What Can I Do With a Major In Criminology
As a Criminology Major, you get to study the nature and cause of criminal behavior and how to address, prevent, and investigate it.
Criminology is the scientific and interdisciplinary study of the nature, extent, causes, control, and prevention of criminal behavior in both the individual and society.
Criminology also includes the examination of evidence, hereditary, psychological, and social causes of crime, various modes of investigation, and conviction, and the efficiencies of differing styles of punishment, rehabilitation, and corrections.
*Source: Rutgers.
Career Options, Employers, and Transferable Skills
Career Options, Employers, and Transferable Skills
*Some may require further education or specialization.
Airport Security
ATF Inspector
Bailiff
Border Patrol Agent
Chief Deputy
Child Welfare Caseworker
Corrections Counselor
Corrections Officer
Court Administrator
Court Clerk
Court Reporter
Criminologist
Customs Patrol Officer
Deputy Sheriff
Deputy U.S. Marshall
Detective/Investigator
Drug Enforcement Officer
Evidence Technician
FBI Agent
Federal Protection Officer
Fingerprint Technician
I.R.S. Agent
Immigration Guard
Import Specialist
Law Clerk
Law Librarian
Lawyer
Legal Transcriber
Paralegal
Penologist
Police Dispatcher
Police Officer/Lieutenant
Polygraph Examiner
Postal Inspector
Private Investigator/Consultant
Probation or Parole Officer
Policy Advisor
Psychologist
Secret Service Officer
Security Consultant
Security Officer
Serology Technician
Social Worker
Special Agent, Customs
Special Agent, FBI
Teacher/Professor
Warden
Youth Counselor
Types of Employers
Private & Non-Profit Organizations
Adoption and Child Care Agencies
Banks
Border Patrol
College/Universities
Correctional Institutions
Education Institutions
Financial Service Companies
Hospitals
Labor Unions
Mental Health Institutions
Real Estate Agencies
Religious Organizations
Resort Hotels
Retail Stores
Social Service Agencies
Substance Abuse Clinics
Government Agencies
Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms
CIA/FBI
Civil Rights Commission
Criminal Courts
County Probation Department
Customs & Immigration
Department of Agriculture
Department of Insurance
Division of Youth and Family Services
Drug Enforcement Administration
Family & Juvenile Courts
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Communications Commission
Federal Trade Commission
Foreign Service
Health and Human Services
Immigration & Naturalization Service
Justice Departments
Labor Department
Military Police
National Security Agency
Parole & Probation Departments
Peace Corps/VISTA
Police Departments - Local & State
Public Defenders Office
Security Organizations
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Private & Non-Profit Organizations
Adoption and Child Care Agencies
Banks
Border Patrol
College/Universities
Correctional Institutions
Education Institutions
Financial Service Companies
Hospitals
Labor Unions
Mental Health Institutions
Real Estate Agencies
Religious Organizations
Resort Hotels
Retail Stores
Social Service Agencies
Substance Abuse Clinics
Government Agencies
Alcohol, Tobacco & Firearms
CIA/FBI
Civil Rights Commission
Criminal Courts
County Probation Department
Customs & Immigration
Department of Agriculture
Department of Insurance
Division of Youth and Family Services
Drug Enforcement Administration
Family & Juvenile Courts
Federal Bureau of Prisons
Federal Communications Commission
Federal Trade Commission
Foreign Service
Health and Human Services
Immigration & Naturalization Service
Justice Departments
Labor Department
Military Police
National Security Agency
Parole & Probation Departments
Peace Corps/VISTA
Police Departments - Local & State
Public Defenders Office
Security Organizations
U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
U.S. Postal Inspection Service
Transferable Skills
Possesses proficiency in interpersonal communication and networking
Conducts and explains sociological research clearly
Establishes and maintains rapport
Knows community resources
Maintains composure in stressful situations
Displays sensitivity to and understanding of human development and behavior
Understands sociocultural forces impacting human behavior
Possesses awareness of the processes involved in dynamic person-environment interactions
Research Skills
Operates and uses information derived from computers
Evaluates, integrates and applies knowledge
Uses a computer to derive necessary information
Observes and analyzes introspectively
Develops strong quantitative and statistical skills
Problem-Solving Skills
Evaluates problems and makes appropriate decisions
Analyzes concepts, definitions, arguments, and complex problems
Organizes ideas, deals with questions of value, and extracts information
Distinguishes fine differences between views and discovers common ground
Generates ideas and formulates solutions
Communication Skills
Interprets and clearly explains psychological research and tests of all types
Presents ideas through well-constructed, systematic arguments
Listens and responds to others objectively
Expresses a distinctive view and explains difficult material
Eliminates ambiguities and vagueness in communication
Establishes and maintains rapport through interpersonal communication skills
Articulates problem-solving and goal-oriented results
Experiential Learning
- Volunteering in ride-along programs at local police departments
- Answering a crisis hotline and supporting callers
- Interning at a juvenile detention center
- Serving as an advocate for rape and child abuse victims
- Participating in the U.S. Marshals internship program
Professional Associations
- Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences
acjs.org - American Society of Criminology
asc41.com - Association of Certified Fraud Examiners
acfe.com - Association of Crime Scene Reconstruction
acsr.org - National Association of Police Organizations
napo.org - National Criminal Justice Association
ncja.org - National Sheriffs’ Association
sheriffs.org - The American Correctional Association,
corrections.com - The International Association of Crime Analysts,
iaca.net
Enhancing Your Employability
Here are ways to improve your job prospects:
- Join relevant student organizations to develop leadership skills.
- Participate in internships and field experience placements.
- Add a minor or double major.
- Become active in alumni and/or mentor networks.
- Plan on a graduate degree for advancement.
Contact Us
To make a career counseling appointment or for additional assistance in our services, call us at 904-819-6286 or email us using the button below.