School of Criminal Justice - University at Albany

06/13/2025

Caridad Garcia, an NYPD officer and UAlbany alum, returned to the university to pursue a master’s at the School of Criminal Justice. Attracted by the school’s top-ranked program, she aims to deepen her understanding of the justice system.

A proud UAlbany alum and current NYPD officer, Caridad Garcia returned to UAlbany to pursue an MA in Criminal Justice at the School of Criminal Justice - University at Albany with the support of a department scholarship.

Drawn to UAlbany for its top-ranked program, she hopes to deepen her understanding of the criminal justice system and explore innovative, community-focused approaches to modern policing.

Through coursework and discussions with classmates—including fellow officers and students from across the field—she has sharpened her analytical thinking and broadened her perspective on law enforcement today.

📚 Her advice for prospective students: “It’s never too late to pursue graduate study—give it all you have. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

06/12/2025

Every year, courts send hundreds of thousands of people to treatment-based programs as alternatives to traditional punishment. These alternatives—known as ‘diversion programs’—are widely celebrated as reforms that reduce the punishment of the mentally ill. But in Trial by Treatment, Mary Ellen Stitt, an assistant professor in the School of Criminal Justice, shows that they have, in fact, expanded the reach of the criminal legal system and its power over the lives of the most vulnerable.

Read more here:

A troubling account of the unexpected impacts of treatment-based alternatives to criminal punishment. Every year, courts send hundreds of thousands of people to treatment-based programs as alternatives to traditional punishment. These alternatives—known as ‘diversion programs’—are widely cel...

05/20/2025

The Cold Case Analysis Center at the School of Criminal Justice was featured in a recent Spectrum News story about college enrollment in New York State. Watch the segment here:

SUNY enrollment has increased the last two years, according to the chancellor.

05/15/2025

Congratulations graduates!

Nearly 5,000 graduates will join the ranks of more than 200,000 alumni at the University at Albany’s Commencement 2025 festivities, which will be held May 15 to 18. The milestone event at the 181-year-old University will feature a series of individual stage crossings throughout the week as well as...

04/24/2025

Please join us as we honor this year's Rockefeller College and School of Criminal Justice alumni and student award recipients! This annual celebratory event will include a presentation of awards as well as a reception at the UAlbany ETEC Building.

Registration deadline is tomorrow, April 25nd! Register at https://www.alumni.albany.edu/rockefeller25

04/18/2025

Congratulations to Caitlin Udas, a teaching assistant and PhD student in the School of Criminal Justice, who was one of two dozen University faculty and staff members recognized Wednesday for their service to the institution.

Two dozen University faculty and staff members were recognized Wednesday for their service to the institution with endowed professorships and the President’s Excellence Awards.

03/20/2025

Join us as we honor this year's Rockefeller College and School of Criminal Justice alumni and student award recipients! This annual celebratory event will include a presentation of awards as well as a reception at the UAlbany ETEC Building. Registration deadline is April 25nd! Register at https://www.alumni.albany.edu/rockefeller25

03/18/2025

In a recent interview on the Engagement Ring, Dr. Camela Hughes explains how University at Albany students are helping investigative agencies and families solve cold cases, including missing persons cases and unsolved crimes. Listen to the podcast here: https://the-engagement-ring.simplecast.com/episodes/turning-up-the-heat-on-cold-cases

Dr. Hughes directs the Cold Case Analysis Center within the School of Criminal Justice and oversees an internship program that provides students with hands on project-based learning experience in forensic science, law and criminal investigation techniques.

Dr. Camela Hughes explains how University at Albany students are helping investigative agencies and families solve cold cases, including missing persons cases and unsolved crimes. Dr Hughes directs the Cold Case Analysis Center within the UAlbany School of Criminal Justice and oversees an internship...

03/14/2025

Please join us for The Highest Law in the Land: How the Unchecked Power of Sheriffs Threatens Democracy, presented by Jessica Pishko, a journalist and lawyer who has been reporting on the criminal legal system for a decade.

Friday, April 25 at 1:00 pm in Husted 106A on the UAlbany Downtown Campus.

08/21/2024

We are deeply saddened by the passing of our esteemed alum, Alice Green. Dr. Green earned an MA and PhD from the UAlbany School of Criminal Justice.

"The entire University at Albany community mourns the loss of a great advocate, philanthropist, and educator,” said UAlbany President Havidán Rodríguez. “Alice Green’s name has long been synonymous with the fight for justice and equity in the Capital Region and beyond. She will be remembered as a tireless advocate for justice for people in marginalized communities and a believer in the transformational power of education. Alice and her husband, Charles Touhey, established a program at UAlbany to diversify the teaching and counseling professions in our region and Alice regularly spoke during New York State Writers Institute events and to UAlbany students. In 2022, UAlbany recognized Alice’s commitment to social justice and advocacy and her ongoing service to underserved communities by naming her a Citizen Laureate of the university."

Founder of the Center for Law and Justice died Tuesday afternoon at St. Peter's Hospital

08/06/2024

This fall, UAlbany students will be able to help investigative agencies and the community solve cold cases — including missing persons and unsolved crimes — through internships in the Cold Case Analysis Center, located within the School of Criminal Justice on the Downtown Campus.

The Cold Case Analysis Center, or CCAC, moved to UAlbany under the leadership of Camela Hughes after the College of Saint Rose closed in spring of 2024. Hughes, now a visiting assistant professor in UAlbany’s School of Criminal Justice, got her master’s and PhD degrees from UAlbany.

The CCAC moved to UAlbany under the leadership of Camela Hughes after the College of Saint Rose closed in spring of 2024.

05/14/2024

Congratulations, Graduates! 🎓🎉