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ApplyBA in Criminal Justice | BS in Criminal Justice | BA in Victim Studies | BS in Victim Studies | Course Descriptions
Chair
Gaylene Armstrong, Ph.D.
garmstrong@shsu.edu
936.294-4735
Faculty
Gaylene Armstrong, Todd Armstrong, Brandy L. Blasko, Danielle Boisvert, Jeffery Bouffard, Leana Bouffard, Mary Breaux, Steven Cuvelier, Cortney Franklin, Travis Franklin, Brittany Hayes, R.L. Garner, Jurg Gerber, Larry Hoover, William King, Kathleen Latz, Dennis Longmire, Phillip Lyons, Scott Menard, Holly Miller, Lisa Muftic, Janet Mullings, Will Oliver, Erin Orrick, Ryan Randa, Ling Ren, Mitchel Roth, Melinda Tasca, Raymond Teske, Victoria Titterington, Michael Vaughn, Sparks Veasey III, Bill Wells, Yan Zhang, Jihong Solomon Zhao,
About
Be a part of one of the highest ranked Criminal Justice and Criminology programs in the nation!
Faculty recently recognized as the 4th most productive researchers in the country provide foundational courses to develop your skills in reasoning and analysis. Focus on the special needs of crime victims, careers in law enforcement or corrections. Or continue your education as a criminal justice researcher by exploring the Master's or Ph.D. program in Criminology and Criminal Justice. Do all this and more in Sam Houston State University’s Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, one of the largest and most prestigious criminal justice programs in the nation.
As a Criminal Justice major at SHSU, the opportunities are endless:
- Learn from faculty who conduct research in all aspects of the criminal justice system
- A top ranked Doctoral program
- Training institutes that draw law enforcement and correctional professionals from around the world
- Research Institutes in Law Enforcement, Corrections, Victims, and Legal Studies
- Recruiters from various agencies around the world visit the center on a regular basis.
- Students receive real world experience by participating in agency tours, internships, and regional/national conferences.
Mission
The College of Criminal Justice is committed to providing students with a quality liberal arts education. Students will gain an appreciation of their role as criminal justice professionals and as contributing members of society. The College also is committed to producing high quality research and to providing public service and technical assistance to communities and criminal justice agencies.
Contact Information
Doris Pratt
pratt@shsu.edu
keads@shsu.edu 936.294.3637
Academic Programs
| Major | Degree(s) |
|---|---|
| Criminal Justice | B.A., B.S. |
| Victim Studies | B.A. B.S. |
| Note: This listing of undergraduate degree programs is correct as of December 2014 and does not include those degree programs being phased out. | |
Highlights
SHSU’s College of Criminal Justice has been consistently ranked among the top criminal justice programs in the nation in both value and quality by U.S. News & World Report, the Journal of Criminal Justice, and many other publications.
Suggested Minors
- Accounting
- Biology
- Chemistry
- Communication Studies
- Computer Science
- Foreign Language
- Forensic Anthropology
- Forensic Science
- General Business
- Information Assurance
- Psychology
- Sociology
Career Opportunities
- Police Agencies - Federal, State, County, Municipal
- Security Management
- Immigration/Customs Enforcement
- Border Patrol
- Drug Enforcement
- Private Investigation
- Probation
- Parole
- Family/Child Services
- Correctional Advisor/Counselor
- Game Warden
- Military Police
- Military Intelligence
- Victim Services Specialist
Student Organizations and Activities
- Alpha Phi Sigma National Criminal Justice Honor Society
- Crime Victims Service Alliance
- Lambda Alpha Epsilon Criminal Justice Association
- National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice
- Phi Alpha Delta Pre-Law Society
- Society of Forensic Science
The College of Criminal Justice hosts a variety of events for students, including special guest lecturers at Real Talk with CJ, a career fair, an undergraduate conference, and mock courtroom trials.
Internships
An integral part of all degree offerings is the opportunity for field placement experience. The internship program is designed to provide students valuable work experience, on-the-job training, and an opportunity to develop a professional networking base for the future. Students in this program are offered unparalleled opportunities to participate in one of the nation's leading internship programs in the field of criminal justice.
Scholarships
Scholarships are available to criminal justice majors and awarded in the spring of each year at the College of Criminal Justice Honors Convocation for the following academic year. With the exception of incoming freshmen scholarships, a student must have completed at least one long semester at Sam houston State University.
Information on specific scholarships available in the College of Criminal Justice are available through Cutty Gilbert (cutty@shsu.edu) at 936.294.3755 .
Please see the College of Criminal Justice section for information on college and university level scholarships.
Curriculum
Sam Houston State University is authorized by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board to offer a Bachelor of Arts degree and a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in Criminal Justice or Victim Studies. Coursework for these degrees is offered by the College of Criminal Justice. The prefix designation for registration purposes is “CRIJ"
Program Specific Requirements
Please see the individual degree plans below for degree specific requirements.
Criminal Justice Core
| Criminal Justice Core | ||
|---|---|---|
| SHSU Course Number | Course Name | Hours |
| CRIJ 2361 | Introduction to the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| CRIJ 2362 | Criminology | 3 |
| CRIJ 2364 | Fundamentals of Criminal Law | 3 |
| CRIJ 2365 | Correctional Systems and Practices | 3 |
| CRIJ 2367 | Police Systems and Practices | 3 |
| CRIJ 3378 | Introduction to Methods of Research | 3 |
| CRIJ 4385 | Crime, Justice, and Social Diversity | 3 |
| CRIJ 3350 | Victimology | 3 |
| 24 | ||
| Major (No Minor) | |
|---|---|
| Core Courses | 24 |
| Criminal Justice Advanced Electives | 21 |
| Major (With Approved Minor in Another Field) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Core Courses | 24 | |
| Criminal Justice Electives* | 12 or 15 | |
| Minor | 18 | |
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Criminal Justice
| Notes | ||
| 1Equivalents such as PSYC 3301, SOCI 3443 can be taken to satisfy STAT 3379. | ||
| Forty-two semester hours of advanced coursework (3000 or 4000 level) are the absolute minimum. Minimum number of semester hours in residence: 30 semester hours of which 24 must be advanced. | ||
| Use general electives to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement. | ||
| Bachelor of Arts - Major in Criminal Justice | ||
|---|---|---|
| SHSU Course Number | Hours | Recommended Sequence |
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | 1st year |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) | 8 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) | 4 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| ENGL 3330 | 3 | Must be taken in Residence |
| 1STAT 3379 | 3 | Junior |
| Foreign Language | 14 | |
| Criminal Justice Major Core | ||
| CRIJ 2361 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 2362 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 2364 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 2365 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 2367 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 3378 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 4385 | 3 | Must be taken after CRIJ 3378 |
| CRIJ 3350 | 3 | Senior |
| Criminal Justice Major Electives | ||
| CRIJ Advanced Electives | 21 | |
| General Electives | 13 | |
| Minor (if required) | ||
| Total Hours: | 120 | |
Bachelor of Science, Major in Criminal Justice
| Notes | ||
| 1Equivalents such as PSYC 3301, SOCI 3443 can be taken to satisfy STAT 3379. | ||
| 2The following courses: ECON 2300, POLS 2306, and PHYS 1301 will satisfy Component Area V and degree specific requirements. | ||
| Forty-two semester hours of advanced coursework (3000 or 4000 level) are the absolute minimum. Minimum number of semester hours in residence: 30 semester hours of which 24 must be advanced. | ||
| Use general electives to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement. | ||
| Bachelor of Science - Major in Criminal Justice | ||
|---|---|---|
| SHSU Course Number | Hours | Recommended Sequence |
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | 1st year |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) | 8 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) | 4 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| ENGL 3330 | 3 | Must be taken in Residence |
| 1STAT 3379 | 3 | Junior |
| 2ECON 2300, PHIL 2303, PHIL 3362, PHIL 3365, POLS 2302, POLS 3393, PSYC 1301, PSYC 3331, PSYC 3383, SOCI 1301, SOCI 3324 | 15 | |
| Criminal Justice Major Core | ||
| CRIJ 2361 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 2362 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 2364 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 2365 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 2367 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 3378 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 4385 | 3 | Must be taken after CRIJ 3378 |
| CRIJ 3350 | 3 | Senior |
| Criminal Justice Major Electives | ||
| CJ Advanced Electives | 21 | |
| General Electives | 12 | |
| Minor (if required) | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Bachelor of Arts, Major in Victim Studies
| Notes | ||
| Forty-two semester hours of advanced coursework (3000 or 4000 level) are the absolute minimum. Minimum number of semester hours in residence: 30 semester hours of which 24 must be advanced. | ||
| Use general electives to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement. | ||
| Bachelor of Arts - Major in Victim Studies | ||
|---|---|---|
| SHSU Course Number | Hours | Recommended Sequence |
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | 1st year |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) | 8 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) | 4 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| Foreign Language | 14 | |
| Victims Studies Major Core | ||
| CRIJ 2361 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 2362 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 3378 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 4380 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 4398 | 3 | |
| Victim Specific Courses (6 hrs.) | ||
| CRIJ 4338, CRIJ 4383, CRIJ 4390, CRIJ 3341 | 6 | |
| Victims Service Courses (6 hrs.) | ||
| CRIJ 4351, POLS 3338, CRIJ 4370, CRIJ 3351 | 6 | |
| Social Justice Courses (6 hrs.) | ||
| CRIJ 4385, CRIJ 3340, SOCI 3333, SOCI 3364 | 6 | |
| Additional Electives | ||
| CRIJ 2364, CRIJ 3368, CRIJ 4362, PHIL 4371, POLS 3393, PSYC 2305, PSYC 3331, PSYC 2315, SOCI 3341, COUN 2331, CRIJ 4373 | 9 | |
| General Elective | 16 | |
| Minor (if required) | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Bachelor of Science, Major in Victim Studies
| Notes | ||
| Forty-two semester hours of advanced coursework (3000 or 4000 level) are the absolute minimum. Minimum number of semester hours in residence: 30 semester hours of which 24 must be advanced. | ||
| Use general electives to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement. | ||
| Bachelor of Science - Major in Victim Studies | ||
|---|---|---|
| SHSU Course Number | Hours | Recommended Sequence |
| Core Curriculum | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | 1st year |
| Component Area II (Mathematics) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) | 8 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) | 4 | 1st or 2nd year |
| Degree Specific Requirements | ||
| ECON 2300, PHIL 2303, PHIL 3362, PHIL 3365, POLS 2302, POLS 3393, PSYC 1301, PSYC 3331, PSYC 3383, SOCI 1301, SOCI 3324 | 15 | |
| Victims Studies Major Core | ||
| CRIJ 2361 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 2362 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 3378 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 4380 | 3 | |
| CRIJ 4398 | 3 | |
| Victim Specific Courses (6 hrs.) | ||
| CRIJ 4338, CRIJ 4383, CRIJ 4390, CRIJ 3341 | 6 | |
| Victims Service Courses (6 hrs.) | ||
| PSYC 1301, POLS 3338, POLS 4370, CRIJ 3351 | 6 | |
| Social Justice Courses (6 hrs.) | ||
| CRIJ 4385, CRIJ 3340, SOCI 3333, SOCI 3364 | 6 | |
| Additional Electives | ||
| CRIJ 2364, CRIJ 3368, CRIJ 4362, PHIL 4371, POLS 3393, PSYC 2305, PSYC 3331, PSYC 2315, SOCI 3341, COUN 2331, CRIJ 4373 | 9 | |
| General Electives | 15 | |
| Minor (if required) | 18 | |
| Total Hours | 120 | |
Minor in Criminal Justice
| Minor in Criminal Justice | |
|---|---|
| SHSU Course Number | Hours |
| CRIJ 2361 Introduction to the Criminal Justice System | 3 |
| CRIJ 2362 Criminology | 3 |
| CRIJ 2364 Criminal Law | 3 |
| CRIJ 4385 Crime, Justice and Social Diversity | 3 |
| CRIJ Advanced Elective | 6 |
| 18 | |
