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Criminology
Criminology is the scientific study of crimes. It is a branch of the criminal justice system that delves deep into the reasons why crimes are committed and how those crimes are put into action. Criminologists spend their days trying to come up with plans to reduce crime rates in their communities, and they are responsible for the safety of the world around them. If you want a criminal justice career that involves life-changing research, this could definitely be the place for you. You just need to find out a little bit more about it to make sure of that.
The criminology job description below should help you determine if this is the line of work you want to be in. If so, there are plenty of job opportunities in store for your future.
Criminology Job Duties
The job duties of a criminologist will vary from one position to the next, so it is hard to say exactly what you will be doing in this position. You may spend your time researching a specific type of crime, or you may work in a prison all day interviewing inmates. It just depends on what you are asked to do for the day. Common criminology job responsibilities include:
- Testifying in court
- Reducing crime rates
- Making investigations more efficient
- Improving the way criminals are brought to justice
- Developing scientific methods for criminal investigation
- Developing laws
- Assessing criminal behavior
- Analyzing the effects of arrests on criminals
You may also be asked to counsel with an investigative team if they are struggling to solve a crime. With your insight on the way crimes are committed, you should be able to help answer many of their questions.
Criminology Salary Levels
There are tons of factors that go into determining your criminologist salary. Your location, work experience, benefits, position, education, and more could all influence the amount of money you make. Some people make a lot of money because they have been doing their jobs for years. Others make a lot because they have a doctorate related to their profession. It is impossible to determine exactly how much money you can make as a criminologist, but it is possible to approximate it. Possible earnings in this profession include:
Salary by Experience
- <1 year: $37,340 - $52,903 per year
- 1-4 years: $31,800 – $65,169 per year
- 5-19 years: $30,000 – $75,000 per year
- 20 years or more: $42,600 – $82,500 per year
Salary with Benefits
- 401(k) : $35,500 – $50,000 per year
- Company Pension Plan: $37,191 – $50,000 per year
- Flexible Schedule: $38,323 – $63,484 per year
- Life Insurance or Disability Payments: $44,132 – $49,579 per year
- Paid Holidays and Vacations: $36,000 – $50,868 per year
- Paid Sick Leave: $40,000 – $50,868 per year
The numbers above are taken from national salary statistics, and they should help you see what your earning potential is in this career. Use this information to decide if you want to go through with criminology as a vocation.
How to Become a Criminologist
To become a criminologist, you need to have an understanding of psychology and the criminal justice system. This will come from a college education. You need at least a bachelor’s degree in order to work in this field, but some people go on to pursue master’s degrees, doctorates, and more. Listed below are some possible degree opportunities to keep in mind.
- Bachelor of Science in Psychology
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminology
- Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
- Master of Science in Criminology
- Master of Science in Criminalistics
- Master of Science in Criminal Justice
- Master of Arts in Legal Studies
- Doctorate of Forensic Science
- Doctorate of Criminology
- Doctorate of Criminal Justice
If you think that you want to work in criminology, you might as well start learning about the field right away. Seek out colleges in your area or on the internet that offer a degree program related to the field, and then you will be able to get the education you need to start your career. In just a few short years, you could be making a living as a criminologist.
