Criminologist
A criminologist is a sociologist specializing in the study of crime, deviant behavior, and the criminal justice system. They often focus on specific types of crime, such as juvenile or white-collar crime, or particular aspects of the criminal justice system, like rehabilitation or police practices. Criminologists work in various environments, including law enforcement agencies, correctional institutions, universities, and think tanks, and their roles may involve both research and fieldwork. Their duties typically include conducting research, analyzing data, and presenting findings to inform policies and enhance public safety.
With a strong interest in understanding the motivations behind criminal behavior, criminologists often engage with diverse populations, including victims and offenders, to gather insights. They utilize a wide range of tools and technologies for their research, and their work can lead to significant changes in sentencing guidelines or the establishment of community programs. To pursue a career in criminology, individuals typically require a master's degree or doctorate in the field or related disciplines. Overall, criminologists play a critical role in exploring crime’s complexities and contributing to societal improvements.
Criminologist
Snapshot
Career Cluster(s): Human Services
Interests: Research, analyzing data, communicating with others
Earnings (Yearly Median): $98,5900 per year $47.40 per hour
Employment & Outlook: 5% (Faster than average)
Entry-Level Education Master's degree
Related Work Experience None
On-the-job-Training None
Overview
Sphere of Work. Criminologists are sociologists who specialize in the study of crime, deviant behavior, and the criminal justice system. They usually specialize in certain types of crime, such as juvenile or white-collar crime; a certain type of offense, such as serial murder or hate crimes; or a certain aspect of the criminal justice system, such as rehabilitation or police brutality. Some criminologists also study crime scenes, but they should not be confused with criminalists or crime scene investigators (CSIs), whose jobs are more narrowly focused on the physical evidence, or forensics, of crime scenes.
Work Environment. Criminologists work in federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and state and local police departments. They also work for correctional institutions, universities, private security companies or banks, and public policy research organizations (or think tanks). Their jobs usually involve both office work and fieldwork. Their hours vary widely depending on the employer, tenure, and type of research and may require much flexibility, although some criminologists do work a regular forty-hour week.
Occupation Interest. People who are interested in criminology are frequently inquisitive by nature. They may wonder what causes a person to commit a murder or whether capital punishment deters crime, or they may search for ways in which a community can work together to end gang violence. They enjoy conducting research that will shed light on motives for human behavior, particularly behavior considered to be deviant, and they work to better society. Logical thinkers with a flair for thinking creatively, criminologists tend to find satisfaction in working with both statistics and people. They usually have excellent written and oral communication skills.
A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. As social scientists, criminologists spend much of their time researching hypotheses, gathering information, analyzing data, and presenting their studies to their colleagues, various agencies and organizations, and/or the general public. Criminologists conduct some of their research on a computer, accessing many different databases and websites for statistics, newspaper articles, police reports, historical information, recent research studies, and other documents. They also study crime scenes, interview criminals, victims, and their families, or investigate entire communities. Sometimes, their research may lead them to foreign countries or involve many different cities.
As criminologists analyze statistics and other information, they look for patterns that might help in preventing crime or in making public policy more effective. For example, their research may help law enforcement in profiling criminals or, to the contrary, show that profiling does not work. Criminologists may demonstrate the need for more funding for prisons or police officers or, instead, funding for education, social service organizations, and/or rehabilitation centers. Their research findings can lead to changes in sentencing guidelines or the establishment of programs intended to help victims.
Criminologists publish their data in journals, reports, and/or books. They also give speeches and sometimes prepare videos, films, or podcasts. Criminologists are also sometimes asked to testify as expert witnesses in court cases. Other responsibilities might include teaching and/or handling the duties of forensic scientists, which include working with cadavers, DNA samples, and other crime scene data and evidence.
Work Environment
Immediate Physical Environment. Some criminologists rarely work outside the office, while others may deal regularly with crime scenes, morgues, hospitals, urban neighborhoods, and a range of conditions that may require special clothing, masks, and/or other protective gear.
Human Environment. A criminologist employed in an academic environment reports to a department head or director and may supervise graduate students and assistants. Other criminologists work under a director or supervisor and may oversee staff and interns. Most criminologists interact with a variety of people, including law-enforcement personnel, lawyers and judges, medical professionals, forensic scientists, criminals, victims, and the general public.
Technological Environment. Criminologists rely heavily on computers, smartphones, and office equipment. They also use still and video cameras, usually digital. Criminologists need to be able to perform Internet research and use the Internet for communication as well. Office suite programs allow criminologists to perform the administrative aspects of their jobs and publish findings.
Education, Training, and Advancement
High School/Secondary. The best preparation for a career as a criminologist is a well-rounded college-preparatory program that includes calculus and statistics, computer science, a foreign language, and courses in the social sciences (political science, sociology, anthropology, or psychology). Part-time jobs or volunteer work in the community helps to develop an understanding of people and social institutions.
Postsecondary. Most criminology positions require a master’s degree or doctorate in criminology or a related subject. Since the study of criminology encompasses several different disciplines, there are many suitable undergraduate majors, including political science, criminal justice, computer criminology, forensics, sociology, and psychology. Students should plan to take courses in as many of these disciplines as possible and consider a double major or plan to minor in one or more subjects. Advanced degree programs in criminology and criminal justice and their related disciplines are aimed especially at those students interested in doing original research, consulting, and/or teaching at the college level. Internships and part- or full-time jobs working in related agencies will provide hands-on experience.
Related Occupations
Bibliography
“Occupational Employment and Wages, May 2022: 19-3041: Sociologists.” Occupational Employment Statistics. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 25 Apr. 2023, www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes193041.htm. Accessed 5 Sept. 2023.
“Sociologists.” Occupational Outlook Handbook. Bureau of Labor Statistics, US Department of Labor, 6 Sept. 2023, www.bls.gov/ooh/life-physical-and-social-science/sociologists.htm. Accessed 5 Sept. 2023.