Whether you’re a fan of true crime documentaries or crime dramas, they might have inspired you to learn more about why crime occurs and how we can prevent it with a degree in criminology. Criminology refers to the study of crime as a social phenomenon and a social problem. Research is conducted in this field on the various aspects of crime and the impact that it has on society. On the other hand, criminal justice is a field where systems are established for detecting crime and prosecuting the perpetrators. The two fields work complementary to each other but with various approaches.

A degree in criminology can provide you with a range of fascinating and rewarding career opportunities. Careers in criminology can be both interesting and lucrative with generous salaries and benefits. Here are some of the best careers to get into with a criminology degree.

Criminologist

Perhaps the most obvious career choice after completing a criminology degree, this career will usually require that you earn a bachelor’s degree in criminology studies from a school like WLU Online, and specialises in a range of areas such as environmental criminology which takes a closer look at the areas and environments where the crime rates are higher. Criminologists work to make improvements to the functions and activities of the police with predictive and community-centred policing.

Law Enforcement

Many people get a degree in criminology because they are interested in working on the front line to fight crime and make a difference to the way that crime, perpetrators and victims are handled. You can get into a law enforcement career with a degree in criminology as the education surrounding crime as a social problem and why crime occurs will put you in an ideal position to work towards reducing this. As well as this, you will be providing education in your community to keep people away from the temptation of committing crime. There are several different career paths to choose from in the field of law enforcement including police officer, personal protection officer, detective, prison warden, federal agent and more.

 Forensic Psychologist

A career as a forensic psychologist is a very fascinating option that you may be able to get into when you have a degree in criminology. In addition to your bachelor’s degree in criminology, you may also be required to have psychology credits or go on to study a master’s or doctorate degree in psychology before working in this field. You can find some degree programs that offer the option to study both criminology and psychology together at the bachelor’s level. As a forensic psychologist, you will be responsible for studying the behaviour of criminals and the psychological traits of offenders to identify any patterns that might be able to provide you with an explanation as to why they are more likely to commit crime. Using this information, you will also be spending time working with law enforcement to study the impact of the various deterrents and techniques put in place to test if they are working as expected. As a forensic psychologist, you could be working in a range of settings including courts, police stations, prisons, hospitals and more.

Social Worker

Not all criminology career options are about working with criminals. Some people might be more interested in working to support victims after earning a degree in criminology, which you can do with a career as a social worker. Social workers often work with victims of crime and other vulnerable members of the public like the elderly or children. After getting a degree in criminology, a master’s degree or higher in social work will usually be required in order for you to get into this field. Social workers support individuals, families and groups through difficult times and are often the first port of call for people who have been the victim of crime. As a social worker, you will be there to support people getting back on with their lives after suffering at the hands of a criminal in any way.

Probation Officer

Working as a probation officer can be a very rewarding career choice for those with a criminology degree. In this role, you will be working to rehabilitate offenders and help them live a fulfilling life without crime either after being sentenced to probation due to a crime they committed, or after being released from prison. In either situation, probation officers often play a key part in a range of roles such as helping offenders find more meaningful work and offering advice on a range of topics from improving skills to managing money and bettering family relationships. If you are the type of person who enjoys helping others, can see yourself being instrumental in supporting people to turn their lives around and believe that everybody deserves a second chance, working as a probation officer could be an ideal career choice for you.

CSI

If you are interested in the forensic side of solving crimes, you may be interested in a career as a crime scene investigation (CSI) or scene or crime officer. Along with a criminology degree, you will usually be required to have a strong background in forensic science which you may be able to get with a combined major degree, additional classes or a forensic science master’s degree. Scene of crime officers are required to work on the scene of the crime itself where they will collect both photographic and forensic evidence to support the investigations. CSI officers will also often visit the scene of the crime and take the evidence to be forensically evaluated in a lab. However, bear in mind that this job is not for the faint of heart and you’ll often need to have a strong stomach to deal with it as you may often be working in crime scenes that can be difficult to deal with, such as murder scenes. This could be an ideal career choice for you if you enjoy solving things and have a keen eye for detail.

A degree in criminology can lead to a range of career options both working in research and on the front lines of fighting crime.