Criminology and Criminal Justice Program
Program Overview/Mission
The mission of the Criminology and Criminal Justice program at the University of Houston-Clear
Lake is to produce ethical, effective practitioners and leaders who are prepared to
address salient issues and challenges related to crime and criminal justice in our
communities, as well as to ensure that equity and fairness are upheld in all aspects
and junctures of criminal justice processes and policies.
To achieve our objectives, the program in Criminology and Criminal Justice offers
students a solid, interdisciplinary academic grounded in both theoretical and empirical
knowledge of why crime and victimization occur, and how the criminal justice system
responds to crime. Furthermore, students have opportunities to study in specialized
areas of criminology and criminal justice by taking courses ranging from crime prevention,
gender and crime, juvenile justice, race and justice, terrorism and homeland security,
serial murder, social justice, victimology, youth, law and society, and wrongful convictions.
Along with developing knowledge and skills, the Criminology and Criminal Justice program
affords opportunities to students to apply their academic learning to obtain entry-level
employment, advance their current careers, and/or pursue further education.
Program Degrees
Undergraduate Degree (Bachelor of Science)
When you major in criminology and criminal justice at UH-Clear Lake, you will complete 60 hours of undergraduate coursework with 15 hours in criminology overview courses. Courses are offered on the UHCL campus and University of Houston-Clear Lake at Pearland, with the option to take courses at both locations within the same semester. Some courses are also available completely online.
Graduate Degree (Master of Arts)
When you pursue a graduate degree in criminology and criminal justice, you have the flexibility to plan your course of study to fit your interests. You can choose one of four options: a Thesis Option (36 hours), an Internship Option (33 hours), or a Coursework Option (33 hours). Within each option, you select courses to help you reach your goal.
Admission Requirements
- How to Apply as a Freshman Student
- How to Apply as a Transfer Student
- How to Apply as an International Student
Program Faculty
Kimberly Dodson
Professor, Criminology Program Director,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3492
Email: dodsonk@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 2617.02
Hae Rim (Helen) Jin
Assistant Professor of Criminology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3459
Email: jin@uhcl.edu
Office: Arbor Central 1307.19
Henda Hsu
Program Director of Criminology and Criminal Justice and Associate Professor of Criminology
and Criminal Justice,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3475
Email: hsuh@uhcl.edu
Office: Arbor Central 1307.10
Everette B. Penn
Professor of Criminology,
Human Sciences and Humanities
Contact number: 281-283-3383
Email: PennEv@uhcl.edu
Office: Bayou 1508.21
Additional Information
For more information, contact:
Dr. Henda Y. Hsu, Associate Professor
Program Director of Criminology and Criminal Justice
281-283-3475
hsuh@uhcl.edu
or
Human Sciences and Humanities
Academic Advising Office
hshadvising@uhcl.edu
281-283-3333
University of Houston-Clear Lake
2700 Bay Area Blvd
Houston, TX 77058-1098