People often ask what a Bachelor’s in Criminology is good for. Now, there are a ton of jobs that have nothing to do with law enforcement or the legal system. Yet, for obvious reasons, this question points to two major categories (1) those working within the legal system and (2) those not working directly with legal cases but who work within the criminal justice system.
When you graduate from a criminology program, you’ll be able to get a job in law enforcement. Specifically, you could work as a police officer or detective. You’ll need to pass an exam and meet your state’s requirements for training.
You could also work as a crime scene investigator (CSI). You’ll need to pass an exam, and you must have at least two years of experience in forensics or criminal investigations before you can become a CSI.
You could also work in corrections or probation services. You’ll need to be licensed by your state’s board of professional conduct.
What jobs can you get with a bachelors in criminology
Introduction
If you’re considering a career in forensics or criminology, then you might be wondering what kinds of jobs are actually out there. Well, wonder no more! Here’s a list of some of the most popular jobs that people with degrees in criminology land:
Crime scene investigator
A crime scene investigator is a job that requires you to collect evidence at a crime scene. This position can be found in the private and public sectors and typically requires you to have a bachelor’s degree in criminology.
For this job, it’s important that you’re able to work well with others on your team, as well as under pressure. You’ll need excellent communication skills for communicating with witnesses and suspects during investigations and court cases.
Forensic pathologist
If you’re interested in the human body at the microscopic level, a career as a forensic pathologist may be for you. Forensic pathologists perform autopsies to determine the cause of death and can also help identify biological evidence from crime scenes. To become one, you must complete a four-year medical degree and then complete an additional one year of pathology residency training before applying for certification through The American Board of Pathology (ABP). After obtaining your certification, you will work in hospitals where there is both clinical work and teaching responsibilities, coroners’ offices or medical examiner’s offices.
Crime analyst
Crime analysts and crime analysts are a must-have for any police department, federal agency or business that relies on data to help solve crimes.
- If you don’t already have one, get a bachelor’s degree in criminology.
- Get hired as a crime analyst.
Correctional case manager
Correctional case managers are responsible for managing the well-being of inmates, as well as their families and victims. They provide information to inmates about social services and resources that they may be eligible to receive while they’re in prison.
In addition to providing this general guidance, correctional case managers also help inmates develop plans for when they are released from prison. This includes developing appropriate housing arrangements, job placements and other areas of potential need.
The salary range for correctional case managers is $38,000-$50,000 (according to Payscale). Requirements include a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or social work; however, some entry-level positions require only an associate’s degree with relevant work experience.
Forensic psychologist
As a forensic psychologist, your primary role will be to evaluate individuals involved in criminal cases. You can work with the prosecution or defense team and provide expert testimony related to mental health issues of a defendant. In civil cases, you may also help advise people who are suing another person or company for damages.
This type of psychologist typically works in hospitals, clinics and other healthcare settings.
Crime scene reconstructionist
You may be surprised to learn that a crime scene reconstructionist is not just a CSI or criminal investigator, but actually a forensic science professional. Crime scene reconstructionists use physical evidence to recreate the original crime scene so it can be studied and interpreted by investigators. As such, they are members of the forensic science team.
Because of this role, it’s important for individuals with this degree to have an understanding of how physical evidence can be used as proof in court when reconstructing a crime.
There’s a wide range of jobs you can get with a bachelors in criminology.
There’s a wide range of jobs you can get with a bachelors in criminology. The most common jobs are:
- Crime scene investigator
- Forensic pathologist
- Crime analyst
- Correctional case manager
- Forensic psychologist (often works as a prison psychologist)
- Crime scene reconstructionist (who analyzes crime scenes to understand what happened in order to recreate the events and help prosecutors build their cases)
But there are many other options, too, including educator and researcher positions.
Conclusion
There are many career options for people with bachelor’s degrees in criminology. The field is growing rapidly and offers diverse opportunities for graduates who want to help make their communities safer places to live. Whether your interests lie in helping victims of crimes or investigating them, there’s no doubt that studying criminology provides an excellent foundation for a rewarding professional future.
