CJCJ is proud to partner with San Francisco State University (SFSU) in preparing the next generation of juvenile justice leaders. Working collaboratively with SFSU’s Department of Criminal Justice Studies, CJCJ helped develop the California State University system’s first-ever Minor in Juvenile Justice. This is a groundbreaking academic program that strengthens pathways into youth justice reform, policy work, and community advocacy.
SFSU’s Criminal Justice Studies Department is widely recognized as one of the most dynamic and innovative programs in the country, shaped by the forward-thinking leadership of former director Elizabeth Brown, PhD, and guided today by current director Carina Gallo, PhD. Their dedication to rigorous, justice-centered education aligns naturally with CJCJ’s mission and has made this collaboration especially meaningful.
The Juvenile Justice Minor: A Transformative Academic Pathway
The Minor in Juvenile Justice offers students a deep, interdisciplinary exploration of youth justice systems through historical, legal, and policy-based perspectives. The curriculum prepares students to analyze and address the complex factors shaping youth involvement in the justice system, with emphasis on:
- Foundational study of juvenile law, history, and policy development
- Critical examination of youth incarceration and reform movements
- Evidence-informed community-based alternatives and intervention strategies
- Analysis of racial, socioeconomic, and structural inequities
- Opportunities for applied research, policy analysis, and community-engaged learning.
As the first minor of its kind in the CSU system, it reflects a growing commitment to cultivating knowledgeable, reform-oriented leaders in youth justice.
CJCJ’s Role in Shaping the Program
CJCJ played a central role in the creation of the Juvenile Justice Minor. Beyond the leadership of Executive Director Daniel Macallair, CJCJ’s policy team contributed critical research, policy expertise, and curriculum guidance. This ensures the program reflects current system challenges, reform opportunities, and best practices in youth justice.
Dan Macallair is a longtime SFSU faculty member and helped design the minor. He continues to teach several of its core and specialized courses as a Practitioner-in-Residence, including:
- Juvenile Justice
- Intervention Policies in Juvenile Justice
- Contemporary Issues in Juvenile Justice
- The California Corrections System
- Community Corrections and Sentencing
Through these courses, Dan Macallair brings contemporary policy debates, historical context, and applied field experience into the classroom. Combined with insights from CJCJ’s policy team, this partnership ensures students are grounded in both rigorous academic inquiry and the realities of modern reform.