Criminology is a behavioral science that examines criminals and their crimes and history of unjust and tries to find answers to why one becomes a criminal. However, criminology is situated to corruption and involves studying the effect on society and individuals and methods of preventing crime in a community. Therefore, anyone interested in the characteristics of crimes, reasons, and results of crime should opt for criminology. Because it is an undergraduate course, you need to enroll yourself in a criminology course. After getting a criminology degree, you have other available options than to become a criminologist. What jobs can you get with a criminology degree?
So let’s talk in detail about the different variety of jobs available to someone having a criminology degree.
Criminology degree Job you can apply to (proper Guide)
Let’s get one thing clear in the beginning. Having a criminology degree doesn’t automatically make you a criminologist. There are various options available for people having a degree in criminology. After getting a criminology degree, you can become:
- Private detectives.
- Crime investigators.
- Crime scene analyst.
- Crime laboratory analyst.
- F.B.I. agents.
- Forensic surgeon.
- Forensic engineer.
- Police officers.
- Lecturer/Teacher.
- Prison officer
People often do not explore other options related to a particular degree but follow the most popular one. But, first, one needs to decide what they want to work for. And, to help you with that, here are the details of each job you can do with your criminology degree.
Types of jobs one can do after getting a criminology degree.
Private detectives
Private detectives/investigators are individuals who work for corporations, individuals, firms, and other organizations. It is a legally respected profession one can start with their criminology degree. Some of the daily tasks of a Private detective include surveillance, observation, and report, collecting evidence and photographs.
To become a private investigator, you need to pass high school and get a diploma or undergraduate degree in criminology. After that, work with a private investigating agency to gain experience. After gaining experience, you can open your firm or work with a firm or agency. Initially, you can join the military or other government offices as well.
In terms of salary, there is no fixed amount that one receives each month; however, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), in 2018, private investigators/detectives earned salaries up to $50,090. One thing to be noted is that not everyone will make this much amount.
Crime investigators
Crime investigators are people who look after open-crime cases and assist the legal authorities such as courts and attorneys furnishing proofs and evidence. Crime investigators collect evidence, interview suspects and arrest them. It is a tough job that requires hard work and constant physical strength and stamina. Crime investigation is not a desk job. Instead, it tests your mental as well as physical capability. Late working hours and testifying in courts is a standard function of a crime investigator. In addition, they
However, it is not a piece of cake to become a criminal investigator. One needs to possess specific skills to ace the profession. To become a successful crime investigator, some of the necessary skills are communication skills, physical fitness, sound judgment, empathy, and ethical standards.
To become a criminal investigator, you do not necessarily require a degree in criminology, but having one would prove to be a beneficiary. As a criminal investigator, you will be indulging in work like examining crime scenes, interviewing victims, obtaining warrants to arrest criminals, testify in courts, etc.
Speaking about the pay that one receives after working as a criminal investigator is around $83,170 annually. Apart from that, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the top 10% of earners make $109,620 annually.
Crime scene analyst
Many people believe that Crime scene analysts and criminal investigators are the same jobs. However, that is not the case. A Crime scene analyst only analyzes a crime scene and only helps law enforcement authorities get evidence from crime scenes. They don’t investigate the case like a crime scene investigator. Apart from that, a Crime scene analyst has various equipment to gather evidence from crime scenes. They are casting kits, meter testing equipment, latent print kits, and electrostatic dust print lifters.
One of the critical skills required for this job is patience and knowledge of forensic and criminology. Apart from that, one has to be accurate with their findings and have controlled emotions.
So how do you become one? Well, one can get any particular degree in forensic or criminology. Many top universities provide criminology courses in their colleges. After getting the degree, one can start working in government offices with law enforcement officers to gain experience.
The salary structure of crime scene analysts not fix, and they can earn anywhere between $31,500 to $86,500 annually.
Crime laboratory analyst
Whenever there is a crime, all the evidence found in the crime scene take to a lab, where they check for fingerprints, hair, and pieces of clothes to create a chain of evidence. Crime laboratory analysts classify and identify the evidence found on the crime scene to help police and judicial authorities. They try to process the evidence to help police officers segregate relevant and irrelevant evidence. Within the Crime laboratory analyst category, there are different work done by various Crime laboratory analysts. Some of them specialize in specific areas of evidence identification. It can be ballistics, fingerprinting, handwriting, blood spatter analysis and tire impressions.
To become a reputed Crime laboratory analyst, one needs to have a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, criminology, criminal justice. After that, you can start working as an intern with labs working in crime analysis. Apart from a degree, you need to acquire skills like communication both orally and in writing, analytical thinking, detail-oriented, etc.
Talking about the pay, according to The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), there is no data on the salary for crime laboratory analysts. However, they do report that a median salary of $58,230.
FBI agents
FBI agents, also called special agents, are highly trained investigators with the authority to look into federal criminal law breaches. The task is to protect society, work for justice, and enforce the law in different areas like civil rights and public corruption. From computer hacking to wrongdoing, they are accountable for a wide range of crimes. The FBI is primarily responsible for an offense that takes place beyond state lines. Sometimes they are also told to work in specialized training, laboratory services, public services, and fingerprinting.
Applicants must have a four-year degree from an accredited college or university to be considered for employment as an FBI agent. After college, they must have at least three years of professional work experience. In addition, applicants must be willing to work anywhere within the FBI’s jurisdiction.
In comparison to other criminal justice and criminology jobs, FBI agents are well paid. During their tenure at the academy, agent trainees earn about $43,000. Depending on the field office they are assigned to, a new agent will earn between $61,000 and $69,000 per year upon graduation.
Forensic pathologists
A forensic pathologist is an expert who uses specialized expertise to determine the cause of a person’s death, damage, or wound. The forensic pathologist specializes in performing autopsies, checking for injury or poisoning, and evaluating historical and law-enforcement investigative information relating to the manner of death and collecting medical evidence, mainly trace evidence and secretions, drafting authentic documents of sexual assault, and reconstructing how a person received such injuries. A Forensic Pathologist’s profession entails a mixture of medical examination and investigation. After taking a relevant degree in this field, the candidate must experience working as an intern at a laboratory or medical examination center. With specific knowledge, the candidate can apply for the job role of forensic pathologist.
To become a forensic pathologist, the candidate must opt for science in high school. Then, you must hold a medical or similar degree from a recognized medical college, after which they can go for MD with a specialization in Pathology.
The profession is challenging and needs exceptional abilities and expertise, and, hence a forensic pathologist can anticipate a substantial remuneration. A forensic pathologist earns an average of Rs 10 lacs a year.
Forensic engineer
Forensic engineers are experts that can assess performance problems using engineering principles and concepts. A forensic engineer’s work description typically includes investigating why materials, technologies, and structures fail when they do. A forensics engineer is an important figure in product liability trials, plays a part in criminal proceedings, investigating and testifying about the cause of a product’s design.
A bachelor’s degree in engineering is required to work as a forensic engineer. You may also need a graduate degree in engineering, such as a Master’s or Ph.D., depending on your area of employment. To become licensed, you the last-minute permanently master’ essential; in addition, one pass both the practice of engineering (PE) and the fundamentals of engineering (FE) exams. The National Academy of Forensic Engineers offers forensic engineering board certification.
The typical forensic engineer income is $85,525, with $4,966 in bonuses and $5,500 in profit-sharing options. According to data from the closely linked civil engineering profession, civil engineers earn an average of $95,440 per year.
Police officers
A police officer performs various duties that include controlling traffic flow, enforcing traffic regulations, assisting unique crime prevention, and law enforcement programs. A career as a police officer is considered one of society’s most respected occupations. If you want to help people, becoming a police officer is the right career for you. Promoting and maintaining public order, investigating crimes, recognizing problems and circumstances that could lead to crimes, keeping law and order, and much more are significant responsibilities of a police officer. As a result, police officers are held in high regard in society and have one of the most rewarding careers in the public sector.
A good physique and a healthy body are required for candidates to become police officers. Varied classifications within the police department have different eligibility and recruitment processes. A written and physical test will be part of the recruitment process. Depending on the position, candidates must meet the required height and weight requirements. Will indicate the physical characteristics in the recruitment notices.
The salary of a police officer varies based on their skills. The average yearly salary of a police officer is $584,072. There are different posts and levels according to which the police officers pay—the senior officers who have a lot of experience pay more than the new police officers.
Lecturer/Teacher
A criminology lecturer is someone who conducts research and educates students in the field. The lecturer must give students a positive learning environment and encourage them to develop an inquisitive mentality. Since you must effortlessly communicate your thoughts and ideas in academic language, this field necessitates exceptional writing skills. They are both college professors as well as criminologists. Simultaneously they work in academia and law enforcement. A Criminology lecturer also writes new reports and researches about recent findings that law enforcement agencies can use to catch criminals.
A master’s degree in criminology is required to become a criminology lecturer, and for teaching at universities, a doctoral degree in criminology is needed. In addition, a bachelor’s degree in criminology or a similar discipline such as psychology or sociology requires.
Professors of criminology can earn an average of $70,426 per year. Top earners get up to $118,500 per year. If you want to make the highest criminology salary in the US, this is a fantastic field to pursue.
Prison officers
Prison officers supervise inmates, ensure their safety and security, and work to help them rehabilitate. They require a diverse set of abilities, as they interact with inmates daily and assist them in recovering and planning for the future. They observe all of their lawful interactions with other people to prevent any fraudulent activity against them. They have the authority to use force to avoid unjust that causes injury to other inmates or personnel. They can employ staff to prevent any escape from their captivity.
You must pass the recruitment procedure and finish the entry-level training program to become a prison officer. A selection panel interview, identity and reference checks, criminal history and integrity screening, and medical, psychological, and fitness examinations are all part of the selection process.
A Junior Prison Officer earns an average of 350,633 per year, depending on their experience, ranging from one year to five years. The average salary for a mid-level experienced prison officer is $598,180, and that for a senior employee is $715,225.
How to get a criminology degree?
A criminology degree always comes with other specialties. You can get a criminology degree either by admission in an undergrad school or masters in criminology and forensic science or another similar discipline. In addition, one can opt for criminology after graduating from law school.
To get admission into a criminology program you need to have good communication and analytical skills, attention to detail, persistence, and determination. These skills are very important apart from enrolling in an undergraduate program. You can get a criminology degree either by taking admission in an undergrad school or masters in criminology and forensic science or another similar discipline.
Which are good colleges to take criminology degrees?
There are plenty of colleges available in the US to get a degree in criminology. Here is the list of few Universities to which you can apply to:
- University of Maryland–College Park
- Arizona State University
- University of California–Irvine
- University of Cincinnati
- Florida State University
Always make sure to know the deadlines of the application process of these colleges to reserve a seat.
How much money does it take to get a criminology degree?
Different colleges offer different ranges of courses, and their fees vary. According to study.com criminology courses are between $28,658 to $57,770. Always check with the university you are applying to for an accurate course fee.
Conclusion
Getting a criminology degree is not that difficult if you are aware of the process and prepare beforehand. To make sure you get a spot, always mark the headlines and the fees for respective programs. A Criminology degree can be a promising one for all the people out there looking to make a career in it. Apply early to avoid a last-minute rush that will lead to mistakes or even rejection of the application.
Q. Do you become a criminologist after a degree in criminology?
No. You can choose other professions as well with a criminology degree like prison officer, investigator, prosecutor, etc.
Q. Is a criminology degree hard?
The degree requires immense concentration and understanding of different branches of crime, sociology, psychology, etc. But, if one focuses and studies hard, it won’t feel difficult.
Q. Is criminology an undergrad course?
No. You can enroll in postgraduate and Ph.D. programs also. Many colleges also offer combined courses and diploma courses as well.
