Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Criminal Justice (Competency-Based Education)
The BAAS in Criminal Justice (Competency-Based Education) is designed for transfer students, working professionals, and military-affiliated students seeking a flexible pathway to degree completion, with credit applied for relevant prior education and training.
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Criminal Justice (Competency-Based Education) | ||
| General Education Requirements (Core Curriculum/Degree Specific Requirements) 1 | ||
| Competency-Based Education (CBE) options available for: | ||
| Component Area I (Communication) | 6 | |
| Composition I | ||
| Composition II | ||
| Tutorial for Integrated Reading and Writing (if required based on TSI status) | ||
| Component Area II (Mathematics) | 3 | |
| College Mathematics | ||
| Support for College Math (if required based on TSI status) | ||
| Component Area III (Life and Physical Science) | 8 | |
| Foundations Of Science | ||
| Weather and Climate | ||
| Component Area IV (Language, Philosophy, and Culture) | 3 | |
| Introduction To Ethnic Studies | ||
| Component Area V (Creative Arts) | 3 | |
| Introduction To The Visual Arts | ||
| Component Area VI (U.S. History) | 6 | |
| U.S. History to 1876 | ||
| U.S. History Since 1876 | ||
| Component Area VII (Political Science/Government) | 6 | |
| American Government | ||
| Texas Government | ||
| Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) | 3 | |
| Introduction To The Criminal Justice System 2 | ||
| Component Area IX (Component Area Option) | 4 | |
| Public Speaking | ||
| Lifetime Health and Wellness | ||
| Major (Applied Credit) 3 | 36 | |
| Required Courses | ||
| CRIJ 2361 | Introduction To The Criminal Justice System 2 | 3 |
| CRIJ 2362 | Criminology 4 | 3 |
| CRIJ 2364 | Fundamentals Of Criminal Law 4 | 3 |
| or CRIJ 2365 | Correctional Systems and Practice | |
| or CRIJ 2367 | Police Systems & Practices | |
| CRIJ 3378 | Introduction To Methods Of Research | 3 |
| VCST 3350 | Victimology | 3 |
| Advanced Electives | ||
| Any CJCB, CRIJ, FORS, SCST, or VCST 3000-4000 level courses 5 | 36 | |
| Minor: Not Required 6 | ||
| Total Hours | 120 | |
- 1
A maximum of 66 semester credit hours from a community or technical college are transferable. Additional hours may be needed to meet the total 120 SCH requirement.
- 2
CRIJ 2361 is included in the required courses and also fulfills Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) of the General Education/Core requirements.
- 3
The BAAS in Criminal Justice grants credit for applied learning through technical, occupational, and/or military education and training.
Technical Pathway
Coursework from an Associate of Applied Science (AAS), Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS), Associate of Applied Business (AAB), or Associate of Specialized Technology (AST) will be reviewed and applied toward the BAAS in Criminal Justice.Occupational Pathway
Trainings and certifications from law enforcement, corrections, and other criminal justice related fields will be reviewed and applied toward the BAAS in Criminal Justice.Law Enforcement Trainings and Certifications
Students who have earned a Texas Basic Peace Officer Certificate (BPOC) from a TCOLE approved peace officer academy will be given 24 hours of applied credit. Texas Peace Officers who have achieved additional levels of certification beyond the BPOC will also be awarded academic credit:- Basic Proficiency Certificate = 24 SCH applied credit
- Intermediate Proficiency Certificate = 28 SCH applied credit
- Advanced Proficiency Certificate = 32 SCH applied credit
- Master Proficiency Certificate = 36 SCH applied credit
Additional law enforcement training and certification completion from other state or national programs will be reviewed and applied toward the BAAS in Criminal Justice.
Corrections Trainings and Certifications and Other Professional Development
Professional development, continuing education units (CEUs), and other criminal justice related trainings will be reviewed and applied toward the BAAS in Criminal Justice. Students may submit a portfolio reflecting completed training based on verified CEUs and documented professional education and training.Military Training Pathway
Military training documented on the Joint Services Transcript (JST) will be reviewed and applied toward the BAAS in Criminal Justice.Admissions and Graduation Requirement
Students entering the BAAS in Criminal Justice are not required to have completed thirty-six (36) semester credit hours of applied credit at the time of admission. Applied credit may be earned progressively; however, completion of thirty-six (36) semester credit hours of approved applied credit is required for graduation.- 4
The 120 SCH total includes CRIJ 2362 and one of the following courses -- CRIJ 2364, CRIJ 2365, or CRIJ 2367 -- within the required coursework. If a student does not have prior credit for CRIJ 2362 and one of CRIJ 2364 or CRIJ 2365 or CRIJ 2367, then the total required hours increase by 6 SCH (to 126 SCH). If a student also does not have prior credit for CRIJ 2361, the total required hours increase by an additional 3 SCH (to 129 SCH).
- 5
Not all eligible elective courses are currently offered in the CBE format. Students in the CBE pathway should consult their academic advisor to identify elective courses currently available in the CBE format.
- 6
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 credit hours may be needed above the degree program's stated total semester credit hours.
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.
Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.
| First Year | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Core Curriculum and/or Major (Applied Credit)1 | 15 | Core Curriculum and/or Major (Applied Credit)1 | 15 |
| 15 | 15 | ||
| Second Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Core Curriculum and/or Major (Applied Credit)1 | 18 | Core Curriculum and/or Major (Applied Credit)1 | 18 |
| 18 | 18 | ||
| Third Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Advanced Electives2, 3 | 3 | Advanced Electives2, 3 | 15 |
| CRIJ 23614 | 3 | General Education (as needed) | 3 |
| CRIJ 23625 | 3 | ||
| CRIJ 2364, 2365, or 23675 | 3 | ||
| VCST 3350 | 3 | ||
| 15 | 18 | ||
| Fourth Year | |||
| Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours |
| Advanced Electives2, 3 | 9 | Advanced Electives (or credit from CJCB 4083)2, 3 | 9 |
| CRIJ 3378 | 3 | ||
| 12 | 9 | ||
| Total Hours: 120 | |||
- 1
A maximum of 66 semester credit hours from a community or technical college are transferable. Additional hours may be needed to meet the total 120 SCH requirement.
- 2
Any CJCB, CRIJ, FORS, SCST, or VCST 3000-4000 level courses.
- 3
Not all eligible elective courses are currently offered in the CBE format. Students in the CBE pathway should consult their academic advisor to identify elective courses currently available in the CBE format.
- 4
CRIJ 2361 is included in the required courses and also fulfills Component Area VIII (Social and Behavioral Sciences) of the General Education Core requirements.
- 5
The 120 SCH total includes CRIJ 2362 and one of the following courses -- CRIJ 2364, CRIJ 2365, or CRIJ 2367 -- within the required coursework. If a student does not have prior credit for CRIJ 2362 and one of CRIJ 2364 or CRIJ 2365 or CRIJ 2367, then the total required hours increase by 6 SCH (to 126 SCH). If a student also does not have prior credit for CRIJ 2361, the total required hours increase by an additional 3 SCH (to 129 SCH).
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 met 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 credit hours may be needed above the degree program's stated total semester credit hours.
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 Bachelor of Applied Arts and Sciences in Criminal Justice (Competency-Based Education) is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:
- Critical thinking.
- Clear written and oral communication.
- Analytical skills to accomplish goal-oriented tasks.
- Proactive problem solving.
