According to Dr. Edwin Sutherland's "Principles of Criminology," "criminology is the body of knowledge regarding crime and delinquency as social phenomena. It includes within its scope the processes of making laws, breaking laws and reacting to the breaking of laws." A criminology degree prepares students for careers in any number of fields dealing with crime, from the legislature to the streets to prisons. Some careers may require additional formal education beyond an undergraduate degree in criminology: forensic experts and attorneys, for example.

Law Enforcement Officer

A criminology degree can lead to careers including police officer, police detective, marshal, customs official, immigration officer, prison guard, prison warden and game warden. In the United States, career options are available at the local, state and federal levels. A law enforcement officer includes anyone licensed by the state to make an arrest.
Forensic Specialist

A criminology degree will prepare students in basic theory of forensic investigation. Forensic specialists analyze evidence collected at the crime scene. Their specializations vary from criminal laboratory analysts, who examine fingerprints, hair follicles and DNA, to forensic odontologists, who usually have a graduate dental degree and work part-time as dentists and part-time in forensics.
Careers In Court

Undergraduate criminology programs will not fully prepare students to become attorneys or judges. However, many other roles are involved in the judicial process. Court reporters are tasked with transcribing the spoken word of all official parties in a judicial proceeding. Court clerks perform administrative duties for a court system, such as scheduling trials, maintaining records and, in some jurisdictions, swearing in witnesses and hearing testimony. Paralegals assist attorneys with legal research, drafting judicial memos and legal administrative duties for clients.
Private Investigator

A criminology degree opens up careers in private practice as well. Private investigators' clients include attorneys seeking witness or suspect surveillance, insurance companies suspicious of fraud and individuals concerned for their safety seeking protection services.
Counselor

A criminology degree will address causes of crime and methods of rehabilitation. A counselor may work with at-risk youth in high-crime areas in an effort to decrease the rate of crime. Or he may work with offenders during and after prison sentences to rehabilitate offenders and curb recidivism.
Public Policy

Criminology students who are interested in politics but do not enjoy the spotlight might consider a career in criminal policy. Policy advisers take part in forming strategies to help legislative efforts achieve their intended effect. Policy analysts review data to determine the degree to which legislative policy has achieved the intended effect.

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