Key takeaways
- Jobs for criminology majors include criminal justice and law enforcement professors, forensic science technicians, correctional officers, loss prevention officers, police officers, detectives, etc.
- Criminology is a great field for adventurous, fearless, daring, and empathetic individuals.
- Skills required for a criminology job include effective communication, research, analysis, and writing.
- To become a successful criminologist, individuals must pursue a bachelor’s degree in criminology, gain professional work experience through internships, and apply to renowned companies.
- The University of Pennsylvania, Arizona State University, Florida State University, and George Mason University are famous colleges for criminology in the US.
- The University of Pennsylvania’s tuition fee is $85,738, whereas the University at Albany—SUNY’s yearly fee is $29,106. However, it can be reduced after receiving financial aid or a scholarship.
- Students in college analyze criminal activities through various lenses like anthropology, psychology, biology, and economics – helping them grow professionally and personally.
Criminology jobs are not for the weak. If you cannot handle agony, gruesome images, and the brutal truths of life – do not opt for criminology as a profession. However, if you possess the following characteristics, you can pursue jobs for criminology majors:
- Keep people safe and secure
- Don’t shy away from taking risks
- Possess effective communication and teamwork skills
- Have empathy
- You are fearless
Do you still think you can handle a career in criminology? If so, this blog is for you! Criminologists study and interpret crime and criminal activities to eradicate crime. The work is far from monotonous because of the unpredictable nature of crimes and techniques for solving criminal activities.
This blog will discuss the skills required for criminologists, provide in-depth details of criminology jobs, and discuss the perks of pursuing a profession in criminology. So, let’s begin!
What skills are required for jobs with a criminology degree?
Criminology majors comprehend criminological theories through various perspectives and ideologies, like statistics, psychology, biology, economics, and anthropology. They investigate and analyze aspects concerning crime, be it crime prevention techniques, traits of offenders, crime trends, rationale for crime, etc. helping them succeed in jobs for criminology majors.
However, there are certain qualities that employers seek from criminology graduates. Before you opt for a criminology degree and career, you must possess all or majority of the below characteristics:
In-depth research
Criminologists conduct qualitative and quantitative research to analyze crime scenes, compare and contrast between trends, discover solutions, and more. Hence, research plays a crucial role in a criminologist’s life. They gather data from law enforcement agencies and other professionals to create reports to spread awareness.
Moreover, criminology professionals must analyze sociological and psychological research to comprehend an offender’s thought process and behavior. This helps not just criminologists but also the public to understand the background of crimes. They upload their findings in books, journals, newspapers, etc. to enhance people’s knowledge.
Communication skills
With exceptional communication skills, you can have a successful career in criminology. There are several reasons behind that, for instance – criminologists conduct interviews with offenders, discuss their findings with stakeholders and relevant professionals, and examine solutions with law enforcement agencies and psychologists.
Therefore, it is integral for professionals to possess good communication skills, confidence, and empathy to deal with all kinds of people. For that reason, criminology majors must opt for courses in college regarding ethics, race, psychology, research, and ethnicity. For example, to understand an offender’s behavior during an investigation, criminologists must witness their body language alongside other aspects.
Analytical and writing skills
Crimes can occur due to several reasons. Hence, criminologists must be able to interpret and dissect details related to sociological, biological, and economic factors. To analyze crime scenes holistically, criminologists need remarkable analytical skills. This helps them pinpoint and extract relevant data from several resources to reach conclusions, arrest offenders, discover crime prevention techniques, etc.
Following the research and analysis process, criminologists must create detailed reports to share with relevant professionals, like law enforcement agencies, psychologists, police, etc. The findings must mention every crucial aspect to provide a detailed document. Hence, you must possess good writing skills to ensure an informative and comprehensive report.
What are the job options for criminology majors in the US?
If you earn a bachelor’s degree in criminology, you will have several criminology career options like detective, FBI agent, forensic science technician, and more. One thing for sure is that criminology jobs do not get boring because of the dynamic nature, encounters with offenders and professionals, and mind-boggling criminal cases!
For college planning, potential US career options in criminology, and their average annual salaries, read the list below:
Criminal justice and law enforcement professor
Yes, you read that right! You can become a criminal justice and law enforcement professor if you enjoy imparting knowledge and spreading awareness to young individuals. Criminology professors usually teach courses concerning criminal justice, ethnicity, ethics, violence, psychology, research methods, and other relevant concepts.
Furthermore, professors help students think holistically and critically for personal and professional growth. As a professor, you will be responsible for shaping their minds and preparing them for a career in criminology. Generally, they develop lesson plans, teach courses, give theoretical and practical assignments, grade papers, and assess students.
| Criminal justice and law enforcement professor | $64,600 |
Forensic science technician
The tasks of forensic science technicians are relevant to gathering and critically analyzing crime scene data either inside a lab or on-site. Forensic science technicians draw sketches, take photographs, and compile items utilized by offenders, fluids, fingerprints, etc.
Furthermore, they analyze crime-related data biologically and with the help of chemicals inside a laboratory, work alongside professionals, like toxicologists, and interpret ballistics info.
| Forensic science technician | $61,930 |
Correctional officer
People with effective communication skills become correctional officers. That is because they must communicate with people in jail or prison and individuals waiting for the case assessment. Also, they must ensure rules and regulations are followed by inmates in prisons or jails.
For example, correctional officers are responsible for preventing escapes, dealing with assaults and other issues, observing facilities and cells, etc. Moreover, sometimes they must provide assistance and guidance to inmates in areas like medical facilities and visiting rooms.
| Correctional officer | $47,920 |
Loss prevention officer
Loss prevention officers are responsible for preventing items from getting lost or damaged because of criminal activity. Their duties are utilizing surveillance material to monitor areas and shoplifters, managing complaints by responding to concerns, handling emergencies, etc. Also, loss prevention officers provide helpful suggestions to prevent inventory loss.
| Loss prevention officer | $33,000 |
Federal Bureau of Investigation agent
You must know about the responsibilities of FBI agents if you have watched shows like Quantico and Mindhunter. If you have not, let me enlighten you. FBI agents handle criminal cases concerning disobedience of federal law. They must analyze crimes concerning the government and public, for example, the Oklahoma City bombing. Mostly, crimes are regarding the state regarding finances or drugs.
| Federal Bureau of Investigation agent | $93,970 |
Police officer
Police officers are assigned tasks like patrolling areas, reacting to emergency calls and situations, and maintaining law and order in society. Their tasks may seem minute compared to federal crime scenes but they are more crucial than you think. Areas of specialization for police officers are special weapons and tactics (SWAT), drugs, patrolling, and special units.
| Police officer | $64,610 |
Criminal investigator or detective
The profession of a detective or criminal investigator is particularly intriguing if you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes. Students inclined towards gathering qualitative and quantitative research through interviews, assessing documents, partaking in incursions, and arresting offenders must look into this profession.
Plus, if you cannot handle the monotony of sitting in front of a PC for 8-9 hours, this job is for you! Criminal investigators research fraudulent activities, homicides, and other crimes by visiting crime scenes.
| Criminal investigator or detective | $83,640 |
Probation officer
Probation officers and law offenders work hand in hand on matters concerning legal custody, parole, or probation. Their tasks are mostly providing counseling sessions, and discussing, and analyzing situations with the parolees and probationers.
Furthermore, probation officers conduct drug tests for the assurance that their clients are not going against the probation requirements by consuming intoxicants. They are also responsible for testifying in favor of or against the probationer/parolee amid court proceedings, depending on their progress.
| Probation officer | $60,250 |
List of famous colleges for criminology in the US
Colleges for criminology in the US benefit students by helping them grow personally and professionally. Informative courses are taught by professors, enhancing critical thinking skills. Examples of courses include introduction to criminal justice, victimology, violence, introduction to law, and organized crime and money laundering.
Some renowned colleges to consider in the United States are mentioned below:
| College | Tuition fee |
| University of Pennsylvania | $85,738 |
| University of Maryland | $29,637 |
| Arizona State University | $31,127 |
| University of California—Irvine | $37,289 |
| University of Cincinnati | $30,166 |
| University at Albany—SUNY | $29,106 |
| Florida State University | $23,780 |
| Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey—Newark | $35,348 |
| Michigan State University | $30,990 |
| George Mason University | $31,303 |
What are the advantages of a career in criminology?
A career in criminology helps individuals interpret and analyze crime from several lenses like economics, biology, sociology, etc. As per the Pew Research Center, crime rates in the US have declined by 71% from 1993 to 2022. Hence, it is integral for students to remain updated concerning trends and stats.
The following aspects discuss the perks of a criminology career in detail:
Reduction in crimes
Working as a criminologist is equivalent to improving the conditions of society by eliminating crime. Criminologists create a positive and healthy environment by comprehending and analyzing crimes, making reports, and publishing their findings for the masses to read. This creates awareness and increased empathy rather than the spread of misinformation and bias.
Criminologists contribute to society’s safety by conducting research. Relevant information assists them with trends and patterns concerning mental health, biological and social relationships, and socioeconomic status, among other aspects. That way, they can work with suitable professionals like psychologists, law enforcement agencies, etc.
Several career opportunities
Earning a degree in criminology is a great idea because of the innumerable career options for criminology majors. Examples of jobs include FBI agents, police officers, probation officers, detectives, etc. In traditional and online undergraduate criminology programs, students have a range of courses like sociology of law, and forensic psychology – helping them decide which area they want to specialize in. Multiple options are beneficial because of lesser restrictions on students.
Additionally, criminologists encounter various kinds of situations. The unpredictable and dynamic nature of the job adds to the thrill and adventure. Criminology majors implement theoretical knowledge to real-life occurrences; hence, boredom is out of the question. Moreover, criminologists work with professionals from different fields – adding to the stimulating experience!
Holistic thinking
Criminology and criminal justice departments in colleges research the rationale for criminal activities. They conduct research and analysis through various lenses like sociology, anthropology, economics, law, biology, psychology, etc. For more info concerning sociology courses, research US sociology programs.
Moreover, students are encouraged to think outside the box with the help of courses like deviant behavior, comparative criminology and criminal justice, and religion and crime.
Analyzing concepts helps criminology majors become empathetic and socially aware. Critical thinking, problem-solving, and analytical skills are sharpened, hence students remain intellectually sharp.
Explore criminology jobs in the US for a personally and professionally rewarding career!
Opting for a criminology undergraduate degree is a choice you will not regret if you are intrigued by thrilling and adventurous jobs, helping people without expecting a reward, and broadening your perspectives. Jobs for criminology majors include detectives, FBI agents, police officers, etc. Also, the average criminology wage is $39.03 per hour!
Also, professionals are highly likely to succeed as criminologists if they possess research, writing, communication, and analytical skills. Do you want to create a positive impact in this world? If yes, apply to colleges for criminology in Alabama and other US states, e.g. University of Pennsylvania, University of Cincinnati, and Michigan State University.