I have recently graduated from Utica College with a B.S. in Cybersecurity & Information Assurance with a concentration in cybercrime investigations and forensics. I must say from the start of the program to where it is now has significantely changed. The cybercrime investigation and forensic courses 1, 2, and 3 are great courses that teach methodology and practical hands on excersise. These courses have shifted from computer security to a definitive computer forensics investigations. The new CF lab has been built on campus jointly with the FBI, secret service and many others. The program provides you with the necessary fundamentels to get started in this field.
I graduated from Utica college in 2004. Keep in mind that my comments are reflective of my on campus experience from '04 and that the college may have changed.
Back then the program was geared towards identity theft/cybersecurity and not computer forensics. It seems as though they now have changed the program and have a greater forensic component.
While the staff at UC had some great knowledge, they did not excel in computer forensics. I would be curious who they have brought on to teach these classes and what their experience is.
Most of the computer security courses (not the forensics courses)
I took at Utica were utterly horrible. I can recall three professors that were downright scary in their ability to convey knowledge. Either they were not capable of teaching to undergrads, were tenured and had no 'up to date knowledge' and were content showing powerpoint slides from the book, or were downright lousy. Make no mistake, the computer science (not the law, forensics, or other areas) department at Utica college was absolutely terrible.
Also, Utica is planning on dropping their connection to Syracuse University. I am not sure when this takes place but I'm pretty sure that few new classes will have the SU degree.
I also felt that the tuition at Utica was darn pricey for an undergrad degree. I would not have gone there if it was not for the ECI program.
Don't get me wrong… I'm not saying Utica is terrible. However, Utica did not have the right staff in place on '04 to have a computer forensics degree. THey may have made that transition over the past few years.
What I can tell you about Champlain is that they have a few great instructors. I've been in the community for a few years and have seen some of their work. Gary Kessler has a great reputation and seems to know his stuff. Also, they seem to be wired better into the computer forensic community and have a more established program.
Take my experience and comments with a grain of salt. Your undergrad isn't the most important degree you will ever get. As a previous postings stated, look at the instructors, cost, reputation, program, and weigh those.
If I were you, I would go to Champlain college.
The most important factor in your success is ultimately you, not the program. Your ability to learn, network, and get out there will determine your success.
Good luck!
Redline,
I don't know if you have decided upon a college to go for your undergrad, but I also attended Utica College in the Cybersecurity program. I took the route with a concentration in Computer Forensics rather than Information Assurance. They are dissolving the Info Assurance into the Computer Forensics anyway so you won't have to worry about that. They are also considering bringing the Computer Security ECI degree together with the Computer Forensics one to provide a more well-rounded experience in Computer Forensics. As some have said, Utica College has officially separated from Syracuse University so don't expect that extra seal on your degree. They have finished construction on the new CIMIP building, which will house research facilities and classrooms for the Computer Forensics program as well as the ECI programs. The building should be open for use in the Spring '09 semester. Utica has come a long way with its staff to provide a better variety of experience in its professors. Some are definitely not the best but some, like Sgt. Tony Martino of the Utica Police Department are not only great teachers but they can also provide you with that real world experience that everyone is searching for in college. I did an internship with him at the UPD and it was directly from that experience that I got the job I currently have. The internship program is a strong point in the Utica education because it forces you to make connections with those in the CF workforce. The Utica tuition is pricey, I think it is around 26,000 a year now.
But like everyone that was in that program said, take what I say with a grain of salt. I got some good information from the program because I offered to be a teaching assistant and sought out extra information. There are certainly professors that aren't worth your time but there could be those at any school you attend.
Also keep in mind that Utica is a liberal arts college and the technical level left me a little disappointed but thats what the purpose of the new building is.
I haven't been in, or heard anything about the Champlain degree so I cannot comment on it but I'm sure you will be fine either way.
Feel free to pm me if you have any questions about the program or if you would like information on who to contact at the college that can give you some good information.
Best of luck