Transfer Articulation: Criminal Justice

As one of the most established, largest, and most prestigious criminal justice programs in the country, the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology continues to set national standards in the field in both research and education. The Department offers undergraduate degrees in residence and on-line, as well as a minor in Criminal Justice Equity and Inclusion. The Journal of Criminal Justice Education ranked the faculty in our Department #1 in research productivity. Additionally, US News and World Report ranked our on-line master's degree program #2 in the United States. We are pleased to offer a program allowing students working on or completing the AA degree to transfer a maximum of 66 academic credit hours towards the Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University. The degree from SHSU requires a minimum of 120 hours. Courses listed as "upper division (3000 or 4000 level course numbers)" must be completed at the senior institution. With careful selection of electives, a student may attain an AA or AS degree while satisfying the first two years of the corresponding baccalaureate degree at Sam Houston State University.

Department Contact: Lori Rodriguez
Phone: 936-294-3946
Location: Beto Criminal Justice Center, Room A250

Courses Transfer Students Should Take:* 

SHSU Course NumberCollege/TCCN SHSU Course Title Semester Credit Hours
CRIJ 2361CRIJ 1301Introduction To The Criminal Justice System3
CRIJ 2362CRIJ 1307Criminology3
CRIJ 2364CRIJ 1310Fundamentals Of Criminal Law3
CRIJ 2365CRIJ 2313Correctional Systems and Practice3
CRIJ 2367CRIJ 2328Police Systems & Practices3

*Note: Other courses may transfer, depending upon the selected degree or program.  Meet with your academic advisor to confirm whether coursework will transfer from another institution. For a complete listing of degree-specific requirements, please, review the degree plan within the Undergraduate Catalog


All degrees require a minimum of 120 hours with 42 advanced hours (3000 and 4000 level courses).  In general, the Bachelor of Arts degree requires 8 hours of lab science with 12-14 credits of foreign language. Applicants for the Bachelor of Arts degree should consult their major department web page for foreign language requirements. The Bachelor of Science degree requires 8 hours of lab science with 15 hours of social sciences. Applicants for the Bachelor of Science degree should consult their major department web page for social science requirements. For more information, please visit the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology's major program web page

Many colleges and programs have additional prerequisites for upper-level classes. Prior to enrolling in core classes, students are encouraged to review specific degree requirements for their major.  Selection of major specified core courses may reduce the total number of hours required for graduation. Students are encouraged to select the university Catalog for which they are eligible (actively enrolled in courses) offering them the most advantages with respect to degree completion. The respective university and/or college catalog selected for graduation determines final degree requirements.

Field of Study 

Sam Houston State University supports the State of Texas Fields of Study

The Core Curriculum at Sam Houston State University (to be used by all incoming students as of fall 2014) contains 42 semester credit hours, encompassing nine component areas. Each component area has a minimum credit hour requirement and a selection of specific courses that may be used to satisfy the requirement. The Core Curriculum details Sam Houston State University courses and their Texas Common Course Number (TCCN) equivalents for college transfer students which comprise SHSU’s core curriculum.

Many SHSU disciplines including the sciences, business, and education require specific courses from the SHSU core as degree specific graduation requirements. To minimize cost and time to complete degree requirements always select SHSU/transfer core courses specified as degree requirements in your intended major.  If you have not decided on a major, select core courses supporting your intended area of academic concentration.

Prior to enrolling in core classes, students are encouraged to review specific degree requirements for their major. Selection of major-specified core courses reduces the total number of hours required for graduation.

If you do not see a Texas Common Course Number (TCCN) mapping a specific core course to your transfer institution, please go to Transfer Course Equivalency Guide and select your institution from the drop-down menu. The result will list all currently mapped transfer courses from your institution to SHSU courses.