Criminal Justice Degree

The criminal justice degree program at Sam Houston State University prepares students for instruction that focuses on the criminal justice system, its organizational components and processes, and its legal and public policy contexts. Students who graduate from the criminal justice degree program will have knowledge in criminal law and policy, police and correctional systems organization, the administration of justice and the judiciary, and public attitudes regarding criminal justice issues. Get more details below including other Texas colleges that offer criminal justice degrees.

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Sam Houston State University

3800 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX

About
Sam Houston State University, located in Huntsville, Texas, was founded 1879. The school is named after Sam Houston, one of the state's founding fathers who made his home in Huntsville and was a student of Austin College, the buildings of which were used by Sam Houston State University after Austin College moved to Sherman, Texas. The school is one of the oldest public institutions west of the Mississippi, and is the third oldest in the state of Texas, and among the first to provide education specifically for teachers. Sam Houston State University has an annual enrollment of over 17,000 students a year and is a member of the Texas State University System which operates post-secondary education institutions throughout the state.


Academics
Sam Houston State University offers nearly 80 undergraduate programs, over 50 masters programs and 5 doctoral programs. Undergraduate programs typically take four years to complete, and provide an education in the major combined with general education courses. Students may also pursue minor degrees which allow for the study of a second field of interest or to augment one's major with a related education. Masters programs require one to have earned a bachelors degree and have separate admissions requirements and application and typically take between one and two years to complete. Doctoral programs will require successful completion of a master's program and will vary in length based on the program.


Majors offered include:

• Accounting
• Economics
• Mass Communication
• Kinesiology
• Criminal Justice

Admissions and Financial Aid
Students interested in enrollment at Sam Houston State University must meet the minimum requirements put forth by the school, including successful completion of a high school program (or equivalent) and the minimum required scores on either the ACT or SAT exams. Students must supply a completed application through the online system and provide transcripts and test scores. Once submitted, the application will be reviewed and a decision rendered regarding admission. Admitted students will be notified and be provided the information necessary to begin their academic career.


Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants, scholarships and work study programs at the federal and state level. Students in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the resulting student aid report (SAR) from which will be used to determine financial need, aid program eligibility, and monetary awards. Students may also apply for external scholarships awarded for a variety of reasons, including merit, cultural, or need. Financial aid must be reapplied for at the start of each academic year and students may be asked to provide additional documentation to ensure the SAR is accurate prior to the disbursement of funds.


Athletics
The Sam Houston State University Bearkats participate in intercollegiate athletics through the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I. Intercollegiate athletics provide students the opportunity to experience healthy competition in a controlled setting, allowing students to learn skills such as teamwork and discipline, and habits such as good health and punctuality. Students are encouraged to participate in such sports as the allow for the camaraderie that comes from the successes and failures that come with a group of individuals pursuing the same goal. Tryout dates, times and forms are available through the school's athletic department.


Athletic Programs:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Bowling
• Cross Country
• Football
• Golf
• Soccer
• Softball
• Tennis
• Track and Field
• Volleyball

In addition a number of intramural sports are available on campus, allowing students to compete against one another either individually or in teams. Intramural sports allow for friendly extracurricular activity and are considered a good way to meet other students on campus. Individuals may form a team or join an existing one, based on the event. An events calendar is available showing when such events take place and the student center provides information on how to participate.

Students Enrolled in the Criminal Justice Program

Get more details below regarding enrollment, academics, and school demographics. Sam Houston State University has offered the following program levels for students:

• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree
• Doctorate Degree

Students by Academic Level (2019)

Students by Gender (2019)

Students by Race (2019)

Source: IPEDS Survey 2012-2020: Data obtained from the US Dept. of Education's Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). Data may vary depending on school and academic year.

Career Options for Graduates

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

Description

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Description

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, first-line supervisors of police and detectives employment is expected to grow at a rate of 4.2% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land, TX
  • Total Employment: 430
  • Average Hourly Rate: $49.73
  • Average Annual Salary: $103440

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).