Criminal Justice Offerings At Rutgers New Brunswick

Rutgers University in New Brunswick offers a Program in Criminal Justice that provides a rich understanding of crime and criminal justice in the United States and abroad. The interdisciplinary program blends a strong liberal arts educational experience with pre-professional instruction in the field. The curriculum covers theories and practices related to the criminal justice system, crime prevention, and responses to criminal behaviours at the local, national, and international levels. Students are instructed in critical thinking, factual inquiry, and the scientific approach to address challenges in criminal justice. The program prepares graduates for graduate studies or employment in various legal, policy-making, and law enforcement areas. Additionally, Rutgers University-Newark is home to the School of Criminal Justice, which offers Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies and Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degrees.

The School of Criminal Justice at Rutgers University–Newark

History

The School of Criminal Justice was founded almost 50 years ago and has since made significant contributions to criminal justice policy and criminological theory. The school's faculty and graduates are known for their expertise and productivity in the field, with many well-respected scholars among their alumni.

Courses and Curriculum

The School of Criminal Justice offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary program that blends a strong liberal arts educational experience with pre-professional instruction in criminal justice. The curriculum provides a rich understanding of crime and criminal justice in the United States and abroad, covering topics such as criminal law, law enforcement, courts, and corrections.

The major in Criminal Justice is structured into three sections: General Coursework, Thematic Coursework, and Elective Coursework, with a minimum requirement of 36 credits. Students are required to complete courses such as “Introduction to Criminal Justice”, “Criminology”, “Prisons and Prisoners”, and a choice of courses from different thematic areas, including Human Behavior, Deviance, and Crime; Social Control Institutions; and Law and Ethics.

Degrees Offered

The School of Criminal Justice offers a range of degrees, including:

• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies
• Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
• Masters of Arts in Social Work and Criminal Justice (Dual Degree)
• PhD in Criminal Justice

Student Opportunities

The School of Criminal Justice provides students with various opportunities for hands-on learning and real-world experience. The school attracts aspiring criminal justice students from Newark and around the world, and its students directly contribute to national and international discussions on justice through teaching, scholarship, and public service.

One notable initiative is the Rutgers-led Newark Public Safety Collaborative, which engages over 40 community organizations and provides data and insights to empower meaningful actions to reduce crime. This collaborative approach to crime prevention has received national and international recognition, showcasing the school's commitment to making a tangible impact.

Alumni Achievements

Graduates of the School of Criminal Justice have gone on to successful careers in various fields related to criminal justice. Alumni have taken up roles as scholars, federal leaders, police officers, attorneys, probation officers, and more, utilising their education to make a difference in their communities.

Criminal Justice majors at Rutgers

The Program in Criminal Justice at Rutgers University is an interdisciplinary course that combines liberal arts education with pre-professional instruction in criminal justice. The program offers a comprehensive understanding of crime and criminal justice in the United States and abroad.

Course Structure

The major is structured into three sections: General Coursework, Thematic Coursework, and Elective Coursework. To declare a major in Criminal Justice, students must complete an Introduction to Criminal Justice course and earn a grade of "C" or better with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0. The General Coursework section includes an introduction to criminal justice, criminology, prisons and prisoners, and courses on crime and public policy, criminal procedure, or law and politics. The Thematic Coursework section covers human behaviour, deviance, social control institutions, and law and ethics, with courses from departments such as political science, history, sociology, and psychology. The Elective Coursework section includes courses within the Program in Criminal Justice, such as human rights and legal remedies, police organisation and administration, correctional systems, and scientific applications in justice.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the Criminal Justice program at Rutgers are prepared for graduate study or employment in various legal, policy-making, and law enforcement areas. The major provides students with critical thinking, factual inquiry, and scientific approach skills to solve problems related to individual and group behaviour. They also gain an understanding of the legal, political, and policymaking processes that shape criminal justice systems.

Location

The School of Criminal Justice at Rutgers University is located in the heart of Newark. The program brings together a diverse set of students, faculty, and staff dedicated to social justice, community engagement, and public policy.

History

The Program in Criminal Justice was founded in the 1970s as the Administration of Justice major within the School of Social Work. In 1998, it moved to Lucy Stone Hall on the Livingston Campus, where it is still located today. In 2000, the curriculum for the undergraduate major in Criminal Justice was established, offered through the School of Arts and Sciences.

Course options at Rutgers School of Criminal Justice

Rutgers School of Criminal Justice in Newark offers a comprehensive, interdisciplinary program that blends a strong liberal arts educational experience with pre-professional instruction in the field of criminal justice. The program provides students with a rich understanding of crime and criminal justice in the United States and abroad.

The Rutgers School of Criminal Justice offers a range of courses at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. At the undergraduate level, the school offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies. The Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice provides students with a solid foundation in the field, covering topics such as criminology, criminal justice research methods, and the impact of the criminal justice system on different racial and ethnic groups. The Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies, on the other hand, focuses on providing students with a deep understanding of how justice systems operate and how justice resources are distributed across different social, racial, and economic groups.

At the graduate level, the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice offers a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, a Master of Arts in Social Work and Criminal Justice (Dual Degree), and a PhD in Criminal Justice. The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program prepares students for leadership and research roles in criminal justice, with a focus on contemporary crime, justice, and law enforcement policies and practices. The PhD in Criminal Justice is a research-intensive program that allows students to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the field.

In addition to the degree programs, the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice also offers a range of individual courses that provide in-depth exploration of specific topics. These include courses such as "Crime and Public Policy", "Criminal Procedure", "Human Rights and Legal Remedies", and "Crimmigration", which examines the intersection of criminal law and immigration law.

The school also offers a range of hands-on learning opportunities, such as internships, independent study, and an honors research thesis project. These opportunities allow students to gain practical experience and apply their knowledge and skills in real-world settings, preparing them for a variety of careers in criminal justice, law enforcement, and policy-making.

Career options for graduates of Rutgers' Criminal Justice program

Rutgers University's School of Criminal Justice in Newark offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice, a Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies, and a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice. The university also offers a PhD in Criminal Justice and an accelerated Master's Program. The criminal justice program is comprehensive and interdisciplinary, blending a strong liberal arts educational experience with pre-professional instruction in the field of criminal justice. The program provides students with a rich understanding of crime and criminal justice in the United States and abroad.

Graduates of Rutgers' Criminal Justice program are prepared for a variety of careers in law, policy-making, and law enforcement. They are also qualified for graduate study or employment as practitioners in various legal, policy-making, and law enforcement areas.

• Law Enforcement: Criminal Justice graduates can pursue careers in local, state, or federal law enforcement agencies, such as becoming police officers, FBI agents, or corrections officers.
• Courts: With an understanding of criminal law and procedure, graduates can work as paralegals, legal assistants, or court clerks.
• Corrections: Graduates can work in correctional facilities, such as prisons or juvenile detention centers, as probation or parole officers, or in community corrections.
• Government Services: The degree prepares graduates for working in government services, including policy-making roles within criminal justice agencies or as policy analysts.
• Research: With a strong research foundation, graduates can pursue research careers in academia or research centers focused on criminal justice, domestic and international issues, policies, and practices.
• Legal Careers: Criminal Justice graduates can also pursue further education in law school to become attorneys, judges, or legal consultants.
• Social Work: The program also prepares graduates for social work, especially in areas related to criminal justice, such as working with at-risk youth, victim services, or community development.

The history of Rutgers School of Criminal Justice

The Rutgers School of Criminal Justice was founded almost 50 years ago and has since been recognised as one of the leading programs in its field. The school is located in the heart of Newark, New Jersey, and is dedicated to social justice, community engagement, and public policy.

The Program in Criminal Justice was originally founded in the 1970s as the Administration of Justice major within the School of Social Work. In 1998, it relocated to Lucy Stone Hall on Livingston Campus, where it still resides today. Two years later, in 2000, the curriculum for the Program's undergraduate major in Criminal Justice was established. The major is structured into three sections: General Coursework, Thematic Coursework, and Elective Coursework, with a minimum of 36 credits required for completion.

Over the years, the faculty at Rutgers School of Criminal Justice have made significant contributions to criminal justice policy and criminological theory. The school has been recognised for its unique approach to crime prevention, developing risk terrain modelling to address areas of high crime without over-policing. The Rutgers-led Newark Public Safety Collaborative engages over 40 community organisations, providing real-world data and insights to help reduce crime.

The school attracts aspiring criminal justice students from Newark and around the world, contributing to national and international discussions about justice through its teaching, scholarship, and public service. Graduates of the program are well-informed citizens on the topics of crime and justice, and are qualified for graduate study or employment in various legal, policy-making, and law enforcement areas.

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