Today@Sam Article

Heritage Magazine: Unlocking Success – The College of Criminal Justice

Feb. 6, 2025
SHSU Media Contact: Mikah Boyd

By Kim Foster

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. The college also holds the distinction of having the highest student enrollment at SHSU. So, what’s the key to their outstanding success?

“Our academic programs are grounded in solid research. We have some of the most research-productive faculty in the country,” SHSU CJ Dean Phillip Lyons said. “We also have a large international footprint for a regional comprehensive university.”

U.S. News and World Report has consistently ranked the college’s online master’s in criminal justice, as well as its program for veterans, in the top ten programs among universities in the nation. The rankings are based on data from participating institutions, evaluating each program in five areas: engagement, faculty credentials, peer assessment, services and technology and student excellence.

When deciding on a university in pursuit of a master’s degree in criminal justice leadership, SHSU CJ graduate student Benjamin Smith factored top rankings into his decision.

“I conducted a lot of research before deciding to apply to SHSU,” Smith said. “Many things attracted me: it was ranked the No. 2 online Master of Criminal Justice program at the time, while maintaining a low tuition rate. SHSU CJ had great rankings for veteran satisfaction. Every metric seemed impressive. I also learned about the Beto lecture series and publications from the CJ program and thought this could be not only a good academic program, but also a good lifetime resource.”

For Kirsty Douglas, the college’s dedication to the many facets of the criminal justice field attracted her in pursuit of a Master of Science in Victim Services Management degree. She believes the flexibility of the program makes it attractive to working professionals.

“Most graduate students work full time and are trying to advance their education,” Douglas said. “Something my professors have done well is taking in consideration the difficulty and stress of working in the victim service field. They work with the students to meet deadlines along with understanding the assignments.”

Launched in 2019, the Department of Victim Studies is the first and only academic department of its kind in the U.S. and the only institution that offers an undergraduate major and master’s degree in the field.

In addition to its prestigious rankings, the College of Criminal Justice is the largest at SHSU, with approximately 3,300 undergraduate, master’s and doctoral students enrolled in the Fall 2024 semester. 

Looking to the future, SHSU CJ is working to expand its Premium Distance Learning program to better meet the needs of online students. Offered in five-week terms, they provide students the option to take multiple courses in a shorter period of time. No textbooks are required. 

“Courses are organized in a way to maximize their timeliness, relevance and accessibility to working professionals in the field,” Lyons said. 

SHSU CJ leadership also credits the eight institutes housed under the college’s umbrella as a major part of its success. The unique partnerships forged through these institutes provide direct links to criminal justice agencies and organizations. 

“I’m not aware of any other program that has the connections in the field that we do,” Lyons said. “Much of that has to do with our professional development institutes that are firmly embedded in the field. Our Bill Blackwood Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas (LEMIT) is a great example. Every police chief in Texas must go through a week of training every two years at LEMIT.”

Connections in the workforce go beyond the institutions. Academic Community Engagement (ACE) courses, along with robust internship partnerships, strengthen the college’s ties with the broader criminal justice community.

“It’s a significant need we fill by providing students with these experiences that round out their perspective and understanding,” Lyons said. “We know from employers this matters in their decision to hire our students. They see the advantage to hiring SHSU graduates, because of our reputation and the real-world experience our students gain. This makes our graduates more competitive, increases their chances of being hired and their success going forward in the workforce.”

To read the full version of Heritage Magazine - Fall 2024, follow this link.

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