College of Criminal Justice

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Welcome to the College of Criminal Justice

Join one of the largest and most prestigious criminal justice programs in the country.

The College of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University is one of the top programs in the country for the study of criminal justice and criminology, forensic science, and security studies and continues to set the national standard for these disciplines in higher education. Since 1963, the college has been at the forefront of academic research and professional leadership development.

Learn from our faculty, a worldwide collection of the most respected criminal justice experts in the study of criminal justice, who bring modern technological methods and advanced applications into the classroom.

  • Choose from a large criminal justice course selection, including online courses
  • Study at research Institutes in Law Enforcement, Corrections, Victims, and Legal Studies
  • Join active Honor societies and Student Associations
  • Access to world renowned law enforcement and correctional training institutes
  • Apply for several criminal justice scholarships and graduate student assistantships

Grow personally and professionally by pursuing an exciting career with a criminal justice, forensic science, or homeland security studies degree. Embrace all of the resources the College of Criminal Justice has to offer through our undergraduate degrees, masters degrees, and Ph.D. programs. Apply today and choose one of our degree programs that open a world of opportunity.

SHSU College of Criminal Justice Professor Concludes Term as President of International Organization

Bitna Kim, a professor at the Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice (SHSU CJ) and director of SHSU CJ’s International Initiatives, recently saw her term as president of the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) come to a close.

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SHSU CJ Department Of Forensic Science Professor Receives Prestigious Appointment

Jorn (Chi-Chung) Yu, a forensic science professor in the Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice (SHSU CJ), has been appointed to the Houston Forensic Science Center’s (HFSC) board of directors by Houston Mayor John Whitmire.

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Heritage Magazine: Unlocking Success – The College of Criminal Justice

For years, the Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice (SHSU CJ) has been a fixture in national and international rankings, including one of the most recognizable: U.S. News and World Report.

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SHSU CJ Department of Forensic Science Awarded Three NIJ Research Grants

The National Institute of Justice (NIJ) has awarded grants to three faculty members of the Sam Houston State University College of Criminal Justice Department of Forensic Science, totaling $1,261,437 in research funding for Fiscal Year 2024.

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Commencement Spotlight: Cesar Cantu

Cesar Cantu always knew a career in forensic science was the journey he was destined to make. It was a conversation with his high school criminal justice teacher that inspired him to take the path that led to Sam Houston State University’s College of Criminal Justice.

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