John Jay College of Criminal Justice was born in the mid-1950s. The catalyst for the school came from growing concerns on the part of civic leaders and the New York City Police Department over increased complexity of police work in the administration and operation of the department, and the ongoing relations between police and the community.
In response, a Police Science Program was established in 1954 at the then Baruch School of Business and Public Administration of City College. This program emphasized a strong liberal arts curriculum as the basis of a sound police education. Over the next decade, the program grew substantially, attracting large numbers of students.
In 1964, a committee convened by the Board of Higher Education recommended the establishment of an independent, degree-granting school of police science. The College of Police Science (COPS) of the City University of New York was subsequently founded and admitted its first class in September 1965. Within a year, the school was renamed John Jay College of Criminal Justice to reflect broader education objectives in criminal justice, development of leadership and emphasis on professional achievement in public service
The school's namesake, John Jay, was the first Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court and one of the founding fathers of the United States. Jay was a native of New York City and served as governor of New York State.
Today, John Jay is one of the nation’s premier criminal justice and liberal arts institutions. The college brings together Pulitzer Prize-winning faculty and undergraduate/graduate students in diverse liberal arts disciplines to engage with issues of justice and diversity.
John Jay College of Criminal Justice is a community of motivated and intellectually committed individuals who explore justice in its many dimensions. The College’s liberal arts curriculum equips students to pursue advanced study and meaningful, rewarding careers in the public, private, and non-profit sectors. Our professional programs introduce students to foundational and newly emerging fields and prepare them for advancement within their chosen professions.
Our students are eager to engage in original research and experiential learning, excited to study in one of the world’s most dynamic cities, and passionate about shaping the future. Through their studies our students prepare for ethical leadership, global citizenship, and engaged service. Our faculty members are exceptional teachers who encourage students to join them in pursuing transformative scholarship and creative activities. Through their research our faculty advances knowledge and informs professional practices that build and sustain just societies.
We foster an inclusive and diverse community drawn from our city, our country, and the world. We are dedicated to educating traditionally underrepresented groups and committed to increasing diversity in the workforce. The breadth of our community motivates us to question our assumptions, to consider multiple perspectives, to think critically, and to develop the humility that comes with global understanding. We educate fierce advocates for justice.
JOHN JAY COLLEGE CONTINUES HIGH-RANKING RECOGNITION IN 2021
(New York, NY) -- Continuing a long trend, John Jay College has again been nationally recognized by a wide variety of major publications for its affordable and top-quality programs and for its success enabling low-income and historically underrepresented students to climb the economic ladder. A number of specific programs, from Criminal Justice to Economics, were also singled out for excellence.
The US News and World Report recognized John Jay in seven different undergraduate and graduate areas; within the Regional Universities North category, John Jay is ranked #9 for Top Public Schools, #5 for Social Mobility and in the Top 20 for both Undergraduate Teaching and Most Innovate Schools. Overall, John Jay is ranked #44 in Regional Universities North,
For graduate programs, US News included Criminology (which includes Criminal Justice programs) as well as Public Affairs in the Best Graduate Schools rankings.
Washington Monthly magazine looked at the value of a John Jay education and ranked the college in the Top Ten Best Bang for the Buck 2021: Northeast. The magazine, which judges colleges based on social mobility, research, and providing opportunities for public service, also ranked John Jay in the Master’s Top 100.
Online publication, Niche, which relies on federal data and millions of reviews to determine its rankings places John Jay on its list as #14 Best Hispanic-Serving Institutions in America, #4, Best Colleges for Criminal Justice, and #9 Top Public Universities in New York.
