Certificate in Criminal Law and Procedure

Program Overview

The Certificate in Criminal Law and Procedure at Rutgers Law School offers JD students a structured opportunity to specialize in criminal law and gain formal recognition for their focus. This program is designed to expose students to a broad range of issues in criminal law and procedure, provide supervised research experience, and offer practical training through clinics and externships.

Students must complete the basic Evidence course and a minimum of 15 credits in approved upper-level criminal law and procedure-related courses. Required courses include Criminal Procedure: Investigation and Criminal Procedure: Adjudication, along with electives in areas such as juvenile justice, white collar crime, domestic violence, and wrongful convictions. Practical experience is gained through clinics, trial practice, and externships with prosecutors, public defenders, and judges.

Why Choose This Program?

• Specialized Focus: Tailored for students with a strong interest in criminal law and procedure.
• Experiential Learning: Includes hands-on training through clinics and externships.
• Flexible Curriculum: Allows students to pursue sub-specialties within criminal law.
• Academic Recognition: Certificate awarded upon completion, enhancing career credentials

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Criminal Law and Procedure Certificate program are prepared for roles such as:

• Criminal Defense Attorney
• Prosecutor
• Juvenile Justice Advocate
• Legal Analyst in Criminal Justice

Average Salary: Over $90,000 for Criminal Defense Attorneys (Source: Indeed, 2025)