Criminology Careers

Interested in a career in law enforcement? Learn all about the various jobs in criminal justice and criminology, get application and interviewing tips, and find out how much you can expect to earn in your career in criminal justice.
Police badge
Is a Career in a Police Department Right for You?
Police recruits sitting at attention during a ceremony at the police academy.
Police Academy Overview
Young people taking the Police Officer Certification Exam
How to Study for the Police Certification Exam
NYC policeman's shoulder patch.
How Might Your Career Progress as a Police Officer?
Epic Flooding Inundates Houston After Hurricane Harvey
9 Must-Have Soft Skills for Police Officers
Crime Scene Investigator Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More
An FBI agent in the field
A List of Federal Law Enforcement Jobs and Criminal Justice Careers
Image shows two women on a couch, where one is crying and the other is other her tissues and has her hand on her shoulder. Text reads: "A day in the life of a victim advocate: Counsel crime victims and witnesses; stand by victims during court proceedings; transport victims to court; assist victims when filing protective orders; median annual salary: $49,470"
Victim Advocate Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More
A day in the life of a police detective: Observe suspects and examine records, participate in raids and arrests, gather facts and collect evidence for criminal cases, write detailed reports on findings
Detective Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More
A day in the life of an evidence technician: Perform lab tests and analyses; prepare and explain details reports; catalog and preserve evidence; record observations of the crime scene
Evidence Technician Job Description: Salary, Skills & More
A day in the life of a police officer: Patrol areas by car, motorcycle, horse or on foot; direct traffic for special events, traffic signal malfunctions and traffic accidents; assist detectives, crime scene investigators and evidence technicians in processing crime scenes; transport prisoners and serve arrest warrants and subpoenas
Police Officer Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More
Learn About the Psychological Tests and Screening for Police Officers
Close up of a police badge
Background Checks and Investigations for Criminal Justice Jobs
Police Badge
The Benefits of Joining a Police Union and Why They Exist
police officers on patrol
Here Is a Look at the Performance Measures for Police Officers
Officers standing outside a precinct
What a Day in the Life of a Cop Is Like
Recruits from the Indiana Law Enforcement Academy participate in physical training
What You Need to Do to Get Ready for a Law Enforcement Career
Handcuffed man standing in courtroom facing the criminal justice system
What to Know If You're Pursuing Criminal Justice Career
Closeup of two fingerprints on paper
What Is Criminology?
Dumpster and Crime scene tape
Learn About the Modern History of Forensic Science in Criminology
A resume stretching all the way from applicant to interviewer
How to Build A Resume to Get Hired In Criminology or Criminal Justice
Corrections officer searching a jail inmate
Great Criminal Justice Careers that Don't Require a Degree
African American policewoman writing in notebook
See Your Job Options If You Have a Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Evidence on desk
What Can You Do With a Bachelor's Degree in Criminology?
J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building FBI Emblem
Here Is How You Can Become an FBI Special Agent
Rows of trainees standing in formation on a grassy field at the policy academy.
What to Expect on Your First Day at the Police Academy
Scientist pipetting samples into eppendorf tubes
Types of Degrees Necessary to Work in Forensic Science
This illustration describes a day in the life of a secret service agent standing at a car. Text reads: "A day in the life of a secret service agent: Conduct in-depth investigations. Do route and event security planning. Undercover work. Must pass extensive background check and in-depth polygraph exam.
Do You Have What It Takes for a Career as a Secret Service Agent?
Forensic Scientist Examining a Murder Weapon
How to Get the Experience You Need for a New Career
Police Detective at Crime Scene
How to Become a Police Detective
Rear View Of A Police Officer
How to Ace the Basic Abilities Test for Criminal Justice Careers
SWAT police unit dropping from a helicopter in the sunset
Here's How to Become a SWAT Team Member
Typing on laptop close-up. Man working on computer
How to Earn a Great Salary Working in Digital Forensics
Forensic Scientist Examining a Murder Weapon
What Kind of Jobs Can You Get in Criminal Justice and Criminology?
U.S Park Police
Great Uniformed Police Jobs with the Federal Government
Inside the NSA Security Operations Center
Learn About National Security Agency Jobs Which Gathers Intelligence
Interviewer looking over an applicants cover letter and resume.
Take Your First Step Towards a Career in Criminal Justice
Older male police officer standing by patrol car
Are You Too Old to Become a Police Officer?
Police badge
Tips on How to Choose the Right Law Enforcement Career
Police officer writing a ticket
Can a Police Officer Transfer Laterally to a New Department?
Job interview - black woman and older white man
Tips on Answering Scenario-Based Interview Questions in Criminal Justice
Criminal investigation department
Answering Experience-Based Interview Questions in Criminal Justice
FBI agents at a checkpoint
Here Are the Minimum Requirements to Be a Federal Special Agent
a police dispatcher in front of multiple computer monitors
A List of the Best Entry-Level Jobs in the Criminal Justice System
Criminal Profiling Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More
Image shows a bar graph with retro, 80s colors. Text reads: "Jobs in the forensic science field: Arson investigators ($56,000), Forensic DNA Analyst ($64,000), Polygraph Examiner ($95,000), Forensic Engineers ($85,000), Forensic ballistic expert ($42,000).
Fascinating Careers in Forensic Science
Criminologist Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More
U.S. CBP Marine Interdiction Agents
Customs and Border Protection Marine Interdiction Agent Job Profile
Police and SWAT team members managing a hostage situation, man with blood on shirt bring released
Learn About the Job of a Hostage Negotiator
U.S. CBP Aviation Enforcement Agents
Customs and Border Protection Aviation Enforcement Agent Jobs
Detective With Recorder Asking Man at Police Station
How to Investigate Cold Cases as a Career
CBP agriculture specialist
U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agriculture Specialist Job Info
U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers
Explore a Career as a Customs and Border Protection Officer
CBP OAM Air Interdiction Agents patrol the skies over the U.S.
Customs and Border Protection Aviation Interdiction Agent Jobs
This illustration shows a day in the life of an AFOSI special agent including "Annual salary: between $47,000-$80,000," "Gathering intelligence and threat assessment," "Conducting and assisting in criminal investigations involving Air Force personnel and civilians," Maintaining security of technology and information," and "Providing investigating services around the world to Air Force assets."
Want to Work for Air Force Special Investigations (AFOSI)?
A day in the life of an FBI agent: giving courtroom testimonies, speaking a second language, interviewing victims, witnesses, and suspects, investigating various crimes
FBI Agent Career Information
A day in the life of an NCIS special agent: Conducting criminal investigations, making arrests, counterterrorism operations, extensive travel for long periods of time
What's a Job With the NCIS Really Like?
"A special agent overlooks the Shiprock land formation on the Navajo Nation in New Mexico. The reservation, the largest in the country, is one of about 200 federally recognized Indian reservations where the FBI has investigative responsibilities."
Being a U.S. Department of State Diplomatic Security Special Agent
Police crime scene tape with the words "Police Line Do Not Cross".
What Are the Most Interesting Jobs in Criminal Justice?
A day in the life of a police dispatcher: Deal with people who are stressed, computer skills are a must; no college necessary, keep track of available law enforcement, compassion is key
Police Dispatcher Job Description: Salary, Skills, & More