Watching detectives and crime investigators on TV can be exciting and even inspire some to follow in their footsteps. However, the field of criminology extends far beyond what you see on screen. A Bachelor in Criminology degree can actually lead to a wide variety of job opportunities in the field.
A criminology degree equips students with the analytical and critical thinking skills necessary to identify and prevent crimes. To learn more about criminology, head to our blog “Criminology vs. criminal justice: What’s the difference?”
Criminology graduates may work in a number of settings, including prisons, courtrooms, police stations, government agencies, non-profit social service organizations, and more. Before pursuing a degree in this profession, it’s important to know the types of criminology jobs you can expect to pursue upon graduation.
6 Jobs for Criminology Majors
Criminologist
As the name suggests, this is one of the most popular careers for criminology majors. Criminologists collect and analyze qualitative and quantitative data surrounding crime, ultimately providing insights and solutions to prevent crime in a community.
Criminologists work closely with the police and policymakers to offer suggestions on policing strategies and proactive policing. They also help inform public policies relating to crime and its prevention. With a degree in criminology, you will be qualified to pursue any criminologist career in different environments, including legislative bodies, universities, police departments, and more.
What is the average salary for a Criminologist?
According to ZipRecruiter, the average salary for a criminologist is $75,703. This data was collected at the time the article was created.
Probation or Parole Officer
As a probation or parole officer, your job is to work closely with convicted criminals who are serving time in the community and who must comply with supervision conditions to successfully reintegrate back into society. While probation officers work with the courts to supervise the often lower-risk offenders’ communities.
Obtaining a bachelor’s degree in criminology equips probation and parole officers with the analytical skills to communicate, understand, and assist former criminals in their rehabilitation and reintegration. A probation or parole officer may assess an offender’s risk level and monitor their mental health and substance use issues and help them get treatment and care if needed. They conduct investigations into violations of curfews, no-contact orders, drug use, and criminal behavior. They also assist in finding jobs, housing, and more to ensure a smooth re-entry.
You may want to work as a probation or parole officer if you are passionate about directly impacting people’s lives and helping them become better individuals, as well as enhancing public safety. Parole officers work with a state’s corrections department and parole board to monitor and supervise higher-risk offenders who are serving the remainder of their prison sentence in the community instead of jail time.
What is the average salary for a probation or parole office?
According to Indeed, the average salary for a probation officer is $50,289 and the average for a parole officer is $44,030. This data was collected at the time the articles were created.
Forensic Psychologist
Forensic psychology is a subfield of psychology that assesses and evaluates criminals and other persons in a legal setting. Forensic psychologists hold a different job in the criminology field, researching criminal behavior to understand the motives behind crimes.
As a forensic psychologist, you may work with the police in interviewing and interrogating suspects and apply your knowledge of human psychology and analytical skills to find out why a crime was committed. You may hold various job titles such as criminal profiler, investigator, prison psychologist, and more.
What is the average salary for a forensic psychologist?
According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a forensic psychologist is $67,726. This data was collected at the time the article was created.
Criminal Lawyer or Paralegal
While graduating from law school and passing the bar exam are usually required to practice law, lawyers who specialize in criminal cases often have a criminology background. There are also a lot of administrative responsibilities surrounding criminal cases that require non-lawyer professionals to be knowledgeable about criminal behavior and the justice system. Paralegals may work as legal administrative specialists helping lawyers investigate a case, write legal briefs, or conduct legal research. They may also help probation officers as judicial assistants setting court dates, conducting intakes on new cases, and processing case files. They may even serve in administrative roles in the courts such as overseeing jury pools, the collection of fines, managing court dockets, or as courtroom clerks to a judge. There are various types of legal jobs available to those with a B.A. in criminology.
A criminology degree equips you with a baseline knowledge of criminal law, the sociological and psychological motives behind crimes, and the ability to effectively interview and analyze witnesses. A criminal lawyer and paralegal may be responsible for conducting investigations and interviewing witnesses in preparation for court cases. They may also engage in research for any procedural laws as they apply to relevant crimes.
What is the average salary for a criminal lawyer or paralegal?
According to Indeed, the average salary for a criminal lawyer is $79,155, and the average for a paralegal is $57,525. This data was collected at the time the articles were created.
Criminal Investigator
With a criminology degree, you may be qualified to work in several government agencies, preventing and investigating crime, collecting evidence, or profiling offenders. Some jobs in the criminology field include:
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- S. Secret Service (USSS)
- Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)
- Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS)
- Department of State Diplomatic Security Services (DSS)
- The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)
- Department of Homeland Security (DHS)
- S. Marshals Service (USMS)
- Central Intelligence Agency (CIA)
- State or local police departments
- County sheriff’s offices
These government sectors are responsible for crime in distinct areas, depending on the agency. As an FBI agent, for instance, you are focused on criminal investigations in areas such as finance and terrorism. The DEA is responsible for drug-related crime, while the ATF focuses on investigating arson, firearm possession, illegal sales and transfer of alcohol and tobacco products, and more.
A B.A. in Criminology degree may qualify you for a career at any of these agencies depending on your specialized area of interest. As you may notice, there are several criminology government jobs available, post-graduation.
What is the average salary for a criminal investigator?
According to Indeed, the average salary for a criminal investigator is $65,218. This data was collected at the time the article was created.
Victim Advocate
Victim advocates support victims of crime. They may offer emotional support and accompany victims and their families through the criminal justice process. Victim advocates often respond to crime scenes, make death notifications, and help criminal investigators with ensuring victims have resources after a crime occurs.
As a victim advocate with a B.A. in criminology, you will have the knowledge and understanding of criminal behavior, the impacts crime has on victims and the community, and the criminal justice process of arrest, trial, and punishment. Victim advocates often work for police departments, the courts, probation and parole agencies, correctional departments, and non-profit organizations to ensure victims have a voice, victims’ rights are upheld, that resources and compensation are provided and that victims understand how to navigate the criminal justice process.
What is the average salary for a victim advocate?
According to Indeed, the average salary for a victim advocate is $45,035. This data was collected at the time the article was created.
Achieving a B.A. Criminology Degree
You can pursue these criminology jobs both in the government or private sector. A degree in criminology allows graduates to make an impact in their field and on the greater community.
The Chicago School offers a B.A. Criminology degree intended to prepare you for careers in the criminal justice system and other government sectors. Learn more about our program here and prepare for a career in criminology today.