How to Become a Forensic Criminologist: Education Requirements & Salary

<h2 id="section---CareerAtAGlance">Career at a Glance</h2> <p>Forensic criminology is a sociological discipline that is concentrated on understanding the mind of a criminal and the science of crime. A career as a forensic criminologist can be an exciting and rewarding role as you help victims of crime seek justice and stop criminals who are at large. The table below provides an overview of a career as a forensic criminologist. </p> <p /> <table border="1"><tr><td> <b>Degree Required</b> </td><td> Bachelor's required and master's degree/PhD preferred</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Education Field of Study</b> </td><td> Sociology <br /> Criminology <br /> Psychology</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Certification</b></td><td> Licensure depends on state</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Key Responsibilities</b> </td><td> Testifying in court; carrying out research; analyzing data; publishing findings; examining behavioral patterns; collaborating with other professionals on sociological issues</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Key Skills</b></td><td> Social perceptiveness, eye for detail, good active listening skills, accuracy, methodical, analytical, communication skills</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Median Salary (2020)</b> </td><td> $86,110 (sociologists)*</td></tr> <tr><td> <b>Job Outlook (2020-2030)</b> </td><td> 5% (sociologists)*</td></tr> </table><p><i>Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)</i> </p> <h3 id="section---WhatIsForensicCriminology">What Is Forensic Criminology?</h3> <p>Forensic criminology encompasses two disciplines, criminology and forensic science. Criminology is defined as the study of crime and criminals. Forensic science is the study of evidence discovered at crime scenes and the application of science to crime and law. A forensic criminologist is also regarded a social scientist. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatDoesAForensicCriminologistDo">What Does a Forensic Criminologist Do?</h3> <p>A forensic criminologist job role typically depends on the place of work. Forensic criminologists may be called to court as expert witnesses; they may educate jurors about the techniques used for their analysis and testify their findings under oath. Forensic criminologists working in university settings may carry out research and publish results in scientific journals to add to the body of scientific knowledge that exists. They may evaluate lawsuits pertaining to crimes and get involved in policy-making or analyze statistics and crime rates. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatDoINeedToStudyToBecomeAForensicCriminologist">What Do I Need to Study to Become a Forensic Criminologist?</h3> <p>To become a forensic criminologist you will need to obtain a bachelor's degree. Typically, criminologists study criminal justice, psychology or sociology for the bachelor's degree and then go on to study criminological studies such as forensic criminology, criminology or forensic science for a master's degree. Forensic criminologists can also come from a wide range of backgrounds in such settings as the criminal justice system, public health, nursing, psychology and law. Some states require criminologists to obtain licensure; you will need to check your state's licensure requirements. Similar to many other occupations, work experience and internships will improve employability. </p> <h3 id="section---HowMuchDoesAForensicCriminologistEarn">How Much Does a Forensic Criminologist Earn?</h3> <p>Although the BLS does not report specific data regarding forensic criminologists, it does provide data for sociologists, which would include forensic criminologists. The BLS reported that in 2020, sociologists earned a median salary of $86,110 annually. In 2020, the lowest 10% of sociologists earned less than $52,640 while the highest 10% earned more than $143,020. According to <i>Payscale.com</i>, criminologists earned a median salary of $48,682 as of 2021. </p> <h3 id="section---WhatCareerPathsCanITakeAsAForensicCriminologist">What Career Paths Can I Take as a Forensic Criminologist?</h3> <p>Forensic criminologists are open to a range of career opportunities. As a forensic criminologist you can seek employment with the police force or state and federal agencies, like the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) and secret service. Forensic criminologists can also go into education and teaching, medical investigations, corrections, research and policy studies.</p>