Becoming A Criminologist

Criminology, an interdisciplinary field, is a subset of sociology. Criminologists study and analyze the causes of crime, criminal behavior, crime prevention, and a victim’s or society’s response to crime, based on social, psychological, and biographical factors.

Combining psychology, sociology and criminal justice, criminologists use their understanding of human behavior to assist law enforcement in identifying, predicting, and preventing criminal acts.  The field has had a notable impact on the criminal justice system and has produced findings that have shaped how law enforcement engage criminals and approach crime.  Criminologists must be prepared to meet explicit requirements, and a bachelor’s or master’s degree is required to work in this field, and licensure is required in some states.

The US Bureau of Labor Statistics does not list information specifically geared to the field of criminology but does offer statistics related to careers in sociology.  Sociologists can expect to see 4% job growth between 2019 and 2029.  This is due in part because of increased competition for relatively few jobs. Attaining important qualities such as communication and writing skills, critical thinking skills, and analytical expertise, plus charting a course of study for their undergraduate degree and pursuing criminology (or closely-related field) for their graduate degree can greatly increase an individual’s chances of attaining employment in this field.

Prospective criminologists can also benefit from possessing a specific skillset that allows them to perform their duties in a professional manner. For example, criminologists must:

• Be observant and objective
• Possess a high-level of integrity
• Have superior analytical and research skills
• Have an aptitude for statistics, math, and computer science
• Have a deep concern and mindfulness of human nature and behavioral patterns

Criminologist Duties

Criminology draws on several areas and subdivisions, including psychiatry, statistics, economics, anthropology, and biology, as well as bio-criminology, forensic science, and penology. Because criminology covers such a wide range of fields, criminologists can choose a number of career paths with differing duties, including:

Research is also a major part of the criminologist job.  They focus on family life, behavior, mental state, education, social status, and other aspects in the lives of criminals to determine motivation.  They study data about crimes, convictions, and arrests to determine similarities, and research ways to predict, deter and prevent future crime.  Criminologists cultivate theories on why people commit crimes and assists in crime scene investigations.  The data accumulated enables criminologists to help law enforcement apprehend criminals and assess their motives, as well as determine if biological or psychological factors constituted their crime.

Career Path

Step 1 :  Meet the Requirements

Because criminologists work with a wide range of people in many different settings, performing countless job duties, all criminologists must:

• Graduate from high school or earn a GED
• Earn a degree from an accredited college or university
• Pass a criminal background investigation
• Gain on-the-job training through internships or volunteering while in school

STEP 2: Earn a Degree(S)

The first step to become a criminologist is to earn a bachelor’s degree. There are a number of accredited universities that offer undergraduate degrees in criminology. However, it’s not uncommon that many prospective criminologists will pursue broader areas of study, including psychology, sociology, political science, criminal justice, or forensic science (just to name a few) for their undergraduate degree, and focus on criminology for their graduate degree.

Undergraduate programs in criminology lay the foundation for the understanding of crime and the administration of justice. Classes are far-reaching, but will typically include coursework in law and criminal justice, sociology of conflict, biosocial criminology, developmental psychology, history, and comparative law.  Students studying a related area of criminology should also complete undergraduate work in statistics for social sciences, criminal and abnormal psychology, and forensics.

Some undergraduate criminology students will choose to enter law school or pursue careers in policing, corrections, and social work. Although entry-level employment at the bachelor’s degree level does exist, it is typical for employers to require a graduate degree in criminology, or a very closely-related field, such as behavioral science, sociology, psychology, or criminal justice.

Students must take advantage of all internships available at all levels of education. Internships are vital to a professional’s resume, offer real-world on-the-job experience, and offer students the opportunity to explore different career options within the scope of criminology. Internships also enhance personal development, may improve starting wages, and provide the opportunity to make valuable contacts.

Even at the undergraduate level, some universities offer degrees with a specific focus or area of specialization. The same is true for many online schools. Students who are certain of the specific area in the field of criminal justice they wish to pursue can specialize to ensure their coursework is relevant to their future occupation.

To determine whether or not a master’s degree in criminology is best, bachelor degree graduates must find a criminal justice career that’s best for them and set career goals. However, to work as a criminologist, students must earn a master’s degree. A master’s degree is also required to work as a forensic psychologist, criminal profiler, post-secondary professor, in upper management and administration, or if working for the government as a legislative staffer.

Graduate coursework should include studies in genetics, biochemistry, biology, and population statistics, and advanced study in criminology, psychology, law, sociology, computer science, logic, and systems analysis. Some criminologists with a master’s degree in criminology work in private business as consultants or as advisors to government agencies or policymakers who enact policies or legislation regarding the field of criminology.

Graduates who make the decision to advance their studies and earn a PhD in criminology commonly focus on law and justice, law and society, and sociology. A PhD is also required for individuals who wish to teach at the university level or perform research.  Professionals must understand the latest developments in juvenile justice, corrections, criminal psychology, drug addition, victimology, and more.

At the PhD level, students can choose to further their area of specialization within the field of criminology. Specializations offer a better idea of the various areas of emphasis and serve as a guide to create a curriculum beyond core courses.  A few of the many areas of specialization include:

• Criminal Justice Administration
• Globalization and Crime Justice
• Ideology and Criminal Justice
• Environmental Crime and Justice
• Race, Gender and Justice
• Qualitative Methods
• Criminal Justice Data Analysis
• and more

Many criminologists who hold a PhD publish their own research in the field of criminology, which helps establish them as experts in the field.  There are a number of professional journals, including The Journal of Criminal Justice, Journal of Quantitative Criminology, Criminal Justice and Behavior, Crime and Delinquency, and the Journal of Research in Crime and Delinquency. 

Step 3 : Join Professional Organizations

There are also several professional organizations for professionals to join and collaborate with other criminologists, such as:

• The International Society of Criminology
• The Law and Society Association
• The American Society of Criminology
• The Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
• The Western Society of Criminology
• The Midwestern Criminal Justice Association 

Step 4 : Get licensed

The interdisciplinary career field of criminology draws on several areas and subdivisions. As such, some states require criminologist to be licensed, which includes minimum educational and professional standards and passing a written exam.  The specific exam format varies depending on employer or state agency.

Step 5 : BEGIN A CAREER

Applicants considering a criminology position will usually undergo an extensive background check, drug screening, and multiple interviews. Competition is fierce, and employers are looking for professionals who have successfully earned their degree(s), completed at least one internship in the criminal justice field, and/or volunteered.

Many criminologists begin their careers as an assistant or junior criminologist. Employers use the first one to two years to train and prepare employees for increased responsibilities. Soon thereafter, criminologists will participate in policy and procedure discussions, as well as analyze data. As they grow in their careers, chief criminologists will move into a managerial role, overseeing staff and offering guidance and advice, and developing research projects. With each advancement, wages will increase as will job responsibilities and confidence.

Of course, wages, the likelihood of advancement, and the number of job openings depend on location, area of specialization, degree, company or industry, and experience.

Some criminologist work independently as contractors for police stations and law enforcement agencies. Some criminologists work in psychology offices; others collaborate with security agencies or private firms. Some criminologists teach at colleges and universities, within the prison system, and with customs or border patrol.  Other popular career paths include:

Step 6 : Choose a Similar Profession 

Not all criminologists become criminologists.  Some individuals end up working in careers that are just as fulfilling and draw on the skills, training, education, and experience of criminologists. A few job titles include:

• Compliance Officer
• Court Administrator
• Evidence Technician
• IRS Agent
• Legal Assistant
• Penologist