Criminology degrees provide a background in the causes of crime and the process of criminal justice. Criminology students study deviance, juvenile delinquency, forensic science, investigation, the court system and correctional facilities. Graduates with degrees in criminology can have careers as law enforcement officers, parole officers, attorneys, private investigators and counselors.
Students interested in careers in forensic science can major in this type of criminal justice degree at many universities. These degrees prepare students for employment at law enforcement agencies and laboratories at the local, state and federal levels. Many students who major in forensic science go on to pursue graduate and professional degrees. Forensic science students study sciences like chemistry and genetics but also criminology and law.
Students with general criminal justice degrees are taught communication skills, law and psychology. Careers in criminal justice include being a law enforcement officer, probation officer, private investigator and civic administrator. Criminal justice graduates can also work in other private industries like security firms and insurance companies.
Police science students study things like psychology, law, forensic science, criminology and criminal justice. Police science students must study this wide variety of disciplines because of the nature of police work. Psychology is important because police officers often conduct interrogations, but they must also understand the law and forensics when they are investigating. Many police science students graduate with an associate degree, but others go on to complete four-year degrees. Most police science students become law enforcement officers, but they can pursue other careers as well within criminal justice.
Law degrees are professional graduate degrees that prepare students for careers in law. Law students are taught to write and speak persuasively, to think critically and solve problems in creative ways. Law degrees are some of the most difficult ones to attain in the criminal justice field and can be very expensive. Careers for law school graduates can include attorneys and judges, but students can use the skills they learn in law school in any field.