Key takeaways
- A criminologist’s job is to investigate crimes, find the root of issues, and keep society safe and secure by preventing crimes. A degree in criminology helps you with it!
- Students with a bachelor’s degree in criminology have several job opportunities in community planning, public administration, and law enforcement.
- The demand for a criminology degree rose after Cesare Lombroso, a teacher, found a relationship between mental weakness and criminals.
- Criminologists play an integral role in the modern world because they enhance policies and introduce relevant law enforcement techniques.
- The tasks of a criminologist are to analyze and collect data, make reports, discover crime prevention techniques, etc.
- High school students must earn a criminology degree, research work knowledge, professional exposure, and relevant certifications for success.
- Employees hire criminologists with skills like problem-solving, sense of ethics, research and analysis, detail-oriented, effective communication, and computer knowledge.
- Students have several options for a degree in criminology like the Northwest Missouri State University, Portland State University, and University of North Carolina Wilmington.
- Students with a criminology degree can become detectives, social workers, prison officers, etc.
- Colleges with an online criminology degree in the US are the University of Florida, Texas Tech University, and Arkansas State University.
Do you want to keep society safe and secure by preventing crimes? If so, an undergraduate degree in criminology will benefit you! Crimes are committed everywhere, though some places have more than others. A criminologist’s job is to investigate crimes and find the root of issues. Also, criminologists have several career opportunities like community planning, public administration, and law enforcement.
Colleges with a criminology degree delve into the psychological and sociological elements to study criminal activities. Several people who enjoy watching shows like Brooklyn Nine-Nine and Sherlock develop the urge to tackle crime. Even superhero movies, like Spiderman, instill interest in students to study criminology in universities.
In this blog post, we will discuss the basics of criminology, the importance of criminology in the modern world, the tasks and skills of a criminologist, and how to become a criminologist. So, let’s begin!
What is criminology?
Criminology, as the name suggests, revolves around crime and criminals. Before the late nineteenth century, pursuing a degree in criminology occurred in rare circumstances. However, the demand rose after Cesare Lombroso, a teacher, found a relation between mental weakness and criminals.
Because of Lombroso’s notions about criminology, professionals began conducting studies and experiments to study criminal behavior. Thanks to him, several ideologies have been introduced and altered the dimension of criminology. Now, criminology degree requirements include courses like youth crime and justice, criminal law in action, and comparative criminal justice.
In short, criminologists study crime from social and psychological perspectives. However, it is not just limited to that. Professionals also research the reasonings and effects of criminal activities on societies. They look into the motivations behind people committing crimes. Moreover, criminologists try to understand and analyze why some locations have greater criminal activities than others. If all of this seems intriguing to you, keep reading!
What is the relevance of a degree in criminology in the modern world?
Criminologists are aware of the complicated nature of crime; hence, they are integral to modern policing techniques. They help the law enforcement department deal with criminal behavior by making them understand the effects and causes.
Below are some of the commonplace factors concerning the significance of criminologists in the modern world:
Enhancement of policies
Just like humans keep evolving, our surroundings do too. Because of the dynamic nature of society, policies must alter accordingly regarding crime. With the help of criminologists, policymakers learn how to change policies according to the varying criminal and societal aspects.
For policy improvisation, criminologists do not just observe crime. They study criminal behavior in-depth and analyze whether the latest policies are relevant to the fast-paced nature of societal conditions. Opting for a bachelor’s degree in criminology assists students with research and analysis of crime.
Law enforcement techniques
However fun a criminologist’s job may sound, it is not convenient. Criminologists derive relevant data after rigorous research for policing techniques. The research process entails studying and analyzing criminal behavior. Following data gathering and analysis, they try to understand the latest trends concerning crime patterns and relevant crime locations.
Police departments utilize the research and findings by criminologists and accordingly use resources, like technology and labor, more effectively. Because of this, locations with more criminal activities are given a higher priority by the police, resulting in safer environments and better productivity.
Collaborative approach
In the modern sphere, collaboration plays a crucial role in determining the significance of the connection between the community and the police. Criminologists are connected to the public and law enforcement departments, ensuring the issues of the masses are heard, acknowledged, and dealt with.
They create a trustworthy and healthy environment for the public to share their concerns and inform the police about them. A collaborative approach like this helps both parties – the police and the public – promote public safety and a secure environment for all.
What are the tasks of a criminologist?
A degree in criminology assists students with studying and interpreting the reasons and impacts of criminal activities. They comprehend criminal behavior through various angles like forensic psychology, helping them analyze human thinking and behavioral patterns concerning crime. Forensic psychology combines law and psychology for research purposes to solve legal issues.
The following list highlights some of the major responsibilities of a criminologist:
Collection of data
For effective outcomes regarding policy enhancement, criminologists must collect and analyze information concerning the reasonings for criminal activities. This assists criminologists and other professionals in comprehending the nature of crime and the behavioral traits of criminals.
Furthermore, students learn to conduct research and dissect the psychological, biological, and social elements. The holistic way of interpreting crime helps criminologists understand the rationale for criminal activity. To learn more about it, check colleges with criminology degrees.
Analysis and reports
Criminologists must investigate criminal autopsies and scenes to analyze situations and determine the type of criminal profile. Offender profiling helps law enforcement interpret criminal behavior and spot possible criminals beforehand to reduce criminal activity. Moreover, they create reports containing qualitative and quantitative data to compare and contrast with previous and later criminal activities.
Crime prevention techniques
Lastly, experts in criminology support the justice and law enforcement system by helping them with crime prevention techniques and altering policies for the better. They refer to findings from research and analysis carried out previously, to create effective policies.
The research, analysis, and reports help criminologists and law enforcement professionals determine the effects of crime on society and how they can deal with them through solutions.
How to become a criminologist?
Students must learn and acquire skills relevant to criminology before getting involved in the field. They can become familiar with the criminal world with a bachelor’s degree in criminology. To become an independent criminologist, students must gain a few years of experience after the bachelor’s degree for maximum efficiency and expertise.
The below factors elaborate in detail about how to pursue a career in criminology:
A degree in criminology
Before anything, students must obtain a bachelor’s degree in criminology from a reputable college, like majoring in criminal justice. Several colleges in the USA offer criminology degrees like the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Florida, The Ohio State University, etc.
Also, students have several options for an online criminology degree like the University of North Carolina Wilmington, Maryville University of Saint Louis, and SUNY College of Technology at Canton. So, if you are a work student, a criminology degree online will benefit you!
Colleges with a criminology degree offer students courses concerning criminology like police and society, crime analysis, race and gender, etc. Students must opt for psychology and sociology courses to learn criminal behavior. Writing and research-related courses will also help them become an efficient criminologist.
Students in college learn how to research, conduct experiments, create reports, and compare findings with criminal trends and behavior. Additionally, they gain skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, interpersonal, and project management, resulting in successful careers.
Research experience
A major chunk of a criminologist’s job is to research and write articles; hence, it is crucial to polish these skills before entering the criminology field. Moreover, research experience gives students exposure to the criminology sphere. For instance, psychological research can help students understand human thinking patterns and behaviors. They can comprehend criminal activities better through research.
Professional exposure
Pursuing a bachelor’s degree in criminology is not enough. Students must intern as assistant professors for criminology or at places like Delaware county office, children’s advocacy center of Collin county, etc., Upon graduation, students can find work as jury consultants, probation officers, forensic scientists, and more. Experience can strengthen a criminologist’s resume, resulting in eventual practice on their own.
Certification
Students can obtain various kinds of certifications after gaining work experience. Forensic criminologists have several options forensic DNA, biological evidence screening, drug analysis, and foundational criminalistic knowledge.
Also, students can get certificates from national institutes before entering the criminology field. To polish their skills concerning criminal profiling, criminologists can become certified criminal profilers. Criminal profiling plays an integral role in a criminologist’s job. Many institutions offer this certificate such as McAfee Institute.
Which skills do students acquire with a degree in criminology?
Criminologists must possess relevant technical knowledge regarding the causes and effects of criminal activities. However, apart from knowledge, they must have skills. Students acquire various skills in college like problem-solving, communication, and research.
The list below expands on the required skills:
Problem-solving
Problem-solving and critical thinking skills are preferred by employers everywhere. They play an integral role in criminology jobs because criminologists must resolve complicated conflicts and issues, creating solutions concerning high crime rates and enhancing crime data collection procedures. Therefore, problem-solving assists criminologists with the creation of new and creative solutions.
Sense of ethics
Several colleges have courses on ethics, race, gender, etc. because they help students become understanding and empathizing. Sociology undergraduate programs focus on such skills. Criminologists receive all sorts of sensitive information; hence, they must be aware of ethical reasonings. Also, they must maintain clients’ confidentiality and handle the data with care.
Criminologists have to deal with info that can make or break lives. Therefore, courses in college and training at workplaces can teach students about ethics. Some designations, like prison officers, may require more knowledge about ethics, so students must research and ensure beforehand.
Research and analysis
Criminology as a field, is dynamic, meaning it’s perpetually altering with time. The ever-evolving nature of this domain requires constant research to stay updated about the latest crime trends. Hence, students must know which questions to ask criminals and how.
Colleges offer courses concerning research methods, like quantitative and qualitative, because criminologists must research and conduct studies regarding criminal activities. Analytical and inquisitive personalities are likely to excel in this field. Are you one? If so, pursue a degree in criminology!
Detail-oriented
Paying attention to the minutest of details plays a significant role in criminology. Criminologists must gather and understand information concerning criminal behavior and crime. Maintaining focus levels is crucial as it will result in a detailed analysis and report.
Furthermore, scrutinizing human behavior is also important because criminologists must observe autopsies and crime scenes to understand the reasonings for criminal activities. Therefore, students with an eye for detail have higher chances to create in-depth reports.
Effective communication skills
Criminologists must possess effective communication skills to get their word across efficiently. A degree in criminology instills written and oral skills within students through presentations and essays. Communication skills are significant for criminologists because they must collect, analyze, and share data with relevant professionals. Moreover, communication skills are integral for presentations, reports, teamwork, etc.
Computer skills
Before entering the criminology domain, students must possess computer literacy. Utilization of software is commonplace for criminology, like predictive crime analytics software. Though software usage varies from work to work, usually it is relevant to research, analyze, and gather info because there are copious amounts of data. To enhance computer skills, students can opt for computing courses in college.
Interest in learning
Students of criminology must possess knowledge about other aspects. For instance, criminology majors must learn about the criminal justice system because it is linked to criminology. However, do not worry. Courses in colleges teach students relevant info about criminology and related topics like criminal law, legal terminology, and the structures of courts.
Moreover, if your interests lie elsewhere, you can always choose an elective concerning the topic, like the human psyche or social behaviors. No matter the topic, students must want to learn new information for knowledge enhancement.
Become a criminologist by earning a degree in criminology!
To conclude, criminologists play a crucial role in understanding, analyzing, and discovering solutions concerning criminal activities. If your interest has been piqued after reading this blog, start checking colleges for criminology. Students have several options for a degree in criminology like the Northwest Missouri State University, Portland State University, and University of North Carolina Wilmington.
Furthermore, work students can consider opting for a criminology degree online. Options within the USA include the University of Florida, Texas Tech University, and Arkansas State University.
Because of rising crime rates, several students are opting for a degree in criminology. Also, there are endless opportunities for criminology majors like detectives, social workers, prison officers, etc. Do you want to become one? If so, join a college with a criminology degree now!