HTML Preview Law School Recommendation Letter From Employer page number 1.
HOW TO OBTAIN LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION & REFERENCES
Students and alumni from the Criminology & Criminal Justice (CCJ) program sometimes need a reference or
letter of recommendation from a faculty member when applying to graduate school, when seeking an
internship, or when they apply for a scholarship
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. Similarly, many criminal justice jobs require professional
references and/or detailed background investigations including interviews with former faculty and
classmates. While letters and references like these are just one factor in most application reviews, they are
usually weighted sufficiently to result in a denial if problems are evident. It is important, therefore, from
the outset of your time in the CCJ program that you understand what will help you earn a good reference
and recommendation.
There are basically three things you must do to receive a strong academic reference from a faculty
member:
1. Be fully prepared when you ask for a reference or recommendation
2. Do well in courses overall and in the classes of the professor(s) you may later contact for a reference
3. Stand out or be memorable
Be Fully Prepared
You should do everything possible to make it easier for people to write a letter on your behalf or serve as a
reference. We recommend the following steps:
1. Fully investigate all of the requirements for the application process.
2. Make a list of the 2-3 professors who know you the best and can speak to your particular strengths and
accomplishments as a student.
3. Contact the people on your list at least one month in advance of the due date to ask them if they will
write a letter on your behalf or serve as a reference.
a) It is usually best to make this contact in-person or via the phone rather than through email.
b) Explain what the reference is for (e.g., “I am applying to graduate school”, “I am interviewing for a
job with the FBI”).
c) Explain why you have chosen that specific person (e.g., “I really enjoyed your CCJ 320 Theories
class”).
d) Inform the person what is expected (e.g., write a letter, fill out rating forms, participate in an
interview).
e) Provide a clear due date for when the material needs to be submitted.
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Academic references and letters of recommendation should be from a professor or instructor. It is usually not
appropriate to ask a graduate teaching assistant, staff person, or academic adviser for such a letter.
Division of Criminology & Criminal Justice
Mark O. Hatfield School of Government