Minority Student Program Today

The Minority Student Program at Rutgers Law School began shortly after the 1967 uprisings that shook a number of American cities, including Newark. Recognizing the need for a meaningful response to the immense social and legal challenges of our nation and Newark in particular, the MSP was established and welcomed its first class of 23 black students in the fall of 1968. Since then, the MSP has been instrumental in advancing our commitment to provide access to legal education to those historically under-represented in the legal profession, namely, people who have faced racial and ethnic discrimination, socioeconomic challenges, educational disadvantages, and lack of resources.

This nationally-acclaimed and highly successful post-admissions program was expanded in 2016 to our Camden location and includes more than 200 students preparing to join more than 2,500 MSP distinguished alumni in the workplace.

• Meet Latiqua Liles, one of our outstanding 2018 graduates
• Meet Melanie Morales, one of our outstanding 2018 graduates

Among those attending the 50th anniversary celebration were some of the program’s most notable graduates – U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, Wade Henderson, the former president and CEO of The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, N.J. State Senator Nia Gill (D-Essex), N.J. Assemblywoman Annette Quijano (D-Union), current and former Superior Court Appellate Division judges, Assignment judges and trial judges, along with leaders in business, public service, civil rights, government, and private practice.

MSP is a nationally acclaimed and highly successful post-admissions program that serves students of any race or ethnicity who are members of groups that are underrepresented in the legal profession, and who have faced discrimination or overcome social and economic hardships. The program takes a proactive approach to help students to succeed in law school by offering legal skills development, academic support, alumni mentoring and networking, internships and other opportunities.

This program has been a leading force in diversifying both legal education and the legal profession. Originally geared toward students of color, it is now open to any student who can demonstrate a history of socioeconomic or educational disadvantage.