Bachelor of Science, Major in Victim Studies

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 Victim Studies
Core Curriculum
Component Area I (Communication)6
Component Area II (Mathematics)3
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) 13
Component Area IX (Component Area Option)4
Degree Specific Requirements
MATH 3379Statistical Mthods in Practice3-4
or STAT 3379 Statistical Methds in Practice
or PSYC 3402 Psychological Statistics
Select five of the following:15
Intercultural Communication
Conflict, Negotiatn & Resolutn
Introduction To Economics
Critical Thinking
Modern Philosophy
Social Policy
Introduction To Psychology
Abnormal Psychology
Psychology And The Law
Introduction to Sociology
Social Inequality
Major: Foundation
CRIJ 2361Intro To The Crim Justice Sys 2,33
CRIJ 2362Criminology 23
CRIJ 3378Intro To Methods Of Research 43
VCST 3350Victimology3
VCST 4398Problem Analysis in Victim Studies3
Major: Prescribed Electives27
Select nine of the following:
Fundamentals Of Criminal Law
Substance Use And Abuse
Ungr Intern Criminal Justice
Criminl Justc & Social Divrsty
Victims Rights Politics & Plcy
Aging, Crime and Victimization
Victim Service Delivery
Child Abuse And Neglect
Trauma and Crisis Intervention
Interviewing & Counseling
Family Violence
Violence Against Women
Electives: General
General Electives 18
Minor: Not Required 4,5
Total Hours120-121
1

MATH 1332 or MATH 1314 is recommended. 

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

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.

6

The following minors cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Criminal Justice and Minor in Victim Studies. 

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. 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.

 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 II13Component Area III4
Component Area III4Component Area V3
CRIJ 23612, 33CRIJ 236223
ENGL 130143ENGL 130243
HIST 130153HIST 130253
 16 16
Second Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Component Area IV3Component Area IX3
Component Area IX1Degree Specific Requirement73
CRIJ 337863MATH 3379, STAT 3379, or PSYC 34023-4
Degree Specific Requirement73POLS 230683
POLS 230583VCST 33503
 13 15-16
Third Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Degree Specific Requirement73Degree Specific Requirement73
General Electives6General Electives6
Prescribed Electives93Prescribed Electives93
Prescribed Electives93Prescribed Electives93
 15 15
Fourth Year
FallHoursSpringHours
Degree Specific Requirement73General Electives6
General Electives3Prescribed Elective96
Prescribed Electives93Prescribed Electives93
Prescribed Electives93 
VCST 43983 
 15 15
Total Hours: 120-121
1

MATH 1332 or MATH 1314 is recommended. 

2

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

3

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

4

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

5

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

6

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

7

See, Degree Specific Requirement course list in the table below.

8

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

9

See, Prescribed Electives course list in the table below.

Degree Specific Requirement 7
Select five of the following
COMS 3370Intercultural Communication3
COMS 3371Conflict, Negotiatn & Resolutn3
ECON 2300Introduction To Economics3
PHIL 2303Critical Thinking3
PHIL 3365Modern Philosophy3
POLS 3393Social Policy3
PSYC 1301Introduction To Psychology3
PSYC 3331Abnormal Psychology3
PSYC 3383Psychology And The Law3
SOCI 1301Introduction to Sociology3
SOCI 3324Social Inequality3
Prescribed Electives 9
Select nine of the following
CRIJ 2364Fundamentals Of Criminal Law3
CRIJ 4362Substance Use And Abuse3
CRIJ 4373Ungr Intern Criminal Justice3
POLS 3338Victims Rights Politics & Plcy3
VCST 3341Aging, Crime and Victimization3
VCST 3351Victim Service Delivery3
VCST 4338Child Abuse And Neglect3
VCST 4351Trauma and Crisis Intervention3
VCST 4370Interviewing & Counseling3
VCST 4383Family Violence3
VCST 4390Violence Against Women3

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. 

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. 

The following minors cannot be paired with this degree program: Minor in Criminal Justice and Minor in Victim Studies. 

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.

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 Victim Studies is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

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