How We Work

The staff of NJ STEP works with the partner colleges and New Jersey Department of Corrections (NJ DOC) to ensure appropriate course offerings and seamless transfers that ultimately allow students to complete degree requirements, which confers the associate’s degree in Liberal Arts and then advances to Rutgers University to complete baccalaureate requirements.

NJ-STEP follows the NJ-Transfer guidelines and Lampitt Law which maximizes the transfer of courses for students upon release. Upon completion of the associate’s degree, up to 60 credits are eligible for transfer to Rutgers University-Camden . As students transition back into the community, a STEP Completion Counselor helps those who have not yet completed their Associate’s degree enroll in community colleges near their residence. Once a student is enrolled, the STEP Completion Counselor works with them to finish their Associate’s degree work and continue on to admission at Rutgers University or other four-year state schools.

The Mountainview (MVC) Program at Rutgers University- Camden provides wrap-around admissions/transition services and support for STEP students to continue college degree work. STEP students who have completed their associate’s degree or have begun their Bachelor’s degree while incarcerated and maintained a 3.0 GPA or higher, are eligible for admission and degree completion work at Rutgers University- Camden. The Mountainview Community Counselor at Rutgers-Camden provides ongoing support through admissions counseling; campus networking; accountability; assistance with housing, financial management, and legal issues; peer support meetings; and facilitation of gainful employment opportunities on and off campus.