![Rendering of the outside of Bull Hall following the construction of a state-of-the-art Crime Scene Lab.](/sites/default/files/styles/width_2520/public/2023-01/crime_scene_exterior_at_bull_hall.jpg?h=b4071d2a&itok=TVbLdh4O)
Criminal Justice
About This Program
You are fascinated by the study of crime and the enforcement of law. You want a career that helps keep people safe—and serves society at large. Criminal Justice may be the major for you.
Why Utica University
Utica University's celebrated major in Criminal Justice is one that combines a solid foundation in core academics with a practical learning approach emphasizing research, technology, and real-world professional experiences. The program has earned a national reputation for its innovative curriculum, exceptional facilities, and highly accomplished faculty.
Bull Hall, which houses Utica University's Criminal Justice program, is currently looking to the future with a Crime Lab expansion project (as seen in the rendering above), with the help of $717,000 via Community Project Funding through the Fiscal Year 2023 Federal Omnibus Appropriations Bill.
Criminal Justice at Utica
What You'll Learn
Criminal Justice is the study of crime, its causes, and its effects on society. It is concerned with preventing and deterring criminal behavior, providing a system where justice and legal rights are served, and rehabilitating the offender. Utica University’s Criminal Justice Program promotes professional and international learning experiences as well as opportunities for active participation in departmental research. The Criminal Justice major culminates in a capstone experience that can include an internship at the federal, state, or local government level, or in private industry.
![Justice Law Generic](/sites/default/files/styles/width_1080/public/2019-01/justice_law_generic.jpg?h=6696d809&itok=saVl2QmZ)
Criminal Justice Faculty
![Financial crime investigation at Utica College](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2019-01/rebovich_class_022514_0196.jpg?itok=r-uB4MtJ)
- Distinguished Professor of Criminal Justice
![Dr. Gregory Walsh](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2019-02/walsh_gregory_criminal_justice_20181112_0005.jpg?itok=QjBBsNBs)
- Associate Professor of Criminal Justice
![Shanna Van Slyke In class](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2020-08/201912062019-12-06_vanslyke_dataanalysis_041sm2.png?itok=Kp96mB5H)
- Professor of Criminal Justice
![Professor Bernie Hyman](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2019-06/20180215_hyman-bernie-750w.jpg?itok=wYALyuLD)
- Professor of Practice - Economic Crime Mgmt
![Professor William Virkler](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2019-02/20180319_virkler-72dpi.jpg?itok=qtEsLvuM)
- Professor of Practice-Criminal Justice
![Image of Robert Swenszkowski](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2023-03/rss22.jpg?itok=zy-MHg4y)
- Professor of Practice-Criminal Justice
![Musco Millner stands on campus, smiling at camera.](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2021-11/Musco%20Millner%203000x2000.jpg?itok=wc9gsQYk)
- Assistant Professor of Criminal Justice
![Professor James C. Brown](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2020-07/prof-james-brown.jpg?itok=po64DhfP)
- Associate Professor of Management & Administrative Studies
![Headshot of Raymond Philo](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2021-01/ray_philo_cropped_3000x2000.jpg?itok=B4xPZFol)
- Adjunct Professor of Criminal Justice
![Photo of Michael Sanchez in uniform.](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2021-01/image_michael_sanchez_cj_adjunct.jpg?itok=GseI_Oe4)
- Adjunct Instructor of Criminal Justice
![Michelle Collver smiling in front of a brick wall.](/sites/default/files/styles/width_240/public/2021-04/michelle_collver.jpg?itok=yMV2kQ4s)
- Adjunct Lecturer of Cybersecurity
A Degree That Works
Graduates of the program have opportunities in a variety of criminal justice fields including policing, law, probation, juvenile services, private security, public administration/planning, counseling, research, and regulatory enforcement. Graduates may also pursue advanced study in fields such as public administration, criminal justice and criminology, management, and law.
Utica University Criminal Justice alumni have taken leadership positions in Criminal Justice-related fields across the county, and at all levels of government, including agencies such as:
- FBI
- U.S. Secret Service
- New York State Police
- Oneida County Sheriff's Office
- Utica Police Department
- Rome Police Department
- U.S Treasury
- Veteran’s Affairs Administration
- N.Y. State Attorney General’s Office, and many others!
![Bull Hall at Utica University](/sites/default/files/styles/width_1350/public/2024-06/2018-Bull-Hall-Video-Still-1350x1050-rev.jpg?h=14b2953f&itok=NVE8TKLs)
Student Voices: Danielle Alpi
A brief conversation with Danielle Alpi, a graduate of the criminal justice major now enrolled in Utica University's M.S. in Cybersecurity.
Experiential Learning
Students enjoy a rich variety of real-world learning opportunities, including trips like the program's recent tour of the New York State Homeland Security and Emergency Services, State Preparedness Training Center. (see image).
Documenting a Crime Scene
Students in Professor Shanna Van Slyke's CRJ 222 Criminal Justice Communications class examine clues and document a "crime" scene, set up in Bull Hall.
Video shot by Gabriella Hudziak and edited by Isabella Hudziak for The Tangerine.
![Students get a hands-on lesson with forensics at a mock crime scene.](/sites/default/files/styles/width_650/public/2023-04/criminal_justice_crime_scene_lab_forensics_lesson_650x440.jpg?h=007a0283&itok=v81Y9fuH)
Hands-On Forensics
Criminal Justice Professor Robert Swenszkowski teamed with Dr. Jessica Thomas, Professor of Biology, to develop a Crime Scene Forensics course in Bull Hall, providing another opportunity for students to engage in experiential learning.
The Latest from Justice Studies
![Members of the Utica Mock Trial Team at the 2023 Regionals in Buffalo.](/sites/default/files/styles/width_550/public/2023-05/Utica%20Mock%20Trial%20Team%20at%202023%20Regionals%2001.jpg?h=97fed13d&itok=dDfoXpK0)
A Taste of the Real Thing: Utica University Mock Trial Goes to Regionals
![Rendering of the outside of Bull Hall following the construction of a state-of-the-art Crime Scene Lab.](/sites/default/files/styles/width_550/public/2023-01/crime_scene_exterior_at_bull_hall.jpg?h=b4071d2a&itok=slr4FdU9)
New Crime Scene Lab to provide students with state-of-the-art, hands-on learning in incident response
![NYS Supreme Court Justice Janet Malone '86 speaks at the 2022 Undergraduate Commencement ceremony.](/sites/default/files/styles/width_550/public/2022-05/judge_janet_malone_at_2022_commencement.jpg?h=204b130e&itok=nemRWKeF)
Making History - New York State Supreme Court Justice Janet Malone '86
![Academic Quad at Utica College](/sites/default/files/styles/width_1440/public/2019-01/fall-quad-cta-1440x350.jpg?itok=_8ViqBAR)