The National Judicial College

"After having the full gamut of courses, a Masters, and working on a doctorate, I am extremely familiar with the National Judicial College. There is simply no place like it. Going to Reno is a retreat I always look forward to. The quality of the faculty and courses is higher than any place else. Sure, you can get material at home online but that's not distinctive. The NJC has a 60 year history of affecting state trial court judges and others with unique and significant professional training - not to mention the advantage of networking with others around the country. It changed my life and continues to do so. If your budget can allow it, it's a treasure. Try to go at least once in your career as a judge. You won't regret it."

"Hello, I’m the director of communication/marketing for the NJC and have been with the organization for more than six years. Regarding the comments by “D .A.O.,” the College has been based at the same location, on the lovely campus of the University of Nevada, Reno, for nearly 60 years. In recent years, we have increasingly offered courses in other locations around the United States, overseas, and, especially, online. In fact, today the majority of the college’s courses are presented somewhere other than at our headquarters in Reno -- although Reno is a wonderfully scenic, comfortable and affordable place to visit any time of the year. The NJC is the oldest, largest and most widely attended school for judges in this country. Every year we educate judges from all 50 states and many foreign countries. Most of our online programs are presented free and are available on demand, and even many of our in-person courses are free after scholarships underwritten by grants. Many states offer their own limited continuing education programs for their own state’s judges – and we encourage it! We actually contract with many states by providing faculty and other expertise in presenting such courses. The NJC has always been the crossroads of the judiciary. Our alumni consistently talk of this being the only place where they can go and meet judges from other states. They enjoy being able to compare notes on how different courts and different judges address common problems, such as dealing fairly with self-represented litigants. Lastly, the college circulates evaluation surveys to all course participants with a goal of receiving an average grade of at least 6.5 out of 7. NJC courses consistently surpass that benchmark. If D. A.O. would like to learn more about the nonprofit and nonpartisan NJC, whose classes are taught almost entirely by hundreds of judges who return to teach as unpaid volunteers, or if the writer has any specific suggestions on how we can improve our service to the judiciary, we would be delighted to connect."

"Inconveniently located, expensive, and without especially sophisticated programming. Maybe it made sense to go out of one's way, to a random center in Reno, for CJEs when NJC had an effective monopoly on judicial education, but one can get better material online (often for free) that suffices for requirements, in many states. Avoid NJC unless you can secure a full scholarship, and even then, price out the trip. In most cases, it won't be worth it."

"It is absolutely beautiful inside this building, staff & Chief Officer we're super nice & helpful. I'd go here just read and get away the waiting area is pleasant and quiet."

"Great programs and instructors!"