Criminology Career: A Guide To Career Paths and Scope

What is Crime? A crime is an illegal act that is punishable by the government; an offence that merits community condemnation and punishment, usually by way of fines or imprisonment. Humans must have been criminals since the beginning of time, from robbing fruits or grains on a farm to masterminding large-scale international money heists. As crimes evolve so do the laws to keep up with them and so it has to keep updating itself constantly. So this is indeed a very interesting field.

Criminology is the study of crime and human criminal behaviour. It involves using psychology and sociology to understand the intention behind why people commit crimes and how crime can be reduced or prevented. Many careers in this field involve researching and analyzing data. Criminology jobs may include working at crime scenes or in laboratories. One trying to decide which degree one should choose has noticed that there are degrees in both criminology and criminal justice. While they may share some similarities, they are different degrees.

It focuses on developing the research and analytical skills of students by understanding criminal behaviour, solving crimes and preventing future ones. On the other hand, criminal justice degrees focus on the law enforcement system, including criminal law, criminal investigation and the justice system. Some colleges offer degrees that combine criminology and criminal justice.

Skills requirement to be a criminologist 

1. Legal proficiency: A criminologist must have an in-depth perspective on the judicial system’s local, national and state laws ensuring that all criminology-related tasks are in sync with the legal guidelines by keeping in mind the rights of the accused and the type of criminal case.

2. Communication skills: These skills are imperative to every criminologist because of the importance of working with different stakeholders, like criminals, accused parties, victims, lawyers, inspectors or other legal contributors writing research papers on case developments, undertaking new investigations and managing emotionally-heavy conversations, communication skills are essential. Often, criminologists interview criminals and communicate their findings for advanced research purposes.

3. Problem-solving skills: Analysing the findings and coming up with logical case outcomes becomes more manageable by maintaining a problem-solving approach Strong problem-solving and deduction skills can help expedite the judicial process, support investigations and ensure better support to victims.

4. Integrity and ethics: The ability to follow the law objectively with integrity and ethics is crucial for a criminologist as a criminologist forms opinions with no consideration of religion, race or gender.

5. Attention to detail: All criminologists must pay close attention to every second detail that reveals the truth of criminal cases being attentive to the most avoidable piece of information gets the criminologist involved in intricacies that reveal additional information about the relationship between the culprit and victim. Most importantly, this skill is best used during root cause analysis regarding the criminal’s instinct to perform such actions.

Advantages of pursuing criminology as a career

• Social contribution: As a criminologist, you positively impact society by solving crimes, ensuring rehabilitation and saving people from being victims of criminal activity. Moreover, you stay updated on how different emotions trigger dangerous thoughts and actions in criminals. Besides being a contributor to society’s peace and safety, you bring logic and scientific-based evidence to the justice system.

• Less career competition: Criminology is a niche field and does not attract many students. Since there is less competition, it is relatively easy to succeed. This makes it easier to grow as a criminologist, achieve success and develop expertise. Career progression can be rapid and extremely rewarding financially.

• Intellectual growth: Criminologists deal with a variety of cases ranging from homicide and fraud to money laundering. They interrogate suspects, search for logical reasoning and brainstorm case scenarios with their team. These experiences and interactions increase their intellectual capacity and understanding of how the human mind works.

• Stimulating job role: As a criminologist, you often have to work with challenging situations. The nature of the role also varies, including studying a crime scene, interrogating suspects, working with forensics and collecting evidence. All these processes can be very stimulating for individuals who seek exciting careers.

Educational Requirements 

Bachelor’s in Criminology

A bachelor’s degree in criminology prepares an individual for an entry-level position introducing crime and the criminal justice system, the psychological motivations behind criminal behaviour, and the research methods and related theories that you need to know to launch a career in criminology. The programs require at least 120 hours of coursework and take about four years to complete. Each program has its specific requirements. It may take more or less time, depending on your particular program and whether you study part-time or full-time.

Master’s in Criminology 

A master’s degree in criminology helps you expand your analytical assessment knowledge and build the leadership skills needed for advanced careers in the criminology field. Every program is different, so your requirements may vary. Most programs include 30 to 33 hours of coursework expecting to complete the degree in about one or two years, depending on whether you study part-time or full-time and what the program requires. You may find programs that are longer or shorter in duration.

Career Options 

Detective or Criminal Investigator

Detectives and criminal investigators gather evidence and facts as they investigate criminal cases. This may include interviewing witnesses and other parties, reviewing records, arresting perpetrators and participating in raids. Detectives and criminal investigators may investigate robberies, assaults, homicides, fraud or other serious crimes.

Police Officer

Police officers typically perform law enforcement duties, such as patrolling communities, ensuring civil order and safety, and responding to nonemergency and emergency calls. Some police officers specialise in specific areas, such as narcotics, special weapons and tactics (SWAT), motorcycle patrol, mounted (on horseback) patrol or other special units.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Agent

FBI agents work on criminal cases that involve violations of federal law. They typically investigate crimes that cross state lines or crimes against public or governmental agencies, such as Medicaid fraud. Some FBI agents handle investigations of certain types of state cases, such as financial crimes involving large sums of money or prescription drug offences.

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Professor

Criminal justice and law enforcement professors are postsecondary educators who teach criminal justice, law enforcement and related subjects. As postsecondary educators, these professors work with students at the college level. They typically work at community colleges or large universities. Postsecondary teachers create instructional plans, develop lessons, teach courses and assess students’ progress.

Future Prospects in Criminology 

The prospects for criminology are positive, as the field is constantly evolving to meet the needs of a changing society. Some of the key industry trends that are driving the demand for criminologists include:

1. Crime has become increasingly sophisticated, requiring criminologists with specialized knowledge to analyze and prevent it.
2. With the growing need to prevent crime, there is a growing emphasis on crime prevention, and criminologists are needed to develop and implement effective programs.
3. Criminologists are needed to research the causes of crime, the effectiveness of criminal justice policies, and other related topics.
4. Crime is becoming increasingly globalized, requiring criminologists with an understanding of international criminal trends.

As a result of these trends, the demand for criminologists is expected to grow in the coming years. Criminologists must have strong analytical, research, and communication skills to succeed in these career paths. They should also stay current on criminology, criminal justice policies, and emerging trends in criminal behaviour. Advanced degrees in criminology or a related field, such as a master’s or Ph.D., can open up more opportunities and allow individuals to specialise in their chosen area of interest within the field of criminology.