Criminal Law vs. Criminology Degrees: Career Paths and Job Opportunities

Are you fascinated by the investigative work seen in shows like ‘True Detective’, ‘CSI: Crime Scene Investigation’, or ‘Sherlock Holmes’? If you have always wanted to step into the shoes of a detective or crime analyst, a degree in Criminal Law or Criminology is your gateway to becoming a key player in solving, understanding, and preventing crime.

While both Criminology and Criminal Law revolve around the justice system, they each focus on distinct perspectives. Understanding these core differences is essential before you select your academic specialization and long-term career path.

Criminology focuses on analyzing criminal behavior and motivations to develop effective crime prevention strategies. It examines societal trends, the impact of crime on communities, and the evaluation of rehabilitation programs to determine how they can be optimized for better social outcomes.

Criminal Law centers on the legal framework governing offenses, including criminal codes, prosecution, court trials, and sentencing. Its primary objective is to evaluate evidence, determine legal culpability, and ensure appropriate consequences for those found guilty of violating the law.

To help you get started, here are a few world-class universities we recommend for pursuing a degree in Criminal Law or Criminology:

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• , the Netherlands
• , Belgium
• , Cyprus

Explore the most sought-after careers in criminology and their corresponding average salary expectations in the US, according to recent data from PayScale:

1. Parole/Probation Officer – 43,000 USD/year

Parole and probation officers perform essential duties within the justice system. While their roles are similar, probation officers supervise individuals in lieu of incarceration, whereas parole officers oversee offenders who have been released after serving a prison sentence. Below are some of their primary responsibilities:

• Work with offenders/criminals and create a plan to reintegrate them in our society
• Help them find a place to live, employment or take treatment for mental health issues if it’s necessary
• Meet with offenders and administer drug tests
• Monitor and evaluate their overall progress

2. Criminal Psychologist – 57,600 USD/year

• Study criminals and crimes in order to understand why they break the law
• Evaluate offenders and establish what’s the risk of recidivism
• Work with law enforcement, making psychological assessments of suspects or criminals; this is often called offender or criminal profiling
• Counsel criminal offenders

3. Private Investigator/Detective – 53,300 USD/year

• Conduct interview with people to collect information and identify patterns
• Research information (on the internet or using other resources) to learn more about the suspect(s)
• Perform surveillance: follow suspects, record them and their activities
• Make reports and keep clients up to date with the progress/findings of the investigation

4. Crime Scene Investigator/Forensic Investigator – 46,000 USD/year

• Work with the police and attend crime scenes
• Preserve the crime scene and look for evidence that can be used in a criminal case
• Collect and sort different types of evidence
• Write reports about your findings and conclusions

If you are interested in the legal side of justice, here are some of the most popular and rewarding career paths in Criminal Law:

5. Criminal Lawyer – 79,800 USD/year

• Represent/defend clients facing criminal charges during trials in court
• Research criminal codes and procedural law
• Conduct investigation and interview witnesses to prepare a defence
• Draft, file, and argue motions and appeals
• Negotiate lesser charges with the prosecution

7. Legislator – 52,000 USD/year

• Change existing legislation or work on passing new laws
• Take part in debates and discuss proposed legislation
• Work on budgets and policies
• Study Criminal Law or Criminology and you’ll never have a dull moment

Choosing a career in Criminal Law or Criminology guarantees a dynamic, challenging, and fast-paced professional life. While investigations can be demanding, the sense of accomplishment from achieving justice is immensely rewarding.

Working in the field of Criminology and Criminal Law allows you to make a tangible difference by creating safer communities. If you are prepared for a career defined by advocacy and investigation, start your journey today by applying for a specialized degree program.

If studying abroad isn’t an option, you can explore high-quality online degree programs or distance learning courses.