Key takeaways
- How long does it take to become a criminologist? There are multiple answers to that question.
- There are multiple degrees in criminology that you can pursue, each with a different duration.
- An associate’s degree is the shortest college degree in criminology, lasting 2 years.
- At the undergraduate level, a bachelor’s degree offers a more comprehensive learning scope and opens a wider range of job opportunities for graduates.
- Pursuing an advanced degree, such as a master’s and a PhD, can significantly enhance earning potential and provide more job stability.
- You can also pursue an online criminology degree where you benefit from the ability to control your learning pace.
Criminals make for an interesting case study. To the regular human mind, comprehending what motivates another human to commit acts of violence is next to impossible. It is hard to understand the motivating factors behind criminal acts and behavior, which is where criminology comes into play. We can only take the steps needed to prevent crime when we understand why a criminal does what they do.
If you want to make a positive impact in society by focusing on prevention for the reduction of crime in society, criminology is the field for you. In this guide, we discuss criminologist education requirements as well as how long it takes to become a criminologist. But before that, let’s discuss what criminology actually is.
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What is criminology?
To define criminology it is the study of crime and criminal behavior. However, it is more than that, as it also focuses on identifying factors that may or may not have contributed to the development of criminal behavior. This includes an individual’s socio-economic conditions, relationship with peers, family members, specifically parents, and so on.
Moreover, criminology takes into account a criminal’s past experiences. For example, victims of regular physical abuse may develop a higher tolerance and insensitivity to pain. However, this is just a hypothetical example, and how an individual reacts to different situations depends on a lot of factors. It is the job of a criminologist to uncover and identify factors that push a criminal to commit acts of crime.
Related: Why study criminology?
What does a criminologist do?
A criminologist studies crime and criminal behavior to better understand what factors contribute to the development of criminal instincts and behavior. Is it something criminals are born with? Are some individuals more inclined toward criminal behavior than others? Are there specific factors and conditions that increase the chances of one developing criminal behavior?
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Criminologists conduct extensive research, interviews, studies, and more to determine the answers to the above-mentioned questions. Their goal is to identify contributing factors to develop strategies and policies to prevent criminal activities in a society. Moreover, their research and findings enable the identification of youth and individuals more likely to engage in criminal activities.
The findings of the research conducted by criminologists are also used in youth centers, schools, by community service centers, and by social workers to identify and help at-risk individuals. In fact, criminologists might also volunteer to work in youth detention centers and juvie to help young offenders recognize they are on the wrong path and help them embark on the right path.
Here are additional responsibilities criminologists undertake in the workplace:
- Study criminal behavior
- Determine the contributing factors to the development of criminal habits
- Conduct extensive research on crime and criminal behavior
- Develop theories offering insights into the criminal mind
- Data analysis to find patterns
- Devise strategies that can help prevent individuals from going down the path of crime.
- Collaborate with law enforcement professionals and agencies on cases, for criminal profiling, and more.
How to become a criminologist?
If you want to make a positive, long-lasting impact on society, criminology is the ideal field for you. Here, you get to engage in research and practical work that will not only prove beneficial in the short term but also for extended periods. Future criminologists, criminal psychologists, forensic psychologists, and law enforcement professionals can use your research to make informed decisions. They can also build upon your research to provide additional insights into the development of criminals.
To join the field of criminology, you need proper educational qualifications. The ideal criminologist education requirements are possession of a bachelor’s degree in criminology. Through the program, you will learn psychological theories, legal aspects, rehabilitation, and corrective treatment options for dealing with an incarcerated criminal.
While a criminology degree is the ideal education path for you to become a criminologist, it is not the only degree option. Alternate programs that you can explore include:
- Bachelor’s degree in criminal justice
- Bachelor of science in criminal psychology
- Bachelor of science in forensic psychology
- Bachelor’s degree in sociology
All of these programs are interlinked and offer insights into the criminal justice system and legal proceedings. However, if you choose a criminal justice degree or a criminal justice administration program, you need to choose criminology as a major to meet the criminologist requirements.
Besides getting an education in the field, you also need relevant work experience to qualify as a professional in criminology. With a bachelor’s degree, you can easily secure entry-level positions in the field and get professional work experience to build your resume. However, if you want to become a criminologist and obtain senior-level positions or lead research in the field, a master’s degree in criminology is the ideal qualification, and a PhD can prove even more beneficial.
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How long does it take to get a criminology degree?
There are different degrees you can pursue at both the undergraduate and the advanced levels. Each program has a different duration, meaning the question ‘how long does it take to get a criminology degree’ has no set answer. Moreover, some colleges and universities allow students to opt for an accelerated program. Through the accelerated program, they can complete a program in less time than it would usually take.
So if you are thinking of studying criminology, how many years it takes for you to finish your education widely depends on the program, your learning pace, and the flexibility the college or university offers. But to give you an idea of how long is a criminology degree, we mention the program details and durations of the types of criminology degrees below.
Undergraduate level
At the undergraduate level, you can either pursue an associate’s degree in criminology or a bachelor’s degree. Additionally, you can pursue either of these programs both online and on campus. The mode of learning also significantly impacts the learning timeline.
Associate’s degree in criminology
2 year community colleges and even some 4-year colleges and universities offer an associate’s degree in criminology. The program’s duration is 2 years, and through it, you can develop strong knowledge of criminology principles and theories. Moreover, you can develop foundational skills in the field, allowing you to secure some positions.
You can also pursue the program online and complete the curriculum in around 1 to 1.5 years, depending on your learning pace. Additionally, if you enroll in a part-time program, the overall program duration can increase substantially. In some cases, it may even take up to four years, twice as long, to complete the program.
Bachelor’s degree in criminology
A bachelor’s degree is a more comprehensive undergraduate-level program lasting four years if pursued as a traditional on-campus degree. If you choose to opt for an online criminology bachelor’s, you can complete the program in around half the time, as you will be in charge of your learning schedule. However, do keep in mind that this liberty is available only to students enrolled in an asynchronous program.
Advanced criminology degrees
If you want to further your skill set and ensure career growth, an advanced degree is essential. According to Education Pays, professionals with an advanced degree earn a higher average annual salary and enjoy greater job stability, lower unemployment levels, and other additional perks.
Master’s degree in criminology
A master’s program in criminology can last between 1 to 5 years. There is no set duration for this program, and the exact timeline depends on the college of choice, faculty, and curriculum. You can also opt for an accelerated master’s program, or an accelerated bachelor’s to master’s program, which allows you to complete both degrees in less time than it would normally take. Even pursuing an online master’s degree can significantly shorten the time it takes to complete the program.
PhD in criminology
Obtaining a doctoral degree in criminology is ideal for those who want to pursue research in the field. A PhD program lasts anywhere between 3 to 5 years. However, if you are unable to complete the program in said duration, you can secure an extension as needed of up to a maximum of 8 years.
You may also be interested in: FAQs about a criminology major
What do you need to become a criminologist?
A criminologist’s requirements are lengthy, given the nature of the job. You will not only need to meet a criminologist’s education requirements, but also have the necessary skills needed to excel in the field. So, if you are an aspiring criminologist, here’s the answer to what do you need to become a criminologist.
- A bachelor’s degree in criminology or a related field, for example, sociology, psychology, or forensic psychology.
- Skills such as:
- Critical thinking
- Analytical thinking
- Data analysis
- Research
- Report writing
- Verbal and non-verbal communication
- Relevant work experience – a degree alone will only get you entry-level, supportive roles. Try to gain as much work experience as possible through volunteer work, part-time roles, and internships in relevant organizations.
- An advanced degree, such as a master’s or a doctoral degree in criminology. A specialized degree can help you get better job opportunities.
Become a criminologist today – it doesn’t take long!
For those wondering how long does it take to study criminology, the answer is mentioned in detail above. Different programs have different durations. The shortest program you can pursue in criminology is an associate’s degree, which, if you choose to pursue online, becomes even shorter. However, even with a degree, how long does it take to become a criminologist depends largely on your capabilities, access to work opportunities, and skill set.
If you want to study crime and criminal behavior and make it a profession, then do so the right way. Opt for a bachelor’s degree in criminology. Through the program, you can develop an extensive skill set and gain the knowledge needed to excel in the field of criminology.