Criminologists work for law enforcement agencies such as police
departments, courts, and forensic labs. They assist everyone from FBI agents to
parole officers in a variety of ways to prevent, reduce, and mitigate criminal
activity. Learn more about what a criminologist does and how to become one.
What Exactly Is a Criminologist?
A criminologist is a sociologist who specializes in crime.
They investigate the psychological and sociological causes of criminal behavior
and make recommendations for crime prevention. Their work is useful in criminal
investigations, policymaking, recidivism reduction, and a variety of other
fields.
What Is the Role of a Criminologist?
Criminologists approach their work from a variety of
perspectives. Here are a few examples of daily tasks you might see in a job
description:
Providing assistance to criminal investigators:
Criminologists collaborate with crime scene investigators to identify suspects
and important evidence. While not as hands-on as a homicide detective or
autopsy examiner, their research gives those on the ground a better understanding
of their own professions.
Making rehabilitation easier: To keep people from becoming
repeat offenders, criminologists frequently collaborate with corrections
officers and social workers. They may also collaborate with mental health
professionals, who can provide incarcerated people with the tools they need to
become productive members of society.
Providing potential solutions: Criminologists devote a
significant amount of time to researching the causes of crime, which allows
them to propose potential solutions to mitigate these causes. They give public
policymakers ideas on how to improve the criminal justice system or address
societal ills that can lead to an increase in crime.
Investigating criminal behavior: Understanding human
behavior is important in crime prevention. Criminologists frequently
collaborate with criminal profilers, such as former FBI criminal profiler John
Douglas, to investigate what drives people to commit crimes. This facilitates
the identification of suspects in real time.
Generally Studying Crime: In general, criminology is a
research-intensive discipline and profession. You'll spend more time reading
about violent crime than actually fighting it. Compiling reports on forensic
science, sociology, and criminal behavior helps police officers and other
investigators fight crime more effectively.
Job Requirements in Criminology
To become a criminologist, you must have extensive
education, experience, and knowledge. These are just a few of the prerequisites
for a career in criminology or criminal justice:
Higher education: If possible, look for a college that
offers a criminology degree program. Consider studying a different but related
social science as an alternative. Most jobs in this field require a bachelor's
degree, and a master's degree is even more advantageous.
Prior experience: Look for opportunities to work or intern
in a related field while studying criminology. You don't have to find something
specifically related to criminology right away, but gaining experience in the general
criminal law arena is beneficial. You could, for example, intern for a forensic
psychologist or work in a police department.
Psychological knowledge: To be a successful criminologist,
you must have a strong understanding of psychology and sociology. Spend time in
and out of school learning about the human psyche and what motivates people to
commit criminal acts.
How to Work as a Criminologist
Here are some things to consider if you decide to pursue a
career in criminology:
Think about specializing. Because there are so many
different career paths in criminology, narrowing your focus can be beneficial.
You could try to concentrate on a specific type of crime (such as homicide or
white-collar fraud) or investigate what it takes to work for a specific government
agency. This will allow you to better tailor your internships and studies to
your future career goals.
Gain law enforcement experience. If you look for entry-level
law enforcement jobs right out of high school, you'll have more career options
in the long run. Consider pursuing a career as a police officer. Consider
working as an intern for a private investigator or a probation officer. This
type of experience will look great on a résumé for a more advanced position in
criminology.
Pursue a higher education. Most criminologist jobs require
advanced degrees, so a high level of education is recommended for the best job
prospects. A bachelor's or master's degree in criminology (or a related
behavioral science) will open many more doors for you than it would otherwise.
Improve a relevant skill set. Every day of your career as a
criminologist will be spent analyzing data and interacting with other criminal
justice professionals. To reach your full potential, you must practice critical
thinking and communication skills as much as possible.