Criminology courses | A detailed guide to the course

Criminology courses | Who are criminologists?

Before proceeding with the criminology courses, let’s understand who criminologists are. Criminologists are responsible for identifying the motives and situations of an offender. They also look into the offender’s generational changes, societal impacts, and so on. As a criminologist, you can build a safe community. As a matter of fact, it is a highly respected profession.

About criminology courses

Criminology is the scientific study, research, analysis of criminal cases. It involves understanding causes, implications, prevention, and laws related to crimes. Although there are several topics in the criminology course, the key concepts are –

• Principles of Criminology
• Human Behavior
• History and Theories
• Legal System
• Human Rights
• Criminological Thought Schools
• Juvenile Justice

Eligibility criteria for pursuing criminology courses

As a matter of fact, the eligibility criteria may differ from university to university. However, the common ones that you have to fulfil are –

• You have to pass 10+2 with an aggregate of 50%.
• Students with a science or arts educational background are preferred.
• You may have to answer GRE, GMAT, or SAT for studying abroad.
• In addition to this, TOEFL or IELTS tests are also a must.

What can students do to pursue criminology courses?

• You can appear for entrance exams to get through the admission process in a UG & PG program.
• After passing class 12, you can opt for a diploma, certificate, and full-time degree courses. 
• A 2-year master’s degree program is more specialized and gives you an in-depth knowledge of the subject. 
• You can take criminology courses online to enhance your skills and thinking ability.

Subjects that you will study

Here are some of the major subjects taught in criminology courses –

• Laws of Crime and Minor Acts
• Police Administration
• Forensic Medicine
• Criminal Psychology
• Cyber Crime
• Forensic Science
• Police Administration and Procedural Law

Top universities in the world to study criminology courses

• The University of Cambridge, Institute of Criminology.
• The University of Pennsylvania.
• Sydney Institute of Criminology.
• The University of Florida.
• The University of Leicester.
• Centre for Criminology at the University of Hong Kong 

Criminology courses | Admission process

While sorting colleges or universities, you must check a few things, such as the tuition fee structure, cut-off, eligibility criteria, etc. Once you proceed to apply, you must fill out the form and pay the application fee. Some universities and colleges may conduct entrance exams for admission. Selected candidates with the desired rank are eligible for admission and proceed to the round of counselling. The candidates can further book their seats, submit their documents, and pay the fees to seal their entrance.

Why choose a career in criminology?

There is a need for competent criminologists as more people understand and strive for justice. Criminology as a career gives you the power to make an impact. It allows you to carve your niche; with the proper education and experience, you can bring about a radical change in society. It is a progressive career and not a “run-of-the-mill” job.
The initial salaries and monetary incentives may not be attractive, but you may earn a hefty paycheck in the long run. Your experience in the field determines your pay. A criminologist can be a part of the government and private sector companies or organizations.

Career prospects

Criminology is a promising career path and opens up an array of opportunities. Some of the work profiles available are –

• Detective
• Police Officer
• Crime Scene Analyst
• Prison Officer
• Probation Officer
• Criminal Intelligence Analyst
• Community Development Worker
• Drug Policy Adviser

Skills required in criminology

Solving complicated and tricky criminal cases with utmost precision requires many skills. These skills can be developed over time when pursuing criminology courses, or your work experience will help brush up on these essential skills.

#1. Analytical skills

Your ability to predict a situation can be beneficial when solving complicated crime situations to produce results.

#2. Attention to detail

Collecting data from the crime spot is critical. You must be very attentive and look into the details. The entire process of collecting data must be well organized and clean.

#3. Research skills

Once you know the techniques and have collected all the details, you can start research which is an integral part of an investigation. Knowledge of computers is the key to good research. You must know how to use computers and the internet to collect the necessary information.

#4. Communication and observational skills

Criminologists must have written and oral communication skills. It will help them interact with people and share insights with colleagues. As a criminologist, you will have to write reports, ask questions and convey information. Hence, observational skills are needed to draw conclusions. Additionally, you must note small changes, actions, or movements of the offender.

#5. Integrity and ethics

Since criminologists work with sensitive information, they must be aware of ethics and integrity to perform their job successfully.

#6. Collaboration

Criminologists may need to share data or information between various groups and discuss projects. It requires strong collaboration skills.

#7. Problem-solving

Criminologists face challenges in day-to-day work life. They need to have a presence of mind and a strong will to solve any criminal activity problems. A criminologist can offer solutions to complex social issues.

Key takeaways

• Select a university of your choice from the wide range of options available for you and a program that suits you best. 
• As a criminologist, you can control and eliminate the increasing crime rates in the coming years.
• Upon completing a criminology degree, you can get successfully employed in the intelligence departments, the crime branch of the police forces, or as a medical examiner. 
• It is a rapidly growing career field; you can reach new heights with hard work and commitment. 

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FAQs

Question 1: Are criminology courses interesting to study?

Answer: As a matter of fact, yes! Criminology courses are very interesting to study, giving you opportunities to learn, grow, and understand how to overcome challenges.

Question 2: Will I have a successful career as a criminologist?

Answer: Yes, criminologists have a pretty successful career with both government and corporate organizations. As a matter of fact, a career as a criminologist will pay you well.

Question 3: What are the skills needed to be a criminologist?

Answer: All in all, you need to have good problem-solving skills, analytical skills, verbal and written skills, and so on. In addition to these, you also need to have the utmost integrity and ethics while studying this course.