Department of Criminal Justice and Social Work

Barbara Belbot, J.D., Ph.D., Chair
C340, 713-221- 8983

Ashley Blackburn, Ph.D., Assistant Chair
C340, 713-222-5326

Criminal Justice Faculty

Professors:	Belbot, Snell, Wang, Wernet
Associate Professors:	Ahmad, Blackburn, Buckler, Fowler, Pelz,
Assistant Professors:	Brusman-Lovins, Gehring, Harris, Cavanaugh, Karson, Pfeffer, Valcore
Lecturers:	Hill, Karas

Social Work Faculty

Professors:	Wernet
Associate Professors:	McCarty
Assistant Professors:	Goltz
Lecturers:	Smith, Goins

Mission and Objectives

The mission of the Department is to prepare students for public service careers in the fields of criminal justice and social work. In furtherance of this mission, the faculty recognize the connection between excellence in education, research, scholarship, and service with applied, theoretical, and policy relevance. Thus the Department strives to provide students with knowledge, skills and values that are sufficient to serve in social service and criminal justice systems, prepare them for professional and managerial careers as well as research and advanced study.

Honor Society

Alpha Phi Sigma - National Criminal Justice Honor Society
Phi Alpha-Tau Delta Chapter - Honor Society for Social Work

Student Organizations

Social Work Student and Community Advocacy Network (SWSCAN)
Professional Society of Criminal Justice Students

Criminal Justice Training Center

Rex White, Director, 713-221-8690

James Healy MS, Associate Director 713-221-8690

The mission of the Training Center is to provide the best possible training to qualified applicants for the Texas Peace Officer License Exam and to provide advanced law enforcement training to current Texas peace officers in compliance with TCOLE regulations. The Training Center Academy is licensed by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE) and the academy trains not only the Basic Peace Officer Course but also advanced law enforcement topics that are needed by Licensed Peace Officers for ‘Continuing Education Points’ to maintain their license. The citizens of Texas deserve the best trained peace officers with the highest standards of ethics and professionalism to protect their communities. Each academy class at the Training Center must complete a Community Service project prior to graduation. Service to others is at the heart of our program. Cadets and Staff of the Training Center donate thousands of hours annually to activities that improve our community and the criminal justice profession.

Law Enforcement Training Program

Entry-level training for prospective police officers is provided by the Center’s Police Academy. The academy is certified by the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. (TCOLE) and is approved for veterans’ benefits through the Texas Education Agency. Approximately 40-50 specialized and advanced courses are offered annually for police officers and other public sector practitioners. Basic and advanced management training courses range from one to 14 weeks in length.

Specialized Certification Courses and Seminars

Specialized training and certification opportunities are provided through unique seminars and courses.

Certification courses are available in such diverse areas as emergency medical care and technician training, and management.

UH-Downtown Criminal Justice Training Center Credit

Students who complete the UHD Texas Commission on Law Enforcement. (TCOLE) Basic Peace Officer’s Academy and pass the licensing exam can apply for advanced placement for CJ 2301 (Police Systems) and CJ 2302 (Criminal Courts) by paying an administrative fee of $15. Students must be enrolled at UHD in order to receive credit and may not receive credit for classes in which they are currently enrolled or for which they have already received credit. No other Criminal Justice classes may be substituted. No grade is awarded for credit obtained in this manner. No other academy credit will be accepted.

Programs of Study in the Department of Criminal Justice and Social Work

Programs

Major

Minor