Overview of Criminology
Criminology is the scientific study of crime, criminals, and the criminal justice system. It examines why people commit crime, how it affects individuals and society, and how society responds from a legal perspective to criminal behavior. Criminologists study the causes of criminal behavior, the nature of punishment, and the potential for prevention and rehabilitation. Topics of study typically include law, sociology, psychology, biology, and economics.
Career Opportunities Associated With Criminology
At the bachelor’s level, many criminology graduates pursue a career in law enforcement or criminal justice-related fields, such as corrections officer, parole officer, detective, court clerk, police officer, security specialist, and private investigator. Other career opportunities include crime analyst, forensic science technician, legal assistant, victim advocate, probation/parole officer, and immigration law enforcement. Many criminology students go on to pursue advanced degrees in law, social work, or criminal justice, which provide access to even more career opportunities.
Internship or Co-op Opportunities Related to Criminology
Internships and co-op experiences are a great way to gain hands-on experience and add real-world skills to your resume. Many employers offer internships and co-ops to undergraduate students pursuing a degree in criminology. These opportunities may be found through connections at your college or university, or as part of an online search. Internship and co-op experiences can provide students with meaningful experiences in the field, and can help strengthen resumes for future job searches.
Specialized Tracks or Concentrations Within Criminology
When pursuing a degree in Criminology, students can specialize in a variety of concentrations, such as Criminal Justice Technology, Criminal Justice Administration, Cybercrime and Security, and White Collar Crime. Other concentrations include Forensic Science, Victimology, Criminology Law, and Juvenile Justice. Depending on the program, undergraduate courses may include topics such as criminal law, legal research, criminal behavior, criminological theories, and methods of criminological investigation.
How Criminology Prepares Students for Graduate School or Further Education
Completing a bachelor’s degree in Criminology can provide students with the foundation they need to pursue further studies in law, criminal justice, social work, and criminology. By specializing in a certain field of criminology, such as juvenile delinquency or cybersecurity, students can prepare for further studies in those subjects. Through a combination of coursework, internships, and research opportunities, students can develop the necessary skills to excel in their future studies.
Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Criminology
Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly changing the landscape of criminology research and practice. AI-based applications are being used increasingly for data analysis, crime prediction and prevention, surveillance, and identifying offenders. AI-based systems can be used to analyze large-scale data sets to identify crime patterns more accurately, and are increasingly used to analyze crime-related videos. AI is also being used to develop predictive tools that can help police officers and other law enforcement personnel better understand crime trends and identify potential offenders.
The Career Outlook for Criminology
The demand for graduates with a degree in criminology is growing. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook in the field is positive. The need for qualified criminologists is expected to grow as law enforcement and criminal justice systems become more sophisticated and dynamic. Positions are available in government agencies, consulting firms, law firms, and tech companies, and those with a degree in criminology can expect competitive salaries when working in the field.
Here are the top reported starting salaries for graduates in Criminology:
- University of Massachusetts Global, Salary: $46,624
- Lasell University, Salary: $41,517
- Saint Anselm College, Salary: $41,099
- Florida Southern College, Salary: $40,324
- Stonehill College, Salary: $40,224
- University of Wisconsin-Stout, Salary: $39,034
- University of Southern Maine, Salary: $38,634
- Lindenwood University, Salary: $38,594
- Upper Iowa University, Salary: $38,511
- University of New Hampshire-Main Campus, Salary: $38,438
For privacy reasons, not all schools report the first year salaries for students who earned their bachelor’s degree in Criminology.