Tony Perriello, J.D., Program Director, Associate Professor
Email: tperriello@champlain.edu
Phone: 802.651.5989
The need for new practices and policies in the criminal justice system has never been greater. And there's no better place to explore your big, bold ideas than in our small but mighty state of Vermont. With a focus on social justice, Champlain's Criminology & Criminal Justice program addresses the changing nature of law enforcement today and prepares you to become an ethical, service-minded community leader.
You'll be on the cutting-edge of new ideas. Our innovative curriculum not only prepares you to succeed in today's criminal justice professions, but the ones of tomorrow as well. Covering everything from social and restorative justice, harm reduction, and anti-racism to recent advancements in cybercrime, criminology, and forensic science, Champlain's Criminology & Criminal Justice program empowers students to affect real and lasting change, wherever possible.
You'll learn by doing, starting in your first semester. We believe that the best way to learn is by getting out there and getting your hands dirty. Thanks to our Upside-Down Curriculum, you'll take a variety of criminal justice courses in your first year that will set you up for greater accomplishments in later internships or field work. As you continue your study, you will be able to gain first-hand professional experience within the local Burlington community-a national leader in forward-thinking criminal justice reform. You can even work with current prison inmates through our Prison Law Initiative, helping them do legal research and writing.
You'll gain a breadth of knowledge that will lead you anywhere you want to go. Bringing together the theoretical and the practical, this is a social sciences program with an interdisciplinary approach. Graduates will come away with a greater understanding of the role the criminal justice system plays throughout all facets of society.
This program was formerly known as Criminal Justice.
A bachelor's degree in Criminology & Criminal Justice from Champlain College is backed by deep experience and insight, opening doors to a wide variety of professional paths at the local, state, federal, private and non-profit levels. Potential careers include:
Public defense law
Cybercrime investigation
Law enforcement
Social work
Corrections
Restorative justice
Public policy
Investigative journalism
The best aim of the criminal justice system is to provide protection and justice for those most vulnerable and least able to pay for it. It is time to accept the challenge of creating a relevant, beneficial, anti-racist criminal justice program, and criminal justice system.
Read more in Bloomberg News
WHAT SETS US APART
Faculty Experts
You won't find better guides to help you become the community leaders of tomorrow. We have instructors who have been elected and appointed to important Vermont state government positions, have practiced law as prosecutors, and even served on an international war crimes tribunal. They teach you what they've learned on the job, giving you valuable insight to take with you into your professional life.
Pictured above from left to right: Liza Ryan '20 // Criminal Justice and Social Work; with Scott Pavek, an opioid harm reduction advocate and person in recovery; and Sarah George, Chittenden County State's Attorney; at a panel discussion on opioid harm reduction measures that was organized by Ryan.
Because you'll follow an in-depth curriculum in the Criminology & Criminal Justice major starting in your first semester, you'll soon be qualified for the kinds of law enforcement, cybercrime, criminal and social justice internships that many students take on in their final years of college. Students often come away from internships with a new career plan (and sometimes even full-time job offers).
Establish your place as a global citizen. As a Criminology & Criminal Justice major, a semester abroad is a chance to further enhance your course of study by opening your mind to other cultures and systems of justice. Whether through a third-party program almost anywhere in the world or a Champlain Abroad campus in Dublin or Montreal (where your financial aid will come with you!), we encourage all students to embark on a semester of global exploration.
Let us know you’re interested so we can keep in touch!
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