Bachelor's in Criminal Justice at Rutgers University-New Brunswick

Programme overview

The BA in Criminal Justice is housed in the Department of Sociology and offers a holistic, multidisciplinary curriculum on crime, criminality and criminalization and on the policies and functions of criminal justice systems.

Faculty: School of Arts and Sciences | Department: Sociology | Intake: Fall (Early Action Nov 1, Regular Decision Dec 1) | Study mode: full-time | Location: New Brunswick, NJ, United States

What you will study

Crime, criminality and criminalization, and the policies and functions of criminal justice systems.

Career pathways

Paths within and beyond the traditional boundaries of criminal justice.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Rutgers-New Brunswick first-year applicants: test-optional (SAT/ACT reviewed as an additional credential). International applicants whose secondary schooling was outside the U.S. in a non-English-primary country need English proficiency: TOEFL iBT 79 (tests through Jan 21, 2026), IELTS 6.5, or Duolingo English Test 115; waivers are case by case. Fall first-year deadlines: Early Action Nov 1, Regular Decision Dec 1.

Requirements published at faculty level.

Domestic applicants: USD 15,381 a year (2026-27). New Jersey resident rate. Tuition only; excludes mandatory fees (student, school, technology fees), health insurance, housing and dining. Academic-year amount shown for Rutgers-New Brunswick full-time undergraduate tuition, which equals two semesters of t Source

International applicants: USD 36,831 a year (2026-27). Non-New Jersey resident rate; students on F-1 and J-1 visas pay this rate. Tuition only; excludes mandatory fees (student, school, technology fees), health insurance, housing and dining. Academic-year amount shown for Rutgers-New Brunswick full-time under Source

Fall (September) entry: first-year Early Action application due November 1, 2026 and Regular Decision due December 1, 2026 for September 2027 entry; Spring (January) entry for 2027 is open to first-year and transfer applicants to the School of Arts and Sciences, with an application due date of October 1, 2026.

New Brunswick, Fall/September 2027: first-year Early Action November 1, 2026 (decision by January 31, 2027); first-year Regular Decision December 1, 2026 (decision by February 28, 2027); all transfer applicants February 1, 2027; candidate reply date May 1, 2027. Applications after the due dates are considered on a rolling, space-available basis. Applicants must apply by December 1 to be considered for honors and merit-based scholarships.

New Brunswick, Spring/January 2027: all first-year and transfer applications due October 1, 2026; online decision December 1, 2026; candidate reply date December 7, 2026.

Applications are submitted through the Rutgers Application or the Common App. SAT and ACT scores are optional for Rutgers-New Brunswick undergraduate applicants (SAT code 2765, ACT code 2592); Rutgers maintains test-optional and test-blind policies through 2027. Application fee is paid online by credit card or by mailed check; fee waivers are accepted from the National School Lunch Program, military or veteran applicants, College Board, NACAC, ACT and EOF.

Apply through the official page: https://admissions.rutgers.edu/apply

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