Criminologists are professionals who study the nature of crime and criminals and the social implications of crimes. They do this in a view to detect criminals and prevent crimes. They are usually very smart people as their work involves the knowledge of sociology, psychology, criminology, statistics, and criminal justice. In this post, we will provide you with all relevant information about criminologists. You will learn more about who they are, what they do, and the skills they possess that help them do what they do. You will also see how much they earn as well as what they do to progress in their careers.
Who is a Criminologist?
Criminologists are experts who study and evaluate the nature of several kinds of crime as well as the criminals who committed them. They may not be directly involved in solving crimes or punishing offenders yet their job lies between sociology and law enforcement. Therefore, Criminologists study human behavior (of criminals) to dictate behavioral patterns and those that deviate from the norm. With their analysis, they can say what caused it, if there were warning signs, and where the next crime is likely to happen. Thus, they mainly work for law enforcement agencies. However, the criminologist job can also involve conducting research and creating policies that will help reduce crimes. Meanwhile, you can check out these Law Scholarships.
What is the Criminologist Job Description?
The major job of a criminologist is to study every aspect of crime – the physical crime scenes, sociological cause, and criminal psychology – with a view to solve and prevent them from happening again. Thus, the criminologist’s job involves a lot of research. They gather statistics of crime based on demographics and location. He also works on policies that will help reduce crimes in a city or town as well as ensure fair treatment of criminals. When working with law enforcement, however, the criminologist’s job may include visiting crime scenes and interviewing criminals. They interview criminals to understand their motivation for committing crimes as well as how their mind works. In addition to these, criminologists also perform the following job duties:
Where do Criminologists Work?
The major work environment where criminologists can carry out their job duties are: In addition to these, criminologists can also work in private security and law enforcement firms. Also, they can work in social welfare services such as mental health support and drug rehabilitation.
What Jobs Can I Get With a Criminology Degree?
You can easily become a criminologist with a criminology degree. This is because criminology is the scientific study of nature, extent, management, causes, control, consequences, and prevention of criminal behavior. Exactly what a criminologist is concerned about. However, there are some very related jobs you can take if you have a criminology degree. These Criminology degree jobs are: There are also some other job positions you can fit into with your criminology degree which are not closely related to your degree. Some of these jobs are Adult Guidance Worker, Chaplain, Data Scientist, Border Force Officer, Social researcher, Local Government Officer, and Social Researcher. However, for these job positions, you may need additional qualifications. You can also read: How can I become an FBI agent? Requirements, Career & Salaries
Criminology Salary and Job Outlook
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not have data for Criminologists. However, they have data for Sociologists and Police & Detectives. Both are professions closely related to Criminology. So, according to BLS, sociologists’ average annual pay is $82,050 while Police and Detectives’ average annual pay is $63,380. Also, their estimated job growth from 2018 to 2028 is 9% and 5% respectively. On the other hand, Glassdoor gives the average annual salary of Development Criminologists as $67,677. Meanwhile, Developmental Criminologists study the criminal behavior of individuals as well as the reasons for such behaviors at different times or ages of their life. Furthermore, according to Glassdoor, an Assistant Professor of criminology at Sonoma State earns $91,285 annually. It is clear then that when you can earn a decent wage taking jobs related to criminology. And these jobs have at least an average job growth.
Criminology Education
It takes deliberate effort to become a criminologist. You will need the right kind of education and experience to grow up into a fine criminologist. We will take you on a step by step process on the right education you need to become a criminologist. If you’ll be studying criminology at the university, you’ll find these Top 10 Criminal Justice Scholarships helpful.
Do I need a Criminology License?
Depending on the kind of job you wish to get with your criminology degree, you will require a license. For example, working as a criminologist with a law enforcement agency in several locations will require a license. You will have to sit for and pass examinations that are separate from your criminology degree or related degree which you have earned. Thus, in addition to your degree, you may need to gain a license to be able to practice as a criminologist. So, what you have to do is to search for the requirements of your criminology job in your location. If it requires a license to practice, learn about the format of their examination and study hard for it.
Criminology Schools
Are you looking for schools where you can get a criminologist degree or take criminology courses? here are the top five criminology schools according to US News & World Report. The University of Maryland, College Park has a department of Criminology and Criminal Justice that offers degree programs and courses in Criminology. You can get one of the best BA in criminology as well as graduate and PhD degrees. Visit School The University of Albany – SUNY offers its criminology programs through its School of Criminal Justice. The School grooms students in all aspects of crime and societal reactions to crime. You can get some of the best Graduate and Undergraduate Criminology programs here. Visit School The University of California, Irvine (UCI) offers its department of Criminology, Law, and Society. Their undergraduate and PhD program prepares students for a career in Criminology. Also, the department gives students the option of getting an online master’s degree in criminology.Visit School Through the University of Cincinnati’s School of Criminal Justice, you can get one of the best Criminology degrees in the USA. The University of Cincinnati offers BS, MS, and Special Courses and Programs in Criminal Justice leading to a criminologist career. Arizona State University’s School of Criminology and Criminal Justice offers quality criminology programs and courses. In addition to its BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice, you can also take several criminology certificate courses to advance in your criminologist career.
Skills Required to be a Criminologist
While you are getting the right education to build a flourishing Criminologist career, there are certain skills you have to possess. These skills are: Additionally, you must have an interest in Public Policy. This is because a career in criminology positions you to influence public policy. So, your interest in public policy will determine your level of success in preventing crime, which is a vital aspect of the job. Furthermore, IT skills and the ability to work productively in groups will also help you grow in your Criminologist Career.
Career Tips for Criminologists
It is not enough to earn a criminologist degree or get a criminology or criminology related job. You have to build a strong criminologist career and grow in order to earn better. So, here are useful tips that will help you advance in your criminologist career.
1. Become a Member of a Professional Association
Joining a professional association helps you network and grow in your career. If you join a criminology association, you will be able to get personal professional help on almost every aspect of your career. Some of the professional associations you can join as a criminologist include the International Society for Criminology, the American Society of Criminology, and the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences.
2. Consider Alternative Careers
In reality, there are not many clearly spelt out “Criminologist Jobs.” Many graduate with criminology degrees end up taking up a related job. So, while you’re taking the necessary steps towards a criminologist career advancement, consider jobs like Border Patrol Agent, Compliance Officer, Federal Protection Officer, and Legal Assistant. These jobs may not be your first choice but they are equally rewarding and your criminology degree can get you these jobs.
3. Attend Criminologists Conferences
Professional Conferences will help you learn more in the field. Attending Criminologists Conferences will open you up to new developments and issues in the field. So, if you wish to regularly attend criminologists conferences, follow associations like the American Society of Criminology, the Western Society of Criminology, and the European Society of Criminology.
4. Read and Publish Research in the Field
There is no better way to make a name in a field than to publish quality research. However, to be able to publish research in criminology, you must have read and are reading widely in the field. Also, you can publish a report on the work you’ve done that you feel is very informative. So, if you have report, research or articles on criminologists you wish to share, publish them in any of the following journals:
5. Take Continuing Education Courses
Criminology, like several other fields, is dynamic. There are constantly changing technologies, methods of operating, and policies in the field. Thus, while gaining working experience in the field, you may also need to update your knowledge. You can take criminologist courses such as Documentation and Forensics, Combating Cyber Crime, and Promoting Crime Prevention to remain relevant in the field. Universities, Colleges, Professional Associations, and Government Agencies offer these continuing education opportunities. You just have to be on the lookout for them.
6. Specialize
Specialization may be the ultimate step to career growth in criminology. When you specialize in a sub-field in criminology and you gain recognition in that field, you become an authority people seek. Areas in criminology to specialize include National Security, Cyber Crime, and Translational Criminology. However, to specialize in any of these, you will need to work on projects, take relevant courses, and publish more research, articles, and reports in the specific field.
Is A Degree In Criminology Worth It?
With the ongoing increase and projected increase in demand for criminologists, it is a great time to consider a career in criminology. The duty of a criminologist is one that impacts society and beyond. Through exemplary discharge of duties, criminologists protect and serve communities. Earning a criminology degree prepares you to excel in a law enforcement career. It also offers you a better view of human and societal behavior that can help improve your skillset in the game. According to Czarnec on snhu.edu, the hallmark of an effective study of criminology involves theory and its important relationship to the development of successful data-driven analysis, policy development, and the never-ending quest to improve the quality of life for all citizens.” To become a criminologist, you must complete high school education; get a bachelor’s degree in criminology or related disciplines like sociology, psychology, or Criminal Justice; and then take a licensing exam if your criminology job requires one. You may also need to take master’s and Ph.D. degree programs in criminology to get criminology jobs. It takes four years to complete a Bachelor’s degree in criminology, one to two years to complete a master’s in criminology, and three to five years to complete a Ph.D. in criminology. Thus, it takes a minimum of four years to get a criminology degree and anywhere from five to ten years to become a more qualified criminologist. There are a variety of subjects you can take for criminology, some of which include criminal law, psychology or psychology of crime, forensics, political science, and sociology. Yes, having criminal law knowledge is necessary to become a criminologist. Criminology is the study of crime, its social impact, and how to alleviate it, while criminal justice deals more with the law-enforcement aspect of crime. Yes, you can take up criminology as art students so long as you take the required subjects. You don’t need to be a police officer to become a criminologist. However, you need to take an exam to get your license.
Conclusion
Criminologists are experts who study and evaluate the nature of several kinds of crime as well as the criminals who committed them. They do this with the purpose of understanding the motive for the crime, the trend of the crime, as well as how to prevent the next occurrence. Thus criminologists need some knowledge of sociology, psychology, and criminal justice, in addition to criminology, to be able to function well. So, to grow a criminologist career, you will have to get criminology or other related discipline degrees, get a job, and take continuing education courses in criminology sub-disciplines.
