With the recent popularity of such shows as "CSI," the field of criminology has become far more fascinating than ever to the general public. As sociologists, criminologists study factors such as when and where crimes are most often committed, the reasons for criminal behavior, and the types of crimes most often committed. They may also research crime’s effect on society at large, and the government’s response to crime.

Criminologist Job Description

Criminologists usually work closely with both local and federal law enforcement offices, and sometimes may even be employed by such agencies. The idea is to help law enforcement professionals catch criminals more quickly, predict patterns of criminal behavior, and improve agency response to crime. A criminologist may be called on by a small-town police department to help them solve a series of crimes, or may earn a paycheck from the FBI. They may profile a suspect for a specific crime, or help analyze a string of related crimes by several individuals. Some criminologists even end up working as police officers, FBI agents, and state medical examiners, and may leave the field to work as therapists, psychologists, or counselors – in fact, more criminologists leave their area of work to enter law enforcement than those in many other occupations.

Criminologist Requirements

Some criminologists may specialize in a specific field, such as juvenile crime; particular types of crimes, like murder or kidnapping; crime prevention; criminal investigation; litigation; corrections; profiling; or private or government research.

The majority of criminologists, however, work in academic settings like universities, where they conduct research and teach. Most criminologists have an undergraduate degree in psychology, sociology, or criminal justice; many also hold master’s degrees in criminal justice or criminology. The amount of education and training you have can mean a great difference in the amount you earn at the beginning and throughout your career. Criminologists with bachelor’s degrees have an average entry level salary of $30,000, while those with master’s degrees can earn $55,000 or more, as well as landing a higher-level position from the get go.

Work experience can also be a factor in your employability; aspiring criminologists who have previously worked as law enforcement or correctional officers may have a leg up on their competition, and may be able to more easily enter the field with a bachelor’s degree. However, those who want to teach at a university level must have their Ph.D. in psychology or sociology. Criminology can be a very competitive field, so it’s also a good idea to take courses in statistics, computer science, and writing, thanks to the large amount of work criminologists do in analyzing crime rates and statistics and writing reports. It may also help to have a part-time job or internship in the field.

Also make sure to thoroughly research all requirements in the area you wish to work – some states require a license to practice as a criminologist, while others do not.