Criminology as a field offers a variety of areas to study. While each area deals with crime in some way, they are all varied enough to offer benefits to a number of different career paths.
Applied Criminology vs. Theoretical Criminology
At the most basic level, criminology is the science of crime. However, that definition overlooks the complexity of criminal behavior. Criminology is a multidisciplinary subject, drawing influences from sociology, anthropology and psychology. Criminology comprises two complementary and overlapping categories: theoretical and applied criminology. Theoretical criminology seeks to understand why people commit crimes. Applied criminology, on the other hand, draws upon theories of criminality to decide how to react to crime. In other words, applied criminology focuses on the criminals and victims, and what to do about them.
Facets of Applied Criminology
Just as there are many types of crime, there are many facets of applied criminology. In the course of a master’s degree program, you may study topics such as homeland security, constitutional law, corrections, ethics or the federal criminal justice system. Each of these areas focuses on crime and its effect on society; an online master’s degree in criminal justice is likely to cover all of these areas with programs tailored to working professionals with a variety of educational needs.
One Area of Study in Applied Criminology
Homeland security is a good example of the complexity of the areas of study in applied criminology. One could focus on airport or seaport security, civil defense, border issues, supply chain security or cyberterrorism. Thousands of careers fall under the umbrella of homeland security. According to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, “These are the people who regularly interact with the public, who are responsible for public safety and security, who own and operate our nation’s critical infrastructures and services, who perform research and develop technology, and who keep watch, prepare for and respond to emerging threats and disasters.”
Job Prospects With an Advanced Degree
With an advanced degree in criminal justice, you can pursue a rewarding career in a number of fields, including higher education and research, forensics, homeland security, information technology and social services. You may work for a lab, law enforcement agency or government entity or university. Examples of careers include police detective, forensic scientist or crime scene investigator, but you are by no means limited to just these. The skills that you learn in a criminal justice degree program — such as critical thinking and attention to detail — offer benefits to many other occupations as well.
Learn more about the Lamar University master’s in criminal justice online program.
Sources:
http://www.dhs.gov/our-mission
