Master's · Security & Justice · Huntsville, TX
MA Criminal Justice & Criminology
Sam Houston State University, Huntsville, TX
What a first year actually costs
Tuition is rarely the number that decides anything. This is the whole first year, including the costs that usually surface late.
| TuitionPer year, as published by the university | $12,118 |
|---|---|
| Semester contributionMandatory university fee that is not tuition — often the only fee a tuition-free program charges | $3,339 |
| Living costsAccommodation, food, transport — a working estimate | $11,000 |
| Student visaGovernment fee, one-off | $535 |
| Health insuranceTypically mandatory for international students | $1,800 |
| First year, all in | $28,792 |
Getting in
- English
- IELTS 6.5 overall
- Academic
- See entry requirements below
- Application deadline
- 1 February 2027
- Intake
- Fall 2027
Applying
Deadline: February 1 (no year stated on programme page; fall semester deadline)
Entry requirements: Bachelor's from accredited institution in criminal justice or allied field; GPA 3.0+; GRE OR writing sample (applicant's choice); 3 LORs; personal essay; competitive committee review
After you graduate
Graduates of this program are eligible for 12-mo OPT / 36-mo with STEM extension in USA. Work rights are set by government policy rather than the university, and they change — check the current rules before you rely on them.
Rules in fluxDHS rule ending Duration of Status was blocked by a federal judge on 14 Sep 2026; existing rules stand while litigation continues.
What the headline leaves outSTEM extension requires the programme's CIP code to be on the DHS STEM list AND an employer enrolled in E-Verify. Max 90 days unemployment on initial OPT, 150 across both.
Where these numbers come from
Checked against Sam Houston State University’s own published pages on 1 October 2026.
Is this one realistic for you?
Answer a few questions about your grades, budget and timing, and we will tell you whether this is a likely admit, a genuine match, or an ambitious stretch — alongside everything else that fits.
Check my chances