Department of Justice Studies

Fall 2024 Commencement

Congratulations Class of 2024!

Click here for more information on Fall 2024 Commencement!

2025 Hart Vision Equity and Innovation Awards

We are proud to announce that on March 13th, Professor Joseph Di Salvo, both a professor and Alumni of San Jose State, was awarded by the California Charter Schools Association with the 2025 Hart Vision Equity and Innovation Award for elected official of the year. This award celebrates exceptional leadership, policy innovation, and best practices that ensure charter schools receive the oversight, support, and resources needed to thrive. Congratulations!

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COIL: Collaborative Online International Learning.

On February 27, we had our first COIL event: Collaborative Online International Learning. Faculty from Leeds Trinity University in the UK and Linnaeus University in Sweden discussed "Policing in the 21st Century" in Greg Wood's JS 102 class. COIL is the first blended learning session of our new international symposium series, which brought together policing and criminology academics and our Justice Studies students from San José State University, together with Linnaeus University & Leeds Trinity University.

Newman Civic Fellowship Awardee

It is with great pride to announce that Maile Gillis was awarded with this prestigious fellowship. The Newman Civic Fellowship is a prestigious year-long program that recognizes and supports community-committed students dedicated to solving public problems. Congratulations!

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SJSU Student RSCA Competition

Congratulations to Dalia Cruz for wining the 2025 SJSU Student RSCA Competition! The SJSU Student RSCA Competition gives undergraduate and graduate students an opportunity to present original Research, Scholarship, and Creative Activity. Winners of the competition represent SJSU at the 39th Annual California State University (CSU) Student Research Competition, to be held in April at Cal Poly Humboldt, where they will compete and present their research alongside students from the other Cal State universities.

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Department of Justice Studies Scholarship Application has Opened

Applications for the Department of Justice Studies are now open. A description of each scholarship, amount, eligibility, and requirements are in the attached PDF. In 2024 we awarded scholarships to 12 students for more than $26,000. The deadline for applications is February 28th. If you have any questions contact Scholarship Chair Dr. Bryce Westlake (Bryce.Westlake@sjsu.edu).

Link to Scholarships

The life-changing work of the Record Clearance Project was featured on the front page of the Mercury News in December 2024. The story recounts a record clearance hearing in court, an expungement rights presentation in jail, and interviews with current and former students and clients. One former client who volunteers at presentations told the reporter, “It’s awesome to give back, to share my life with somebody and say, ‘Hey expunge it, because there is a pot of gold at the end of this rainbow.’" The Record Clearance Project endeavors to help more people reach that end of the rainbow.

For more information

We're Here to Help

Confused about graduation requirements for your Justice Studies major? Do you know how to enroll in your internship or senior seminar? Unclear about which classes to take next semester? If you answered yes to any of these questions, our Department Major Advisors can help.

Contact An Advisor

Need Assistance? SJSU Cares.

SJSU Cares is here to provide assistance when you need it most. Resources and services are provided for SJSU students facing unexpected financial crises. If you’re having trouble paying for food, housing, or other bills, visit their webpage above, or put in a direct request for assistance below.

Request Assistance