Criminology Schools: Online or Campus?

Something else that you will have to consider when you are narrowing down your choice of criminology schools is how you want to receive your education. Many people today are choosing to go to school online. The technology is better than it was in the past, and it is possible to get a high quality education without stepping foot in a traditional classroom. In order to excel in this area, you do have to be a self-starter though. It can be too easy to neglect work. Going to school online is often a more cost effective and time saving option though.

Still some prefer the option of going to a traditional school. You will be able to find a number of criminology schools across the country that will be able to give you the education you need for a long and successful career in the field of criminology. Whether you are considering getting a degree and then going into the police academy, or you want to use your degree to help communities prevent crime, you can do it. Find a school that’s right for you today and get started with a high quality degree program.

What is Criminology?

If you have an interest in criminal justice, then you may want to study the field of criminology. This area of study is going to be able to help you find positions in a number of different areas, and it can be a stepping-stone to an exciting and interesting career. The first question that you are likely to have though is, “what is criminology?” In fact, the area of study covers a number of different things. For example, one who studies criminology will study the social aspects and factors that can cause someone to commit crimes. The criminologist could also study the psychological factors that can turn someone into a criminal. Many who are in the field and who study criminology will also study psychology or sociology.

The Bureau of Justice Assistance provides a list of professional associations related to criminology

Through studying these areas, criminologists can start to get a better picture of certain types of criminals and areas of high crime. Their studies can help them to predict patterns for criminal behaviors and motives. Many profilers, as well as police officers and detectives, have degrees in criminology. At the heart of it, criminology combines the use of statistical data along with psychological profiles and sociological factors to understand crime and criminals better. They use their knowledge and skills to help capture those criminals and put them away.

What is a criminology program worth taking? While many schools are able to offer these programs, you need to make sure that you are going to a school that can offer the best possible education and the courses you need to succeed in the field. In many cases, you will find schools that can offer associate programs, but you can find higher-level education in the area as well, including bachelor degrees.

Those who get into criminology and who have an associate’s degree will probably be able to find work compiling crime statistics, working on crime prevention strategies, and collecting data. If you continue with your education and get a higher degree, then you will likely be able to find jobs that are more interesting and that have higher pay. You could work in criminal investigations, profiling, or research. Many people who have a criminology degree go on to become police officers and later detectives. Some choose to apply for the FBI. When you start to understand the question of what is criminology, and you get your degree in this interesting field, the entire world is open to you.

Getting a Degree in Criminology?

In today’s world, you can find quite a few different career paths from which you can choose. It is always a good idea to find a career that is going to be able to provide you with a challenge, interesting work, a stable job, and a good salary. One of the few options that seem to meet all of these criteria is working in the field of criminology. Getting a criminology degree can be a great way to get into the different law enforcement agencies that you are considering, and it can offer a good, solid background for those who want to go into forensic psychology or into some other area of forensics.

When you have a degree in criminology, you will have education that can help prepare you for getting out into the actual world and putting that knowledge to use. You will find that the courses cover a wide range of topics including sociology, psychology, criminal law and constitutional law, and criminal theory. Some of the other courses that you might take when you are pursuing criminology degrees include classes in the corrections system, classes in the proper method of research, and courses in forensics. All of the classes are going to serve to help you later in your career.

What a Criminology Degree Can Do for You

When you have a degree in criminology, you will discover that you have a number of different options when it comes to your career choice. Quite a few people who have criminology degrees choose to go into law enforcement. Having a degree can give them a bump in pay, and it can make it easier for them when they are trying to advance through the department. It also provides them with insight another office of equal experience simply won’t have.

Of course, you don’t necessarily have to join the local police force when you have a degree in criminology. You will also be able to apply to the FBI, the DEA, or other agencies, do your own research, work as a profiler, and help communities come up with methods of crime prevention. You could even work with at risk youths and help to keep them out of trouble before it starts. As you can see, you have a number of options, and this is just the tip of the iceberg.

Begin looking for a school, either online or in your area, which will be able to provide you with the education you need to become a criminologist. Getting a degree in criminology is an intelligent choice.

Criminology vs. Forensic Psychology

When you are first considering getting into the field of criminal justice, you have a number of choices available for the type of career that you are going to pursue. It is a good idea to take some time to determine the type of job you want to have and the type of work you want to do to make sure that you are following the right career path before you begin your schooling.

One of the most popular choices for those who want to work the field is forensic psychology. The television shows and books tend to romanticize this job, but it does have a number of benefits and it could be a wonderful career choice. However, becoming a criminologist can be a great career move as well. In the question of criminology vs. forensic psychology, people often confuse the two and believe they are the same thing, but that’s not true at all. In fact, even though there might be some overlap in the types of courses, the focus is going to be different.

With forensic psychology, the main thrust of the education is going to be in the realm of psychology, and that is what the majority of the courses are going to cover. While there may be some courses in criminal justice, that isn’t going to be the focus. In most cases, those who are hoping to become forensic psychologists are going to go on to get master’s degrees and doctorates in psychology.

In the criminology vs. forensic psychology comparison, those studying criminology are going to spend more time covering other areas instead of focusing mainly on psychology. They could study sociology and cultural impact on individuals and communities. The might study criminal laws and rights, and they could study behavior profiling and some psychology. Those who graduate with a criminology degree will often want to work with law enforcement in some capacity, often as a police officer with a goal of making detective.

As you can see, there are some differences when it comes to the focus in criminology vs. forensic psychology. When you are choosing your career, you will want to know where you fall in this, so you can make sure you are choosing the right courses. Try to determine what type of job you would want, whether you would want to get a doctorate, and then get the best education for it.

Criminology Careers

When you are considering what type of job you might want to have, the field of criminology might be one that you would like to consider. In the field, you will have a number of different job options depending on the amount and type of education that you’ve earned. You will be able to get a BS or a BA in criminology from a number of different schools, and these degrees will be able to propel you into a criminology career that you will love.

Those who have a bachelor of arts in criminology will find that there are some great options for employment. They could work in the court system, as well as in correctional facilities. Although you don’t need a degree to become a police officer, you will find that having a degree can be quite beneficial. It can give you a better salary as well as more room for advancement. Those seeking a criminology career with a BA will often research the causes of crimes as well, and it could be possible to find employment in that area.

Those who have a bachelor of science in criminology will find that they have many of the same job opportunities, but they also have other options when it comes to a criminology career. They will often delve …you will have a number of different job options depending on the amount and type of education that you’ve earnedinto sociological and psychological aspects of crimes and criminal behavior. In addition, those who have a BS will often work in profiling as well, which can be one of the most interesting types of criminology career available.

Of course, you have quite a few other options when it comes to your criminology career as well. Many people will spend much of their time researching and developing their own theories. This could help communities deal with crime prevention in a better way, and it could lead to a career as a lecturer and a writer. You may also be able to find employment as an advisor to law enforcement agencies. In fact, you will have a wide range of options when it comes to your career, and that is one of the best things about getting a degree in criminology.

Depending on the type of work that you do and your geographic location, the salary is going to vary. You will find that compensation for those in a criminology career is usually quite good. Consider all of the benefits of a career in this field, and you will see why it is such a popular choice.

Criminology Salary

The truth is, it is almost impossible to tell the average criminology salary. One of the key ingredients to having a great job is love for the work that you do. Choosing a field that is going to provide you with fulfilling and interesting days can lead to a rewarding career. However, finding a job that has a good salary as well is the second ingredient you need if you are going to remain happy. Those who choose one of the many careers in the field of criminal justice should be quite happy. The work is always going to be interesting, and a criminology salary is usually quite good. Of course, you do have to consider all of the variables when it comes to the salary.

What type of variables will affect the criminology salary? In fact, quite a few things are going to play a role when it comes to your paycheck. We will look at some of the different factors here.

Criminology Salary: Geographic Location

Where in the nation do you live? Where do you live in your state? If you live in a populous state and you live near one of the major population center, chances are the criminology salary is going to be higher, simply because of the cost of living. Those who live in rural areas and places where the cost of living is lower will have a lower salary. However, you will find that the starting salary is usually commensurate with the cost of living.

Criminology Salary: Type of Work

What type of job are you doing? When police officers are first starting out, they may make only around $35k per year, and less in some areas. Having a degree in criminology can increase the salary in some locations, as they value an education. In a few years time, the salary can increase, and the officer may soon be making close to $50k per year. Those who have a specialty and who are not police officers, such as a profiler and working as a consultant might make more.

Criminology Salary: Experience in the Job

The amount of experience you have in your job is going to play a role in your criminology salary as well. Those who have more years working in the field are likely to be making quite a bit more money than their inexperienced counterparts do. This is only natural.

The preceding are some of the factors that are going to affect your salary when you have your criminology degree. The more you know about what goes into making up the salaries, the more sense the varied salaries make.