Types of Criminology Jobs

Everyone loves a good crime show or binging a murder documentary for the weekend marathon. All these shows strive to uncover the social dilemma surrounding crime and point to criminology. But what is Criminology? It is the study of crime, its causes, responses by law enforcement, and methods of prevention. It is basically an interdisciplinary branch that deals with both social and forensic sciences; a scientific study of one’s social behavior. If you are someone with an analytical and inquisitive mind then this branch of study is perfect for you. Keep reading to find out about the best jobs in criminology and their career scope!

Also Read: Criminology Courses

Why study Criminology?

The alarming rate of crime and terrorist threats in India has caused this field to expand without limits. The root cause of a crime is a combination of economic, psychological, and social factors.

• Criminologists are trained to examine these issues in order to gain insight into the mind of a criminal. Criminologists are not limited to solving crimes on their own.
• They play a significant role in prevention and law/policy-making systems that can avoid such situations in the future while also reducing crime.
• Criminology is a synthesis of subjects such as psychology, sociology, law, and anthropology, and it thus plays an important role in critiquing a crime and the criminal.
• Sociology is the study of human behaviour and interaction, whereas psychology is the study of the mind.

List of Jobs in Criminology

Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Civil Service Administrator 
• Community Development Worker 
• Crime scene investigator 
• Detective 
• Police officer 
• Prison officer 
• Probation officer 
• Social worker 
• Youth worker

Jobs where your degree would be useful include:

• Adult guidance worker
• Border force
• Charity officer 
• Counselor 
• Housing manager 
• Local government officer 
• Paralegal
• Political risk analyst 
• Social researcher 
• Solicitor
• Penologist
• Lawyer

Let’s take a closer look at different job profiles in Criminology:

Police Officer 

Police officers work with local communities to keep people safe, deter crime and keep the peace. They also conduct investigations, interview suspects, and gather evidence.

Detective 

Detectives work in many different areas, from criminal investigation departments (CID) to fraud, cyber, or drugs squads. They manage investigations and police officers in gathering evidence.

Probation Officer 

Probation officers work closely with offenders and ex-prisoners, reintroducing them into society and helping to prevent reoffending. You’ll also work closely with prison services, the police, and government or community agencies.

Crime Scene Investigator 

This job is ideal for those who’ve done a joint honors degree that includes forensic science, however, even if you just studied criminology you can still move into this field by doing further study or on-the-job training.

Prison Officers 

Prison officers are responsible for supervising offenders, including those who are dangerous and/or vulnerable in prison. You’ll be in direct contact with prisoners and will assist rehabilitation.

Social Worker

Social workers help vulnerable people going through difficult times. You’ll provide mental health support, support with drug or alcohol abuse, or support with the homeless. You’ll help them get the medical, financial, and housing support they need.

Social Researcher and Professor

Research and teaching is another job in criminology to explore. As a lecturer at a prestigious college or university, you can even participate in different research projects that are specific to your area of research of subject area of study and draft research papers and interesting theories that can help solve cases for on-field detectives, and forensic scientists or criminologists to catch criminals or perpetrators.

Must Read: What is Criminal Psychology?

Best Courses for Careers in Criminology

• BA in Criminology and Criminal Justice
• BA in Criminology
• BA in Criminal Justice
• BSc Criminology
• Master of Science in Criminology
• Masters in Criminology & Criminal Justice
• M.Sc Global Criminology
• M.Sc Criminology with Forensic Psychology

Best Universities in the World

• University of Maryland
• University of Florida
• George Washington University
• University of Surrey
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pennsylvania
• Birbeck University
• Middlesex University

Best Universities in India

• LNJN National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science
• Punjab University
• Tata Institute of Social Science [TISS]
• University of Jammu
• Mangalore University
• IGNOU
• Mansarovar Global University
• University of Pune

Top Recruiters for Criminology

The top sectors and organizations for the recruitment of criminologists are as the following:

• Government agencies against the crime
• State police
• Central police
• FBI
• CBI
• IB
• Private detective agencies
• NGOs
• Human rights agencies
• National Institute of Criminology and Forensic Science (NICFS)

Advantages and Disadvantages

The following are some of the benefits and drawbacks of criminology.

Advantages:

• A New Field with a Promising Career: Criminologists have an exciting career helping to prevent and mitigate crime. Criminologists can pursue lucrative careers in a variety of settings, including banks, educational institutions, international organisations, and the government.
• Evolving Field: Because criminologists help to understand the mindset of a criminal, they can help to reduce crime and help society. For criminologists, there are numerous job opportunities. Working on projects such as UNDP, BPR&D, and NGOs are all good and lucrative career options for criminologists. Furthermore, there is a need to create jobs in organisations such as the CBI, RAW, and the judiciary.
• Impact on Society: Reducing crime rates will help to bring about positive change in society while also liberating people from a fearful environment.
• Change in our Legal System: With the proper education and experience in this field of study, our legal systems will also change. India is gradually moving toward rehabilitation sentencing. Adding laws or punishments suggested by criminologists is a significant step toward change.

Cons:

• Not a Traditional Field of Study: Because it is not a traditional field of study like engineering or medicine, it has yet to be accepted as a reputable and lucrative career option. Nonetheless, we remain hopeful for a favourable outcome in the future.
• Although there are numerous job opportunities for criminologists, the average starting salary of 15-20k per month discourages many people from pursuing the course. The advantage is that criminologists can work with a variety of reputable firms as their experience grows.
• Demanding Work: A criminologist’s working environment is, however, extremely demanding. A criminologist’s job requires a sharp focus, long and tedious hours, and a challenging work environment with no work-life balance.

Average Salary

A criminologist can be a part of the government and private sector companies or the organization. The salary in the government sector is fixed but in the private sector, it tends to vary based on individual experience and organization. The field of criminology is far more established in developed countries like the USA, Canada, and the UK as compared to India. As a criminologist, you can earn around Rs. 3 to 4 lacs per year. With some good experience in this field, you can earn attractive salary packages with respect to criminology jobs in both sectors.

FAQs

A career in Criminology lets you explore the mysteries behind crimes around the world. By using deductive reasoning skills, the career encourages you to unleash your investigative genius. If you are planning to kick-start your career in this field but are not sure about how to get started with it then the experts at Leverage Edu will assist you in choosing the university using our revolutionary AI tool and help you curate a list of options suitable for you!