reach of many events and career opportunities. “SB County is the largest county in the US,” says Lim. “Having such a large area gives graduates the opportunity to work in urban, rural, and mountain areas.”
Source: California State University, San Bernardin
Good climate and picturesque scenery
Your university environment and experience matter just as much as the education you receive.
It is important that you are in a place where the weather boosts your motivation and mood.
CSUSB’s beautiful surroundings can help alleviate the stress of studying. San Bernardino boasts a warm climate with plenty of sunshine all year round. With an average of 280 days of sunshine annually, you can explore the outdoors without worrying about the weather interrupting your plans.
“I remember when I first visited CSUSB, I was amazed at how close they were to the mountains. The scenery was amazing, and I loved how spacious the campus was,” shares Lim.
Apply to the School of Criminology and Criminal Justice at CSUB today.
Follow California State University, San Bernardino on Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube and TikTok.
