Criminologists study the causes of crime, prevention, criminal behavior, and society’s response to crime. They work in various settings and can have degrees in biology, computer science, criminal justice, economics, psychology, or sociology. Graduate programs draw on enrollments in various undergraduate degrees, and a written licensing exam may be required.
A criminologist is someone who studies aspects of crime other than the law, including the causes of crime, crime prevention, criminal behavior, and society’s response to crime. The word can be confused with criminalist because of the spelling similarity, but a criminalist specializes in collecting and examining evidence. Criminology is one of the branches of sociology and has a fair amount of overlap with psychology. Criminologists work in a variety of settings, including universities and other educational institutions, as well as at all levels of government, from local to federal.
To become a criminologist, there is no set path to other fields. First of all, there are no majors in criminology at many schools. Criminology is widely considered a multidisciplinary field, and as such, its graduate programs draw on enrollments in various undergraduate degrees. In these cases, you can take an undergraduate degree in biology, computer science, criminal justice, economics, psychology, or sociology and become a criminologist through graduate study.
In schools that have degrees in criminology, they may also offer the opportunity for an undergraduate student. With an undergraduate degree, you can access jobs in many areas of criminal justice, but it is not possible to become a criminologist in all areas of practice without a graduate degree.
In schools offering graduate programs, master’s degrees may be offered as a master of science or master of arts program, and the school or university department offering the degree may or may not have the word criminology in its title. Other names to look for are criminal justice, sociology, crime, law and society, and law and justice. Some schools only offer a doctorate. degree. Graduate school usually involves coursework, some electives, research, and a written report. For the doctorate, a comprehensive examination, independent research, and a dissertation are standard.
In addition to the degree program, you should check your state’s regulations to see if a written licensing exam is required to become a criminologist. If you are considering working for a law enforcement agency, be aware that a background check will also be required.
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