What Can You Do with a Criminology Degree?

Criminology is a broad field including roles like probation officers, law enforcement officers, detectives, teachers, clinical social workers, private criminal investigators, and jury consultants. There are a few different pathways to enter this field, including associate or bachelor’s criminal justice degrees from accredited universities.

You can advance your job training by getting your Master’s Degree in Criminology. This guide will highlight jobs for criminology majors and the annual wage for each of these professions. It also outlines the top universities and colleges to consider for pursuing one of these criminal justice careers.

What Is a Criminology Major?

Criminology focuses on the study of crime, as the name implies, and the impact of criminal behavior on society. It also covers some of the primary reasons why individuals may commit a particular crime. Criminology doesn’t involve apprehending and sentencing criminals, but is more interested in psychology and rehabilitation. Criminal justice majors are similar but focus more heavily on law enforcement. 

Criminology also examines crime locations, rates, and regional policies that impact crime rates within a community. The field of criminology covers everything concerning criminal activities, criminals, and victims of crimes. Criminology is a subset of psychology, so experts in this field need to understand human behavior and mental health.

How to Become a Criminologist: Criminology Education Options 

There are various educational paths you can follow if you’re interested in criminology. The discipline is specialized, so you cannot learn the specialized skills needed for a career in criminology at a trade school. Instead, you must attend a college or university for a relevant associate degree, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree. 

Criminology Associate Degree 

Most criminology associate degrees require around 60 to 65 credits, which full-time students can typically complete in two years. There is also an option to use the credit earned from the associate degree to pursue a bachelor’s degree at a university.  

An associate degree program is ideal for people who want to pursue a career in criminology without dedicating four years to get the degree. With an associate degree in criminology, you can get entry-level roles and progress quickly through your career path. Students in the program learn to analyze the causes of crime to implement suitable crime reduction initiatives and policies.

Best Associate Degree Programs in Criminology

• Associate of Arts in Criminology – Central New Mexico Community College
• Associate of Science in Criminal Justice – LeTourneau University
• Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice – Upper Iowa University
• Associate of Applied Science in Criminology – Arkansas Northeastern College
• Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice and Criminology – Ball State University

Criminology Bachelor’s Degree

Criminology bachelor’s degrees usually require 120 credits to complete and full-time students typically finish the undergraduate degree in about four years. A criminology college degree prepares students to apply criminal and psychological theories to learn about aspects of crime. 

The degree often leads to careers in criminal investigation, law enforcement, government, public affairs, and community services. Many criminology graduates also work in legal offices, courts, police, probation, and correction offices. The program teaches the study of crime as well as its effects and causes. This discipline is similar to other disciplines like anthropology, psychology, and political science.

Best Bachelor’s Degree Programs in Criminology

• Bachelor of Arts in Criminology – University of South Florida
• Bachelor of Arts in Criminology – University of Wisconsin Whitewater
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – LeTourneau University
• Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice – Missouri State University
• Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice – Arizona State University

Criminology Master’s Degree 

Students who attend a master’s degree program in criminology must complete around 60 credit hours and full-time students usually complete the program in about two years. This program allows students to take on more advanced positions and management-level roles in emergency response and law enforcement. 

Students build critical thinking skills tailored to their specific career goals during this program while gaining professional experience. A master’s degree allows students to take up optional coursework in different subjects covering corporate crime, neighborhoods and crime, hate crimes, probation and parole, forensics, global terrorism, law enforcement, and criminal profiling. 

Best Master’s Degree Programs in Criminology

• Master of Science in Criminology – University of Pennsylvania
• Master of Science in Criminology – Florida State University
• Master of Arts in Criminology – University of Maryland – College Park
• Master of Arts in Criminal Justice – State University of New York – University at Albany
• Master of Science in Criminal Justice – University of Southern California

Criminology Career Overview: Is a Criminology Career Worth It?

Criminology Job Outlook

Criminologists are categorized under forensics science technicians by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Fortunately, the job opportunities for the criminal justice field are considerably higher than most other professional fields. According to the BLS, the employment rate is expected to grow by 16 percent between 2020 and 2030.   

The field is projected to create 2,500 more openings each year for the decade. The increased demand is expected to originate from replacing workers that exit or transfer from the field.

Criminology Salaries

According to BLS, in May 2020, forensic science professionals had a median annual wage of $60,590. However, some specific fields earn more than others and have a higher potential for increase. Your salary will also depend on the professional organization or criminal justice agency you work for.

Best Jobs for Criminology Majors: What Can You Do with a Criminology Degree?

With a degree in criminology, you have a lot of rewarding career options to pursue. Professionals can work in different environments such as prisons, police stations, courtrooms, universities, and federal government agencies. Here are some of the best jobs for each degree level and recommended schools to narrow your search.

Best Jobs for Criminology Associate Degree Majors

Jury Consultant

• Average Salary: $58,890
• Job Outlook: 16%

Jury consultants mainly appoint jurors for different court cases. Their role involves researching the background of potential jurors and interviewing them to ensure that they will not be biased when they need to reach a verdict. A criminology degree makes studying people and determining their suitability as jurors for different criminal cases easier. 

Probation Officer

• Average Salary: $51,139 
• Job Outlook: 16%

Probation officers may be responsible for assisting former prison inmates who have been released and are entering society again. They recommend rehabilitation plans and counseling services, contact the court if the individual breaks their parole, and meets the probationers to determine their progress. A criminal justice degree makes it easier to communicate with probationers and develop effective treatment plans.

Loss Prevention Officer

• Average Salary: $28,660
• Job Outlook: 16%

These experts act as security guards by preventing theft at retail businesses. The role prioritizes physical fitness, including patrolling the premises to deter and detain shoplifters and stop illegal activities. With this degree, they can work with high-end businesses and companies and use the principles of criminology to prevent theft and ensure customer safety.

Correctional Officer

• Average Salary: $35,724
• Job Outlook: 16%

Correctional officers enforce rules and regulations in prison. Their job involves interacting with prisoners daily and resolving conflicts. They also supervise their activities and keep peace among the correctional facility’s inmates. A criminology degree gives corrections officers the communication skills to understand inmates and make it easier to influence their rehabilitation.

Private Investigator

• Average Salary: $45,539
• Job Outlook: 16%

Private investigators are hired to investigate specific crimes and ensure private security for individuals. In most cases, these experts work alone in private sectors and use resources at their disposal to solve crimes. The degree legitimizes these private criminal investigators in the eyes of their clients and provides them with the problem-solving skills needed to conduct investigations effectively. 

Best Jobs for Criminology Bachelor’s Degree Majors

Forensic Psychologist

• Average Salary: $105,116
• Job Outlook: 16%

Forensic psychologists are responsible for interviewing suspects and other convicted criminals to understand the motive behind their crimes. Experts in this field understand human psychology and use it to determine if suspects have a mental illness or are fit enough to go on the stand.

Forensic Scientist

• Average Salary: $61,422
• Job Outlook: 16%

Forensic scientists are responsible for studying crime scenes and physical evidence. They work with police officers to catch criminals and analyze evidence to identify a suspect in a case. Forensic scientists often test DNA samples from the crime scene to provide police with more information. With a degree in criminology, experts can interpret evidence accurately.

Clinical Social Worker

• Average Salary: $72,809
• Job Outlook: 16%

Clinical social workers work with individuals struggling with addiction, unemployed persons, domestic abuse victims, and similar cases. They work with parole officers, police officers, and other law enforcement agencies while carrying out their duties. The criminology field is a part of sociology and this degree allows experts to understand people’s behavior and understand how to help them.

Criminal Profiler

• Average Salary: $51,855
• Job Outlook: 16%

Criminal profilers are responsible for predicting and anticipating the movements of serial perpetrators. They use an in-depth understanding of psychology and criminology to do this. The experts study criminals and analyze potential behaviors that help them to track down and apprehend guilty suspects. 

Police Detective

• Average Salary: $46,119
• Job Outlook: 7%

Police detectives solve crimes, keep the peace, and apprehend criminals in their community. Daily tasks for these law enforcement officers may include responding to emergency calls and settling minor disputes. They can operate as criminal investigators for federal government agencies and criminal justice agencies. 

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Best Jobs for Criminology Master’s Degree Majors

Lawyer

• Average Salary: $80,743
• Job Outlook: 9%

While a criminology degree is not enough to make you a lawyer, a master’s degree in criminology can come in handy for your law career. Lawyers need to attend law school and pass the bar exam to practice law. A master’s in criminology is recommended if you want to specialize in criminal cases as it allows you to analyze crime from a sociologist’s point of view to pursue justice

Detective

• Average Salary: $39,455
• Job Outlook: 7% 

Detectives handle complex investigations such as domestic abuse, assault, fraud, robbery, burglary, and murder. Whether they’re a private detective or working at a police station, they are responsible for analyzing evidence, uncovering the truth behind different crimes, and talking to witnesses. 

Probation Officer

• Average Salary: $43,180
• Job Outlook: 7%

Probation officers are responsible for working with sentenced offenders in collaboration with other law enforcement officials. They supervise offenders, interview them and witnesses, and prepare court reports. They also work with social services to help offenders effectively acclimate back into society. 

Forensic Science Technician

• Average Salary: $61,422
• Job Outlook: 16% 

Forensic science technicians prepare the evidence used in court. While the tasks for these experts may differ, most include analyzing tissue and fluid samples, viewing crime scenes, DNA profiling, blood grouping, and organizing evidence. In some cases, forensic science technicians may need to testify in court to confirm the legitimacy of their findings. 

Criminologist

• Average Salary: $51,826
• Job Outlook: 16% 

Criminologists are responsible for analyzing data to determine if a suspect committed the crime and identify patterns to prevent such crimes in the future. They understand criminal behavior and the reaction of society to crime and use it to find specific patterns. An advanced degree in criminology may offer communication and research, statistics and computer science, and math skills.

Three Final Tips to Get a Job in Criminology

1. Internships. Internships come in handy for recent college grads and students. They allow individuals to gain practical skills and understand their expected roles before officially entering the workforce. 
2. Networking. Networking is also quite important, so join professional organizations and associations and volunteer at organizations related to the criminal justice system. It is an excellent way to meet potential employers while gaining valuable knowledge. 
3. Consider graduate school. Getting a graduate degree will help you to increase your chances of receiving high-paying career opportunities. It also lets you meet other criminal justice professionals and work directly in the criminal justice field as teaching assistants, researchers, and interns. 

Ensure that you showcase your problem-solving and analytical skills through a professional portfolio. An excellent way to build your portfolio will be to conduct research on crimes in your local area, study famous criminology cases, and stay up to date on the news within the criminal justice field. If you find any new information to help law enforcement, it can attract employers to hire you.