Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice
Connecting Communities, Transforming Justice
Whether you’re passionate about understanding social phenomena or driven to pursue justice and public safety, you’ll find a supportive community of scholars, educators and peers ready to guide you on your career path.
As a student of sociology and criminal justice, you can expect to develop a sociological insight as you become familiar with theoretical analysis of the social world. You will learn to better understand the structures and patterns upon which everyday life rests, to understand the interplay between individual choices and social constraint, to interpret events from multiple perspectives, and to examine social arrangements critically. You will learn how to make a difference in the lives of others!
Explore Our Programs
Applied Criminology (MS)
The entirely online Master of Science in Applied Criminology degree meets the needs of traditional students preparing to embark on new careers, as well as those currently working in the criminal justice field and those wishing to pursue professional advancement..
Criminal Justice (BACJ/BSCJ)
The broad field major in criminal justice is designed for students who wish to receive the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The curriculum has a multi-disciplinary foundation, is social science oriented, is academic in content and emphasizes the development of knowledge and skills essential for a broad understanding of the criminal justice system. The objective of the major is to prepare you for entry-level positions in law enforcement, juvenile justice, courts, community-based corrections, institutional corrections and other related fields.
Criminal Justice Management Graduate Certificate
This certificate is designed to attract student practitioners seeking to advance within the decision-making and leadership roles within their field. The courses in this plan focus on management and policy issues. This certificate is ideal for you if you wish to specialize in management issues, such as evaluating, planning, organizing, staffing, directing, coordinating, reporting and budgeting.
Criminal Justice Studies Graduate Certificate
If you are seeking to gain general knowledge in the field, whether you are new to concepts in criminal justice or are currently working in the criminal justice field, this might be the best fit for you. The flexibility of this certificate allows for a great deal of latitude in customizing courses to suit individual professional interests.
Homeland Security Graduate Certificate
This certificate is designed to attract members outside traditional criminal justice fields. Through this program, you will gain a broad understanding of homeland security issues while enhancing leadership capabilities among those who currently work in local, state and federal government and others who are interested in gaining greater knowledge about the field of homeland security. This certificate focuses on homeland security concepts, applicable management principles, policy analysis and the enhancement of critical thinking skills necessary to successfully address security challenges within the United States.
Sociology (BA/BS)
Explore the complexities of human behavior, social structures, and the dynamics that shape our world. With a blend of theoretical frameworks, empirical research, and critical analysis, delve into topics ranging from inequality and social justice to culture and globalization.
Sociology (MS)
The Master’s in Sociology at A&M-Commerce is designed to meet the needs of those pursuing public service careers, community college teaching opportunities, careers in research, administrative careers in both the public and private sectors, as well as preparing students for more advanced graduate work in sociology.
Welcome from the Department Head
Sociology as a social science is often misunderstood, but once students take the first course—Introduction to Sociology—they realize that there is much to be investigated and explored by how society operates, functions and exists. Those who become majors are fascinated by the number of existing courses that explore human behavior in its many dimensions. Our faculty is prepared to engage students in courses related to: social problems, sociology of gender, sociology of internet, and gender and work.
Criminal Justice is a highly popular discipline and a challenging subject area filled with interesting courses such as Crime and Mass Media, Serial Murderers, Victimology and Crime Mapping. The faculty within the department are experts in many of these topics, so classes are exciting, engaging and rigorous. Students are exposed to as much of real life in the criminal justice field as possible.
We welcome the opportunity to explore degree options with you.
Graduate Assistantships
Help pay for your education while earning valuable experience in the field. A limited number of Graduate Assistantships are available on a competitive basis in the department.
News Spotlights
Pair of TAMUC Alumni Named to Quinlan ISD Hall of Fame
The Quinlan Independent School District in Quinlan, Texas recently announced their 2024 Hall of Fame inductees, which include a pair of Texas A&M University-Commerce alumni.
TAMUC Alum Appointed by Governor Abbott to State Council
An alum of Texas A&M University-Commerce was recently appointed by Texas Governor Greg Abbott to the Crime Victims' Institute Advisory Council.
TAMUC Alum Coaches NJCAA Team to Top-4 National Finish
A Texas A&M University-Commerce alum nearly coached her team to a junior college women’s basketball national championship this season. Latasha Keith, head coach at Dallas College Cedar Valley, led the Suns to a fourth-place finish in the National Junior College Athletic Association Division III Tournament. Keith’s squad went 19-7 this season, which included a perfect […]
A&M-Commerce Stands Out in National Rankings by U.S. News & World Report
U.S. News & World Report just released its highly anticipated university rankings for 2023, and Texas A&M University-Commerce earned top-100 recognition in five coveted categories. Every year, U.S. News compares regionally accredited institutions across the U.S. to highlight the nation’s best academic programs. The rankings are intended to help prospective students and their families compare […]
One Big Lion Family: Four Relatives Attend TAMUC at the Same Time
Texas A&M University-Commerce prides itself on creating an atmosphere where Lions feel like family. Currently, a quartet of university students share the Lion family dynamic more literally than most. Husband Jacob Cuevas, wife Hermila Cuevas, daughter Angelica Cuevas and niece Angelina Boykins are all A&M-Commerce students at the same time and at different stages in […]
ETSU Alum Named Newest Las Vegas Fire Chief
A graduate of East Texas State University (now Texas A&M University-Commerce) was recently hired by the Las Vegas, Nevada City Council as the city’s newest fire department chief. Alum Fernando Gray, Sr. is a career firefighter, beginning his time in the profession with the Dallas Fire Department, where he worked for 21 years and rose […]
A&M-Commerce Student Demetrius Harrell Jr. Appointed as Texas A&M University System Student Regent
By the Texas A&M University System BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas — Texas Governor Greg Abbott has appointed Marine veteran Demetrius L. Harrell Jr. as student regent for The Texas A&M University System. Harrell, who is pursuing a degree in Criminal Justice with a double minor in Sociology and Legal Studies from Texas A&M University-Commerce, will serve […]
A&M-Commerce Personnel, Alumni Honored by Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education
The Texas A&M University-Commerce chapter of the Texas Association of Black Personnel in Higher Education (TABPHE) honored several of the university’s personnel and alumni at an awards ceremony on April 30 in the Rayburn Student Center on campus. Awards and awardees included: TABPHE is a statewide, voluntary, educational association that represents all levels of higher […]
A&M-Commerce Alumna Wins Athletics Coaching Honor
Texas A&M University-Commerce alumna Latasha Roach was recently named the Dallas Athletic Conference Coach of the Year for women’s basketball. Roach currently coaches for the Cedar Valley Suns, who represent the Dallas College Cedar Valley campus located in Lancaster, Texas. The Suns finished the season with a 9-8 overall record, but a perfect 5-0 mark […]
Governor Reappoints A&M-Commerce Alum to State Crime Victims Council
Governor Greg Abbott recently reappointed A&M-Commerce alum Jeffrey “JD” Robertson to serve on the Texas Crime Victims’ Institute Advisory Council for a term ending January 31, 2024. The council analyzes the impact of crime on victims and close relatives, and the impact on society. Robertson earned his Master of Science in Applied Criminology from A&M-Commerce. […]
Meet our Department
Contact Us
- Department Sociology and Criminal Justice
- 903.886.5332
- 903.886.5330
- P.O. Box 3011
- Commerce, TX 75429-3011