Criminology

What is Criminology

Criminology is an area of specialization within the criminal justice field. It involves the research, study and analysis of all social and psychological conditions related to crime. Criminology focuses both on protecting the community from crime and rehabilitating offenders so that they can reenter society successfully. It is considered a forensic science and combines the fields of:
  • general forensic science
  • justice administration
  • law enforcement
  • police services.

Preparing for Criminology Careers

Criminology education generally involves a combination of schooling to earn a criminology degree and hands-on experience such as an internship or work-study program. For most criminology jobs, you will need at least a bachelor's degree in criminology. To further your job opportunities or to enter the research and teaching branches of this field, a criminology master's degree is extremely helpful. Criminologists working in universities usually have completed a PhD.

Criminology Schools and Coursework

Many excellent accredited colleges and universities offer criminology degrees. You can choose to study either on campus or online. Online degrees are identical to the degrees you earn on campus and bring you the same respect and recognition. Studying online gives you the chance to pursue a degree during your free time while keeping your current job. Whichever option you choose, your studies will allow you to experience some very exciting and thought-provoking coursework. Your classes may include:
  • Alcohol, Drugs and Criminality
  • Administration of Justice
  • Cognitive Criminology
  • Crime and Violence in America
  • Crime, Criminology and Justice
  • Criminal Law
  • Criminology Theories
  • Directed Policing
  • Professionalism in Criminal Justice
  • Psychology of Crime
  • Research Methods in Criminal Justice
  • Statistical and Computer Applications in Criminal Justice.

Completing a bachelor's degree in criminology will take four years if you study full-time. Most criminology master's degree programs can be completed in an additional two years of full-time study. To earn a PhD in criminology requires another three to four years of education. During the course of a criminology education, students gain important skills such as:

  • determining punishments for criminal acts
  • developing ideas to reduce crime
  • developing scientific methods for detecting and resolving crimes
  • drawing from history and crime theories during investigations
  • making inferences and drawing conclusions about a crime
  • understanding and studying clues and fingerprints
  • working with crime labs.

Criminology Careers

Criminology is a broad and varied field with many different opportunities. Criminology jobs can be found in education, government and the private sector. Criminologists can also be self-employed in private consulting practices. Some possible jobs in criminology include:
  • community corrections coordinator
  • consumer advocate
  • crime intelligence analyst
  • criminologist consultant
  • criminology professor
  • drug policy advisor
  • environmental protection analyst
  • law reform researcher
  • police officer
  • regional crime prevention coordinator.

Job Outlook and Salary in Criminology

Criminology is an expanding field, and job growth is expected to keep up with the average for all occupations through 2014. The current median salary for criminologists is $45,781. Here are some average salaries for common criminology positions:
  • criminology assistant professor: $ 45,600
  • criminology associate professor: $53,300
  • criminology instructor: $34,700
  • criminology lecturer: $38,100
  • criminology professor: $76,200
  • detectives and criminal investigators: $53,900.

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