Message from the Dean

Rutgers School of Criminal Justice was founded almost 40 years ago, and ever since we opened our doors, we have been recognized as being among the leading programs in the field. Over the years, our faculty have made significant contributions to criminal justice policy and criminological theory, and our graduates have taken their places among the most productive and well-respected scholars in the field. Today, studies show that we continue to rank among the top criminal justice programs nationwide, with special regard for our graduate programs.

The School of Criminal Justice offers a superb education at the undergraduate level, as well. With over 400 majors, our undergraduate program is one of the largest and fastest growing programs at the university. Our bachelor of arts (B.A.) degree students study the most pressing problems affecting the quality of justice and the promotion of public safety, and they are exposed to the most current thinking about the field. Opportunities are provided for direct field experience in assignments that range from operational criminal justice work to cutting-edge research projects. Our goal is to prepare every student for the future they seek.

We have just begun the design of a new master's degree program geared toward midcareer professionals and those interested in pursuing a career of criminal justice policy or administration. This new degree is in keeping with our strong commitment to improving the quality of criminal justice in New Jersey through enhancing the knowledge and skills of those who design and implement those policies.

To support this mission of education and scholarship, we have the Don M. Gottfredson Collection, one of largest and most comprehensive collections of crime and justice materials anywhere in the world. Scholars come from all over the globe to study in our library, enhancing their work with access to materials not otherwise available to them.

This, then, is the School of Criminal Justice at Rutgers: award-winning faculty, gifted students, terrific facilities, housed in a great university and a revitalized Newark. Our program offers every opportunity a student needs for a terrific education of engagement with city, state, national, and international agencies on a broad range of crime prevention and criminal justice activities. Come join us.

Todd R. Clear
Dean