Bachelor of Science, Major in Criminal Justice

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.  

Bachelor of Science, Major in Criminal Justice
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics) 13
Component Area III (Life and Physical Science)8
Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture)3
Component Area V (Creative Arts)3
Component Area VI (U.S. History)6
Component Area VII (Political Science/Government)6
Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) 23
Component Area IX (Component Area Option) 4
Degree Specific Requirements
ENGL 3330Intro to Technical Writing3
STAT/MATH 3379Statistical Methds in Practice3-4
or PSYC 3402 Psychological Statistics
or SOCI 3345 Social Statistics
Degree Specific Courses 315
Major: Foundation
CRIJ 2361Intro To The Crim Justice Sys 23
CRIJ 2362Criminology 43
CRIJ 2364Fundamentals Of Criminal Law 43
CRIJ 2365Correctional Sys & Practice 53
CRIJ 2367Police Systems & Practices 53
CRIJ 3378Intro To Methods Of Research 63
CRIJ 4385Criminl Justc & Social Divrsty (Senior standing is required) 63
VCST 3350Victimology3
Major: Prescribed Electives
CRIJ Advanced Electives21
Electives: General
General Electives9
General Electives (Advanced)6
Minor: Not Required 7, 8
Total Hours120-121
Degree Specific Courses 315
Select five from the following:
Intercultural Communication
Conflict, Negotiatn & Resolutn
Deceptive Communication
Introduction To Economics
Critical Thinking
Modern Philosophy 6
Texas Government
Social Policy
Introduction To Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Psychology And The Law 6
Introduction to Sociology
Social Inequality
1

MATH 1342 or MATH 1332 is recommended.

2

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

3

See, the Degree Specific Courses list. 

4

May be completed during Fall or Spring semester of Year 1. 

5

May be completed during Fall or Spring semester of Year 2 

6

May be completed during Fall or Spring semester of Year 3.

7

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours will be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours.

8

All minors can be paired with this degree program. 

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework. 

Forty-two semester hours of advanced coursework (3000 or 4000 level) are the absolute minimum. The minimum number of semester hours in residence is 30 semester hours, of which 24 must be advanced.

Use general electives to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.   

First Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IX1Component Area II53
CRIJ 236113Component Area V3
CRIJ 236423CRIJ 236223
ENGL 130133ENGL 130233
HIST 130143HIST 130243
 13 15
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area III4Component Area III4
Component Area IV3Component Area IX3
CRIJ 236563CRIJ 236763
Degree Specific Courses73Degree Specific Courses73
POLS 230583POLS 230683
 16 16
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
CRIJ 337893CRIJ Advanced Electives6
CRIJ Advanced Electives 6Degree Specific Courses76
Degree Specific Courses73VCST 33503
ENGL 33303 
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
COMS 43663Advanced Electives 6
CRIJ 438593CRIJ Advanced Electives 3
CRIJ Advanced Electives 6General Electives6
STAT 3379, MATH 3379, PSYC 3402, or SOCI 33453-4 
 15-16 15
Total Hours: 120-121
Degree Specific Courses 715
Select five from the following:
Intercultural Communication
Conflict, Negotiatn & Resolutn
Deceptive Communication
Introduction To Economics
Critical Thinking
Modern Philosophy 8
Texas Government
Social Policy
Introduction To Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Psychology And The Law 8
Introduction to Sociology
Social Inequality
1

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences).

2

May be completed during Fall or Spring semester of Year 2.

3

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area I (Communication).

4

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VI (U.S. History).

5

MATH 1342 or MATH 1332 is recommended.

6

May be completed during Fall or Spring semester of Year 3.

7

See, the Degree Specific Courses list.

8

Satisfies Core Curriculum requirement for Component Area VII (Political Science/Government. 

9

May be completed during Fall or Spring semester of Year 4.

Notes

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum overall GPA in all coursework. 

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum overall major GPA in all major coursework.

Students must earn a 2.0 minimum SHSU GPA in all coursework.

Students must meet a 2.0 minimum SHSU major GPA in all major coursework. 

Forty-two semester hours of advanced coursework (3000 or 4000 level) are the absolute minimum. The minimum number of semester hours in residence is 30 semester hours, of which 24 must be advanced.

Use general electives to satisfy the 42 advanced hour requirement.

A minor is not required for this degree program; however, a student has the option to add a minor, but to do so additional semester credits hours may be needed above the degree program’s stated total semester credit hours. 

All minors can be paired with this degree program. 

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The BS in Criminal Justice is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Critical thinking.
  • Written and oral communication.
  • Analytical  research.
  • Proactive and action oriented.