The Minority Student Program (MSP) reflects the School of Law-Newark faculty`s long-standing commitment to diversity of the law school community and to improving diversity in the legal profession. The MSP is available to minority applicants and, regardless of race or ethnic origin, to disadvantaged applicants. This includes black/African Americans, Pacific Islander/Asian Americans, Hispanics, Native Americans, and Alaskan natives, and disadvantaged persons who, regardless of race or ethnic origin, grew up as members of low-income families with a history of poverty, or who can demonstrate that for other reasons they are educationally, culturally, or socioeconomically disadvantaged.

The MSP was established in 1968 when, after the urban riots in 1967, the faculty determined to pursue aggressively a policy of diversity and equal opportunity to ensure a diverse educational environment and to expand access to legal education to those who historically have been underrepresented in the legal profession. Since that time, the law school has become a nationally recognized leader in providing legal education for minority and disadvantaged students. More than 1,900 law school graduates have participated in the MSP, and they remain strongly interested in the law school. MSP alums can be found on the bench, in the U.S. Congress, in private practice, government agencies, major corporations, legislative bodies, public interest organizations, and academic institutions across the country.

The School of Law-Newark believes that it has an obligation to assist all students in the successful completion of law school. For MSP students, there are various professional development programs designed to enhance the law school experience and relationships with alumnae/i.

Admission to the Minority Student Program is separate from and subsequent to admission to the law school. Every applicant is invited to indicate his or her interest in the MSP on the admission application. All matriculated students, regardless of race or ethnic origin, are eligible for consideration for the MSP. Further information about MSP may be obtained by calling the MSP office at 973/353-5644.