Justice Studies

Delve into the global dimensions of justice through the International Justice concentration, examining criminal justice, social justice and legal issues that span national borders. This program covers transnational and global topics, including human rights, terrorism, cybercrime, immigration, genocide, war, human trafficking and more. Students gain critical knowledge of cross-border policy, advocacy and law that prepare them for careers in international law enforcement, human rights organizations, government, defense or national security. Offered exclusively as a four-year undergraduate program in New Jersey, this concentration empowers students to address some of the most pressing issues facing the world today.

The Criminal Justice concentration focuses on relationships among law, the justice system and society. You’ll explore theories of crime, law enforcement, comparative justice systems and the administration of justice. It prepares students to work in criminal justice, security, agencies administering justice, social services and related settings.

Explore the complexities of the judiciary, legislative and correctional systems with the Criminal Justice minor. Study topics such as police brutality, the death penalty and broader issues like race, gender and social class as they intersect with justice. The curriculum is designed to provide students with essential theoretical knowledge and introductory research methods. By developing analytical and practical skills, you will be prepared for entry-level opportunities in criminal justice agencies as well as for graduate studies in related fields. This minor offers a strong base for those seeking to understand and engage with current and pressing challenges in criminal justice. 

Please note: Students in the Criminal Justice concentration are not eligible to also complete the Criminal Justice minor, but may choose either the Justice and Families or Social Justice minors as an optional complement to their studies 

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Are you passionate about making a difference in the lives of others? The Justice and Families minor is an opportunity for students who want to explore how families are shaped by – and respond to – justice issues in today’s world. This program looks at the challenges families face within social, political and economic systems and how communities can better support them.

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Unleash your passion for equity and advocacy with the Social Justice: Gender, Race, and Queerness (GRQ) minor. Housed in the Justice Studies Department, in partnership with the Gender, Sexuality, and Women’s Studies Program, this minor empowers students to explore the critical issues shaping our world. Through a focused blend of three core classes and three electives, you’ll learn and think critically about the ways in which structural inequalities and injustices based on gender, race and queerness exist, both historically and today, in the world of the criminal legal system and from a social justice perspective. Prepare for careers in advocacy, social services and community organizations, equipping you to challenge injustice and promote equity for all.

See the curriculum.