Department of Criminal Justice & Criminology
Quality Research, Skilled Students, Community Impact
The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Sam Houston State University values academic excellence, ethical leadership, and community engagement. We are dedicated to equipping students with a strong foundation in liberal arts while fostering critical thinking, communication, and analytical skills essential to the field. Our faculty are committed to high-impact research that addresses real-world challenges and contributes to safer, more just communities. Through dynamic teaching methods and practical learning experiences, we prepare graduates to lead and serve in diverse professional settings. Our goal is to inspire lifelong learning and civic responsibility while advancing knowledge that makes a meaningful difference in society.
The Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology offers undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral programs, plus options for a minor or undergraduate and graduate certificates with flexible completion options.
Ranked among the best online criminal justice graduate programs in the U.S.
The SHSU College of Criminal Justice’s online master’s program and online master’s program for veterans is ranked No. 5 and No. 3 in the nation respectively by U.S. News & World Report in their best Online Rankings for 2026.
CJ Events
CCJ News
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Commencement Spotlight: Angelina Martinez
Future attorney, Angelina Martinez is a woman of many titles, daughter, wife, student, probate paralegal and new mom. On the morning of Dec. 12, she added one more title to her repertoire: Bearkat alumna. While her portfolio is already impressive, Martinez is already working toward becoming a certified paralegal through Sam Houston State University’s Polytechnic College, SamPoly.
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Commencement Spotlight: Ke'Von Paire
This fall, Smith-Hutson Scholar and Homecoming King Ke’Von Paire will graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from Sam Houston State University (SHSU).
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COCJ Students Assemble Care Packages for Victims
On Oct. 28, as part of an Academic Community Engagement (ACE) project, Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice (SHSU-COCJ) students in Jessica Fleming’s victimology course partnered with Project Beloved and SAAFE House to assemble 70 Beloved Bundles for sexual assault survivors.
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816 17th St.
Huntsville, TX, 77340
P.O. Box 2296
Huntsville, TX 77341-2296
Email Address
Phone Number
Advising: 936.294.4444
Graduate: 936.294.1695