Criminology Degree
What is Criminology?
Criminology is the scientific study of crime and criminals. This branch of sociology delves into the behaviors of criminals, what factors can make a criminal, why do criminals commit crimes, research into types of incidents, what types of crimes, what are causes of crimes, what the consequences are, the extent crimes affect society, control of criminal behavior, the study of crime as a disease (etiology), ways of prevention, treatment of crime and delinquency, social and governmental regulations, reaction to crime, do our laws work, is law enforcement effective, and many other areas. Other disciplines that contain or work alongside criminology are sociology, psychology, law, and statistics. Obtaining a criminology degree will get you in this field, and you will be able to work in a multitude of jobs. Looking into schools to get this degree is an easy first step.
Where can I get a Criminology Degree?
A criminology degree can be completed at many four year universities. If attending a four year university is not feasible for a student, then there are plenty of online opportunities for a criminology degree. Pursuing an online degree allows the student to take distance learning classes, take classes that fit around their work schedule, and the opportunity to pursue a degree from a school not in their area. When looking into criminology degree programs among different schools you should ask several questions about the program. Does the program offer an actual criminology degree or is it a specialization or certificate within other programs like sociology, psychology, or criminal justice? Does the program focus mainly on the psychological and sociological theory of criminology, or on the practical applications of criminology? Does the program prepare you for work in the real world? Does the program offer you opportunities to pursue internships or part-time work? Does the program prepare you for other graduate studies; such as law school, social work, or psychology? Choosing the right school to get your criminology degree is not as daunting as it seems; all you need to do is a little research to be on your way to earning your degree.
What courses do I have to take to earn a Criminology Degree?
Since criminology degree is a major that touches on many subjects you can expect to take a variety of courses among several other majors. A student can expect to take courses from departments like sociology, psychology, anthropology, law, statistics, and management. Criminology degree majors will take classes like Introduction to Criminology, Sociology, Psychology, Cultural Anthropology, Criminal Law, Justice System, Community and Crime, Sociology of Law, Legal Writing, Corrections, and other legal courses. The students will learn skills and knowledge in researching methodology, interviewing, identifying and developing solutions to problems, statistical analysis of crime data, understanding the legal process, understanding the court systems, awareness of social concerns, understanding of forensics, and knowing basics of law enforcement.
How do I pay for my Criminology Degree?
Paying for college is one of the biggest deterrents for students attending school. There are plenty of financial opportunities available for students who do the research. Students can choose from scholarships, grants, and loans to assist them if they can’t pay for college out of their own pocket. Students should start to look for scholarships or grants before looking into loans. A great place to start looking for scholarships is within your community. There are many private organizations that offer scholarships to local students and some scholarships are even specifically for students who are seeking a criminology degree or a similar degree. Then you can spread your search to national organizations. If you still need financial aid and have exhausted your scholarship and grants search then you can apply for student loans. Loans can be received from the federal government, private banks, and other financial institutions.
What can I expect after receiving my Criminology Degree?
After you graduate with your degree in criminology degree you can find careers in substance abuse counseling, youth counseling, law enforcement, criminal investigation, corrections, legal services, probation, private security, and federal agents. Some duties you would have in an entry level position would be attending crime scenes, reviewing policies, administering justice, questioning suspects, attending autopsies, studying data, and researching and creating reports. Since the types of jobs vary, so do salary medians and ranges. On average the range of salary for an entry level position can be from $25,000 to $50,000. A criminology degree is a great way to get into an exciting and challenging career.