Criminology Job Description

Criminology Job Description

Online degrees in criminology prepare individuals to actively prevent the reach and scope of criminal activity on behalf of peoples and communities. Their communication and problem-solving skills enable them to understand how best to confront crime wherever it occurs. As leaders in an array of occupations, individuals who hold Associate’s , Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate degrees in criminology manage the intricacies of the field and help to ensure others’ compliance with the U.S. justice system. Professionals in the field possess the professional ethics, cultural fluency and critical thinking skills necessary to meet the demands of security-oriented positions. Their work not only serves to protect both public and private interests, but also to lessen the likelihood of recidivism through appropriate sentences that will hopefully spur rehabilitation.

Highly interdisciplinary coursework in various content areas such as psychology, political science and legal studies enables criminology students to acquire a deep understanding of the field. As a result, graduates are prepared to transition more seamlessly into a myriad of occupations, which vary in accordance with the level of degree attained. Associate and Bachelor degree holders are able to pursue entry-level occupations while those who earn advanced degrees may enter mid- to advanced level positions that necessitate supervisory responsibilities.

Criminology degrees may lead to careers such as:

• Associate’s Degree:
  Security Guard
  These professionals patrol and inspect property to deter criminal activity and to protect against fire, theft and vandalism. Security guards draft reports of their observations and activities, and may also interview witnesses and victims and testify in court proceedings. The U.S. Bureau of Labor reports that security guards earn an average of $26,430 with the top-paying industries for the career in natural gas distribution, computer systems design and electric power generation, transmission and distribution. The number of professionals in this occupation is projected to grow 14% by 2018.
  Correctional Officer
  Correctional officers work in detention facilities to oversee individuals who have either been arrested or convicted for criminal activities. They are responsible for maintaining the security within these institutions through the prevention of disturbances, assaults and escapes. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the average income for these professionals to be approximately $38,000; it also reports the number of correctional officers will increase 9% by 2018. Prospects in the field are positive, particularly due to attrition and retirement rates as well as rising demand.
• Bachelor’s Degree:
  Bailiff
  These court officers maintain order and safety in courtrooms. They assist judges by helping to enforce courtroom rules, delivering documents and providing security for juries. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor, bailiffs earn a median income of $40,240.
  Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Agent
  FBI agents investigate federal crimes and national security issues. They may engage in activities such as surveillance, white-collar investigations and court-authorized wiretapping. Commonly, they work with agencies such as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Secret Service, or they may act as U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents and U.S. marshals. This position also at least three years of professional experience. Although the law dictates the salaries of Federal employees in law enforcement, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports the approximate median income of Federal detectives to be $73,000.
• Master’s Degree:
  Criminal Investigator
  These individuals, who are also called detectives, apprehend individuals who engage in criminal behavior and assume investigative duties such as evidence collection and fact analyses to apprehend individuals who break the law. Their reports are frequently used in court proceedings. The national average salary for this career is $65,860, with the southwestern states of New Mexico, Arizona and Texas the top-three highest paying. The number of criminal investigators is expected to increase by 10% by 2018.
• Master’s Degree/Doctorate Degree:
  Criminologist
  Within the social science disciplines of sociology and psychology, individuals may opt to specialize in criminology. They design research studies and projects that involve methods such as historical analysis and quantitative and qualitative techniques to explain patterns and trends that guide and inform lawmakers, educators and those interested in resolving social problems. Professionals who possess master’s degrees commonly act as researchers and project administrators who study criminology and related activities; professionals who possess PhD degrees may undertake research projects, assume positions within government agencies and/or teach college and university courses. The U.S. Bureau of Statistics reports the salary range for this profession as approximately $40,000 to over $122,000. It estimates employment growth within both sociology and political science as 21% by 2018, attributable primarily to retirements and career transition within the field.