School of Criminal Justice
At the Vanguard of Social Justice Today
In the heart of Newark, the School of Criminal Justice at Rutgers University–Newark brings together a diverse set of students, faculty, and staff dedicated to social justice, community engagement, and public policy.
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Using Data to Prevent Crime
In the past 10 years, violent crime has been on the rise across U.S cities, and without intervention it will only continue to grow. To tackle this issue the Rutgers School of Criminal Justice developed risk terrain modeling to address areas of high crime without the need for over policing.
The Rutgers-led Newark Public Safety Collaborative engages over 40 community organizations, providing real-world data and insights that empower them to make meaningful actions to reduce crimes. With national and international recognition, Rutgers has pioneered a unique approach to reimagining crime prevention.
Be the Change You Want to See
Students come to learn at the School of Criminal Justice to gain an understanding of the causes and contexts of crime, and the interrelated challenges faced and caused by criminal justice systems. Through a rich, multidisciplinary framework, students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels will gain a wealth of relevant knowledge that can be applied in a professional setting to effect change.
Program Spotlight: Justice Studies (BA)
There is a high demand for professionals who can respond effectively to issues of justice and inequity. The Bachelor of Arts in Justice Studies program provides students with a challenging and exciting course of study that will help them become the best in their fields.
Program graduates will have a deep understanding about
- How justice systems operate
- How justice resources are distributed across different social, racial, and economic groups (and to what effect)
- How inequities in these distributions lead to broad problems of human rights and human dignity
Newark Named Model Community by Obama Foundation
Newark, New Jersey was named one of four My Brother's Keeper Model Communities, a new initiative that seeks to expand the implementation of evidence-based practices and impact for communities across the country.
A recent video produced by the Obama Foundation shows Rutgers’ own Newark Public Safety Collaborative’s (NPSC) contribution to the initiative. The video highlights School of Criminal Justice faculty member and NPSC Director Alex Gimenez-Santana discussing the auto theft crime reduction program involving Newark youth.
Program Spotlight: Master of Arts in Criminal Justice
The Master of Arts in Criminal Justice program prepares students for positions of leadership and responsibility in government organizations, non-profits, and academic careers. Students will become effective agents of change in their communities through coursework and hands-on experiences.
Classes include contemporary crime, justice, and law enforcement policies and practices, as well as our state-of-the-art training in social science research and methodology.
Student Perspective
"Being a New Jersey resident, I knew about Rutgers since my adolescence. It was a dream school that once seemed an unrealistic target but that all changed when I received my acceptance letter. My hopes are to graduate in May of 2024 with my bachelor’s degree and pursue a career in the federal government. The opportunities at Rutgers are limitless and I hope to be the voice of those who feel as if their goals are out of reach."
Emily Molina, School of Criminal Justice Undergraduate
Discover the School of Criminal Justice
The School of Criminal Justice attracts many of the brightest aspiring criminal justice students from right here in Newark and across the world. The school directly contributes to national and international questions about justice through its teaching, scholarship, and public service.
