Prospective
Dr. Goldstein and the Juvenile Justice Research and Reform Lab are not accepting applications for the JD/PhD or PhD for Fall 2025.
They are accepting applications for research assistants and for Drexel co-op students. If you are interested in becoming a Post-doctoral Fellow in the JJR&R Lab, please reach out to both Dr. Goldstein and Dr. NeMoyer. |
Prospective Graduate Students (JD/PhD, PhD, & MS)
The Juvenile Justice Research and Reform Lab Lab works at the intersection of psychology, law, criminal justice, public health, and public policy. Training emphasizes applied, community-based work using translational research and implementation science approaches. All lab projects are designed to improve juvenile justice policy and practice to produce better outcomes for youth and communities.
Graduate students are actively involved in all lab projects and all phases of the research: from designing studies to publishing, from writing grant applications to presenting at conferences, from meetings with community stakeholders to providing jurisdictions with technical assistance in their system reform efforts.
Drexel University's Psychological and Brain Sciences Department offers an APA-accredited doctoral degree program and provides training for students in the scientist-practitioner model. This model emphasizes clinical research and the application of scientific principles, while concentrating on the integration of research and practice.
Graduate students are actively involved in all lab projects and all phases of the research: from designing studies to publishing, from writing grant applications to presenting at conferences, from meetings with community stakeholders to providing jurisdictions with technical assistance in their system reform efforts.
Drexel University's Psychological and Brain Sciences Department offers an APA-accredited doctoral degree program and provides training for students in the scientist-practitioner model. This model emphasizes clinical research and the application of scientific principles, while concentrating on the integration of research and practice.
Prospective Research Assistants
The Juvenile Justice Research and Reform Lab includes undergraduate students in all projects. Eligible research assistants must be able to dedicate at least 9 hours per week to lab research, for a minimum of two consecutive academic quarters. Drexel students interested in participating in lab projects may be eligible to earn 3 independent study credits per term. Volunteers are also welcome.
Research activities typically involve a) developing an understanding of the research process, including an overview of the topic of interest; b) acquiring data collection skills; c) acquiring analytic skills with the SPSS statistical package (e.g., data entry, data management, and running basic analyses); d) enhancing research presentation skills; and e) working closely with members of a large research team. Students regularly co-author papers and posters at national and international conferences, and opportunities exist for them to attend these conferences and present the lab's research.
Research assistants typically receive at least one hour of group supervision from Dr. Goldstein per week and at least one hour of supervision per week from a senior researcher in the lab.
If you are interested in becoming a research assistant, please contact Ann Chandler Tune.
Research activities typically involve a) developing an understanding of the research process, including an overview of the topic of interest; b) acquiring data collection skills; c) acquiring analytic skills with the SPSS statistical package (e.g., data entry, data management, and running basic analyses); d) enhancing research presentation skills; and e) working closely with members of a large research team. Students regularly co-author papers and posters at national and international conferences, and opportunities exist for them to attend these conferences and present the lab's research.
Research assistants typically receive at least one hour of group supervision from Dr. Goldstein per week and at least one hour of supervision per week from a senior researcher in the lab.
If you are interested in becoming a research assistant, please contact Ann Chandler Tune.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are you taking a graduate student for the 2024-2025 academic year?
Dr. Goldstein and the Juvenile Justice Research and Reform Lab are no longer accepting applications for the JD/PhD, PhD, or MS Programs for Fall 2024. They will know in early September whether they will be accepting applications for Fall 2025.
What type of Ph.D. applicant are you looking for?
We usually seek a Ph.D. applicant with high quality research experience and a strong academic record demonstrated by the strength of undergraduate institution, GPA (3.5 or greater is preferred), and GRE scores (if submitted). In addition, we look for outstanding letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose that indicates an understanding of the field and specification of the student's interests and goals. In other words, we select students who we believe are the best "match" for our lab. Other qualities sought include strong writing skills, initiative, capacity to work with community partners, and ability to work as part of a large, collaborative research team.
What type of JD/PhD applicant are you looking for?
The same criteria described above applies to JD/PhD applicants. Additionally, we seek a J.D./Ph.D. applicant who has a strong interest in connecting research and public policy.
How does the admissions process work?
Beginning in January, we review applications from those applicants who have indicated a desire to work in our lab (normally 125-175 people). Out of this set, approximately eight students are invited to Drexel for in-person interviews and an opportunity to meet faculty and students.
Will contacting you help my application or demonstrate my interest in the program?
No. We receive so many emails and phone calls per week, and so many applications (more than 500 in total; more than 125 to this lab), that we honestly do not have any way of remembering who has and has not contacted us. We make decisions solely on the basis of the criteria described above. Please only contact us if you genuinely have a question that we can answer.
What are your active lab projects?
The Juvenile Justice Research and Reform Lab has multiple ongoing projects. Based on active grant funding, the lab is currently dedicating substantial time and effort to the following projects: expungement clinic evaluation, implementation and evaluation of the Positive School Safety Program, juvenile probation transformation, diversion from juvenile justice processing, and racial equity. The lab team also provides training and technical assistance to jurisdictions and agencies seeking to enhance their juvenile justice systems. Please see the projects page for details about the lab's primary projects. Information is available here.
What projects will incoming graduate students work on?
Incoming graduate students will be involved primarily with projects focused on police practices, school safety, juvenile probation, juvenile diversion, expungement efforts, and reducing racial and ethnic disparities in the justice system.
What can you tell me about applying to the M.S. Program?
We use somewhat less stringent criteria for selection to the M.S. Program, but most of what is stated above still applies. The M.S. Program is a great option for applicants who are research-focused, but either do not want to attend a Ph.D. program or do not yet have sufficient research experience for a high-quality Ph.D. program. More information is available here.
Dr. Goldstein and the Juvenile Justice Research and Reform Lab are no longer accepting applications for the JD/PhD, PhD, or MS Programs for Fall 2024. They will know in early September whether they will be accepting applications for Fall 2025.
What type of Ph.D. applicant are you looking for?
We usually seek a Ph.D. applicant with high quality research experience and a strong academic record demonstrated by the strength of undergraduate institution, GPA (3.5 or greater is preferred), and GRE scores (if submitted). In addition, we look for outstanding letters of recommendation and a statement of purpose that indicates an understanding of the field and specification of the student's interests and goals. In other words, we select students who we believe are the best "match" for our lab. Other qualities sought include strong writing skills, initiative, capacity to work with community partners, and ability to work as part of a large, collaborative research team.
What type of JD/PhD applicant are you looking for?
The same criteria described above applies to JD/PhD applicants. Additionally, we seek a J.D./Ph.D. applicant who has a strong interest in connecting research and public policy.
How does the admissions process work?
Beginning in January, we review applications from those applicants who have indicated a desire to work in our lab (normally 125-175 people). Out of this set, approximately eight students are invited to Drexel for in-person interviews and an opportunity to meet faculty and students.
Will contacting you help my application or demonstrate my interest in the program?
No. We receive so many emails and phone calls per week, and so many applications (more than 500 in total; more than 125 to this lab), that we honestly do not have any way of remembering who has and has not contacted us. We make decisions solely on the basis of the criteria described above. Please only contact us if you genuinely have a question that we can answer.
What are your active lab projects?
The Juvenile Justice Research and Reform Lab has multiple ongoing projects. Based on active grant funding, the lab is currently dedicating substantial time and effort to the following projects: expungement clinic evaluation, implementation and evaluation of the Positive School Safety Program, juvenile probation transformation, diversion from juvenile justice processing, and racial equity. The lab team also provides training and technical assistance to jurisdictions and agencies seeking to enhance their juvenile justice systems. Please see the projects page for details about the lab's primary projects. Information is available here.
What projects will incoming graduate students work on?
Incoming graduate students will be involved primarily with projects focused on police practices, school safety, juvenile probation, juvenile diversion, expungement efforts, and reducing racial and ethnic disparities in the justice system.
What can you tell me about applying to the M.S. Program?
We use somewhat less stringent criteria for selection to the M.S. Program, but most of what is stated above still applies. The M.S. Program is a great option for applicants who are research-focused, but either do not want to attend a Ph.D. program or do not yet have sufficient research experience for a high-quality Ph.D. program. More information is available here.
