What Can You Do with a Criminology Degree

Have you ever considered a career where you can make a real difference in the fight against illegal acts and uphold justice? If you're passionate about understanding criminal behavior and the legal system, a degree in criminology can open doors to a variety of rewarding careers.

This program goes beyond the sensationalized portrayals of crime in popular culture. You'll gain valuable knowledge about the causes and consequences of unlawful acts, along with the inner workings of the system. But most importantly, you'll discover exciting career paths that allow you to put this knowledge into action and contribute to a safer society.

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Criminology Degree Overview

Criminology focuses on the causes and consequences of crime. As a criminology student, you will:

• Learn to identify patterns in crime data to understand why and where unlawful acts occur.
• Use your knowledge of crime causes to create effective strategies to prevent unlawful acts in communities.
• Gain insights into law enforcement, courts, corrections, and how these components work together.

Many programs offer specialized courses to tailor your studies, potentially in areas like Cybercrime or juvenile delinquency.

In short, this degree prepares you to be a crime analyst. In criminology degree jobs, you'll be the one using data to understand unlawful acts and develop strategies to prevent it, ultimately contributing to a safer society.

Check out our special list of exciting criminology research topics.

What Do Criminologists Do

If you want a career directly impacting crime and justice, criminology equips you with the skills to do just that. As already mentioned, you'll gather and analyze information about lawbreaking, helping you understand why it happens and how to prevent it.

Here are the main criminologist duties:

• Data Analysis: Collect both qualitative (descriptive) and quantitative (numerical) data on crime. This data helps you identify trends, understand root causes, and ultimately develop strategies to prevent crime in communities.
• Collaboration: Work closely with law enforcement. By sharing insights on lawbreaking patterns, you help officers develop proactive policing strategies to prevent crime before it occurs. Criminologists collaborate with policymakers, offering data-driven recommendations to shape effective laws.

This field takes two main approaches:

• Reactive Approach that focuses on past criminal events. You'll need to analyze details to understand the "why" behind the crime. This knowledge helps identify potential risk factors and prevent similar crimes.
• Preventative Approach that focuses on preventing future crimes. By analyzing crime data and patterns, you can predict areas or situations with a high risk of lawbreaking. This allows law enforcement to be more proactive, allocating resources to prevent crimes before they occur.

Why Get a Degree in Criminology

If you crave a stimulating career using data to make a positive impact, a criminology degree is a strong choice. If you're tasked with the question 'What can you do with a criminology degree?' consider the following:

• Job Demand: Crime is a constant issue, and qualified criminologists are needed by law enforcement, government, and research groups.
• Career Variety: This degree goes beyond police work. You can work in prevention, victim support, or even private security.
• Valuable Skills: You'll gain skills in data analysis and research that apply beyond criminal justice, like public policy or social work.
• Intellectual Challenge: The field is constantly evolving. You'll think critically about complex social issues and develop solutions.

Criminology Degree Jobs

Your criminology degree equips you to tackle unlawful acts head-on. From analyzing data to understanding unlawful behavior, your skills are valuable in various fields. Let's explore some career paths where you can put your knowledge to work and make a real difference in the field.

And while you're at it, be sure to check out the best colleges for criminal justice.

Police Officer

This is perhaps the most well-known role for the field graduates. Police officers are on the front lines of law enforcement, patrolling communities, responding to emergencies, and conducting investigations. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 3% job growth for police officers over the next decade (as fast as average), highlighting the ongoing need for qualified professionals.

Police officers wear many hats. They enforce laws, investigate unlawful acts, arrest suspects, and provide public safety services. Their duties can involve responding to domestic violence calls, conducting traffic stops, or writing reports. The specific responsibilities may vary depending on the agency and location.

Here's your criminology degree advantage: Your understanding of lawbreaking trends, criminal behavior, and the criminal justice system will be invaluable as a police officer. You'll be able to analyze situations effectively, make sound decisions, and contribute to community policing initiatives.

Detective/Investigator

Detectives typically handle more complex investigations than police officers. They may spend time at crime scenes collecting evidence, conducting interviews, and analyzing reports. They might also work undercover, develop leads, and collaborate with forensic teams and prosecutors to build strong cases.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics groups detectives with criminal investigators under the same category. This combined field is projected to experience 3% job growth over the next decade. This positive outlook reflects the ongoing need for skilled investigators to solve crimes and ensure public safety.

This criminology major equips you with the analytical skills and knowledge of criminal behavior crucial for detective work. You'll be able to understand crime scene evidence, assess witness testimonies, and develop effective investigative strategies. Your knowledge of the criminal justice system will also be beneficial when collaborating with prosecutors to bring cases to trial.

Probation Officer

Probation officers supervise offenders released from prison or jail but not yet free of court supervision. They help these individuals reintegrate into society by monitoring their behavior, enforcing court-ordered conditions, and providing support services.

About 7,400 openings for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists are projected each year, on average, over the decade. This reflects the ongoing need for effective rehabilitation programs to reduce recidivism (re-offending) rates.

Your background in the field will provide valuable insight into criminal behavior and rehabilitation strategies. You'll be able to understand the factors that contribute to recidivism, assess risks, and develop effective plans to help probationers succeed. Your knowledge of the criminal justice system will also be helpful when navigating legal procedures and collaborating with other professionals.

Crime Scene Investigator

CSIs arrive first at crime scenes to secure the area, collect physical evidence, and document the scene. Their job involves:

• Protecting the Scene to make sure the crime scene is safeguarded to prevent any contamination that could damage evidence.
• Careful Collection of physical evidence like fingerprints, DNA samples, or weapon traces, following specific procedures.
• Detailed Records of the scene with photographs, sketches, and detailed notes to be used later for analysis.

Your knowledge will help you build strong cases based on the evidence, allowing you to recognize potential evidence sources, collect them properly, and ensure everything is documented correctly for court.

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Forensic Scientist

Forensic scientists take over after the CSI finishes. They analyze the evidence collected from crime scenes in a lab using advanced equipment. Here's what they do:

• Lab Analysis Experts: They analyze things like fingerprints, DNA samples, evidence from weapons (ballistics), or toxicology reports. This helps link suspects to illegal acts, identify victims, or piece together the timeline of events.
• Explaining Science in Court: Forensic scientists might present their findings in court. They explain the science behind their analysis to juries in a clear and easy-to-understand way.
• Specialization Options: This field offers specializations beyond traditional crime scene analysis. You could explore digital forensics by examining electronic devices, document analysis for forgeries, or even trace evidence analysis like hair or fiber samples.

Your criminology major in this field makes you a valuable asset. You'll be able to interpret evidence considering the crime itself, translate complex scientific findings into simpler terms for court, and significantly contribute to building a strong case.

Corrections Officer

Corrections officers are the backbone of maintaining order and safety in prisons and jails. They supervise people who are locked up, making sure they follow the rules. Here's what they do:

• Watch inmate behavior, check cells, and enforce prison rules. They might also need to break up fights and handle emergencies.
• Safety is important, but corrections officers can also help inmates improve their lives. They might talk to inmates, offer basic support, and keep the prison calm and organized.
• Good records are essential. Corrections officers write down details about inmate behavior, any problems that happen, and anything related to safety to make sure everything runs smoothly and fairly.

Knowing about crime and the justice system is a big plus. With these jobs in the criminology field, you'll be able to calm situations down, handle conflict effectively, and create a safe environment for both inmates and staff.

Criminal Profiler

Criminal profilers, also called criminal investigative analysts, try to understand how criminals think. They look at crime scene evidence, information about victims, and how criminals act to create a picture of who the suspect might be.

Unlike Hollywood portrayals, criminal profiling is not about mind reading or predicting specific actions. Profiles provide insights and possibilities, but they are not foolproof. Investigative work and evidence remain crucial for solving illegal acts.

Established in the 1970s, the FBI's BSU is a pioneering unit in criminal profiling. Famous profilers like John Douglas and Roy Hazelwood played a significant role in developing profiling techniques and have been involved in high-profile cases like the Green River Killer and the Son of Sam.

Criminology majors in this role work closely with detectives and other investigators, sharing their insights to solve complex cases. They act as consultants, providing a psychological perspective that complements traditional investigative methods.

Victim Advocate

Victim advocates are the champions for those who have suffered from illegal acts. As the criminal justice system can be complex and intimidating, these professionals help victims navigate the legal process, accompany them to court appearances, and ensure their voices are heard.

Victim advocates may also work on broader issues related to victim rights and safety. They might lobby for legislative changes, raise public awareness about victim issues, or develop support programs for specific victim populations.

According to Statista's recent studies, nearly 1.2 million violent crimes were committed against individuals in 2022. The road to healing is a long one. Victim advocates provide ongoing support and resources to help victims rebuild their lives after a traumatic experience.

Crime Analyst

Crime analysts use their analytical skills to examine lawbreaking patterns, trends, and statistics to help law enforcement develop proactive strategies. As a criminology major in this role, you'll

• Gather and analyze data from various sources, including police reports, crime statistics, and demographic information.
• Identify high-crime areas, understand the types of unlawful acts most prevalent, or pinpoint peak times for criminal activity.
• Develop reports and recommendations for law enforcement agencies to deploy resources effectively, target high-risk areas, and develop preventive measures to reduce illegal acts.

With the increasing availability of crime data, analysts play a more significant role in modern law enforcement. Their data-driven insights are crucial for developing effective strategies that go beyond traditional reactive policing methods.

Security Consultant

Security consultants use their knowledge to find security weaknesses and create plans to keep everything safe. Here's what they do:

• Thorough checks to find vulnerabilities that criminals could exploit.
• Creating a plan to fix them, such as recommending security software or even improving physical security like stronger locks or cameras.
• Staying informed about the latest threats so their plans can effectively stop these new dangers.

Security consultants often work with IT specialists, security teams within the company, and company leaders to put their plans into action. They act as trusted advisors, making sure everyone is on the same page about achieving strong security measures.

As Cybercrime is expected to cost businesses around the world a staggering $10.5 trillion by 2025, these professionals play a vital role in helping businesses reduce these risks and protect their important data.

What Other Jobs Can You Get with a Criminology Degree?

While the jobs we've explored directly apply your knowledge of the field, a degree in criminology opens doors to a wider range of opportunities. Here are some additional criminology degree jobs where your skills can be valuable:

• Social Worker: Your understanding of social issues and criminal behavior can be an asset in helping individuals and families facing challenges. You might work with at-risk youth, victims of offense, or those struggling with substance abuse.
• Community Development Worker: Community development workers play a role in improving neighborhoods and reducing crime rates. You might work on programs that address poverty, lack of opportunity, or social disorganization.
• Paralegal: Your knowledge of the legal system can be helpful in a legal setting. Paralegals assist lawyers with research, case preparation, and legal documentation.
• Intelligence Analyst: Your analytical skills and understanding of criminal behavior can be valuable in government agencies. Intelligence analysts gather and analyze information to assess potential threats and risks, both domestic and international.
• Research Analyst: Criminology research is crucial for informing policy decisions and crime prevention strategies. Research analysts gather data, analyze trends, and prepare reports to contribute to a better understanding of unlawful acts.
• Fraud Investigator: This field equips you to understand criminal motives and methods. Fraud investigators analyze financial transactions and other data to identify and investigate fraudulent activity.

What is the Highest Paying Job in Criminology

At the top of the salary scale are judges and hearing officers, who oversee legal proceedings and make crucial decisions within the justice system. Their median annual salary of $128,710 reflects the significant responsibility and expertise required for this critical role.

This list explores ten of the highest-paying careers, ranked by median annual salary.

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