If you have given any consideration to attaining a criminology degree in order to pursue a vocation within the field, you may be wondering what types of jobs with a degree in criminology you will be able to attain. By reading the information found below, you can obtain an answer to this question and several others that pertain to the subject of careers in criminology.
Criminology – A Brief Overview
Criminology is a field that pertains to the study of both the criminal justice system and law enforcement. Typically, individuals who seek careers in the criminal justice sector will begin by obtaining a criminology degree.
1. Criminologist
Criminologists are individuals responsible for examining all aspects of crime. Additionally, these individuals work to develop strategies that can prevent criminal acts and reduce criminal recidivism. To accomplish these objectives, criminologists examine statistics and identify patterns while examining the incidence of crime in context of variables such as location and demographics. Research plays a very primary role in the work done by the criminologist. They can work at the federal, state, or local level. In some cases, a criminologist might work for a law enforcement agency or privately funded think tank. In discussing the salary a criminologist can expect to earn, Timothy Roufa points out that these individuals can expect to bring in an annual income ranging from $40,000 to $122,000. Variables that can affect pay rate include education level, employer, and the specific job type. The average annual pay rate for individuals in this field is $72,000.
2. Patrol Officer
The most popular career for individuals within the criminology sector is that of a patrol officer. Patrol officers fulfill a plethora of roles, including the issuing of traffic citations and the investigation of minor crimes as well as traffic crashes. Additionally, patrol officers may assist citizens as they patrol the sidewalks and streets of their local communities. Individuals who wish to hold this position must go through an extensive training and certification process. In some cases, a department will sponsor its most qualified candidates such that they can attain the necessary training through a local or state police academy. Patrol officers can expect to earn about $58,000 annually.
3. Paralegal
Paralegals are individuals who work with attorneys by assisting them in the preparation of legal documents and other matters that prepare them for trials. To accomplish these objectives, the paralegal provides research assistance and investigates claims so lawyers will know how to proceed in a specific case. In some cases, the paralegal performs the same types of duties as the attorney, except that they do not deliberate in the courtroom or practice law independently. The average salary a paralegal can expect to earn is $53,000 annually.
Other Considerations
There are several types of jobs with a degree in criminology that an individual can pursue, and the three listed above are just a few of the many. Some other vocational positions that an individual might pursue include that of a probation officer, detective, or legal secretary.
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Conclusion
If you have given any consideration to the pursuit of a career in the field of criminology, you should know that there are a plethora of rewarding positions you could attain. Now that you have a basic understanding of the types of jobs with a degree in criminology you can pursue, you can begin determining which vocational path would be most appropriate or ideal for you.