What Is a Criminal Psychology Degree?Criminal psychology examines the thoughts, feelings, events, and behavior of offenders. Graduates with a criminal psychology degree often work in various branches of the criminal justice system, including law enforcement, the court system, and corrections. Other graduates work at mental health facilities, nonprofits, government organizations, or private practices. Show
Aspiring criminal psychologists often begin their educational journey with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, clinical psychology, counseling, or forensic psychology. Psychology and counseling programs frequently offer relevant concentrations in criminology or criminal justice. Criminal justice bachelor’s graduates earn an average salary of $56,000 annually, according to PayScale. Criminal psychology students interested in careers as administrators, forensic psychologists, or academics often pursue master’s or doctoral degrees. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), psychologists enjoy promising job growth projections and earned an annual median salary of $80,370 in 2019. Featured Online ProgramsExplore program formats, transfer requirements, financial aid packages, and more by contacting the schools below. Why Get a Degree in Criminal Psychology?Criminal psychology degree programs often boast fascinating, interdisciplinary curricula that increase student understanding of society and criminal behavior. Graduates can pursue a variety of exciting careers that offer strong salary potential. The following list outlines several benefits of earning a criminal psychology degree.
Career and Salary Outlook for Criminal Psychology GraduatesCriminal psychology graduates can qualify for criminal justice careers across the three major areas of the criminal justice system: law enforcement, courts, and corrections. Some criminal psychology bachelor’s degree graduates pursue law enforcement careers, such as crime analyst and FBI agent. Salaries for these positions vary based on work experience and other credentials, but generally range from $47,000-$65,000 annually, according to PayScale. Other criminal justice graduates work within the court system as victim advocates or forensic psychologists. Victim advocates often hold bachelor’s degrees and earn annual salaries averaging $35,415, while forensic psychologists need doctoral degrees and make about $69,855 annually. Many criminal justice graduates advance their careers and salaries by pursuing advanced degrees or certifications that build expertise in specialized areas.
Criminal Psychology Careers: Median Salaries by Experience
Explore More Criminal Justice Careers Interview with a Criminal Psychology ProfessionalThe following interview with forensic psychiatrist Michael Welner illuminates an intriguing career path at the intersection of medicine, criminology, and psychology. Read Our Interview with a Forensic Psychiatrist Types of Criminal Psychology DegreesAspiring criminal psychology students typically pursue criminal justice degrees or degrees in psychology with concentrations in forensic psychology, criminology, or criminal justice. Bachelor’s degree programs take about four years of full-time study to complete. Graduates qualify for entry- and mid-level positions in corrections, law enforcement, and social work. Leadership careers in criminal justice and psychology often require a master’s or doctoral degree. Master’s degrees usually take about half as long as doctoral degrees to complete, so many students in this field pursue master’s degrees to qualify for career and salary advancement. However, top-level criminal psychologists need a doctorate. The BLS projects a favorable job growth of 14% for psychologists during 2018-2028.
Concentrations in Criminal PsychologyStudents interested in law enforcement or investigative careers often look for degrees in criminal justice with a concentration in forensic psychology. Aspiring psychologists who plan to counsel victims and/or offenders may opt for psychology or counseling degrees with concentrations in criminal justice or forensic psychology. Common criminal justice concentrations include the following:
Available psychology program concentrations may include:
Criminal Psychology CertificationsUndergraduate and professional certificates often take less than a year to earn and cost under $5,000. Earning an undergraduate certificate can help students qualify for entry-level jobs in criminal justice. Graduate certificates typically feature criminal psychology classes in a specialized field or skill area, and usually require students hold bachelor’s degrees in related fields. Full certification and/or licensure by the professional organizations listed below entails multiple steps and requirements beyond education requirements.
Popular Criminal Psychology CoursesCriminal psychology course offerings differ by program, school, and degree-level, but most programs include the foundational courses described below. Courses in this field typically focus on crime origins, best practices for crime prevention, and offender treatment. Some courses draw on diverse disciplines, including counseling, law, biology, and sociology. Criminal psychology program curricula typically require completion of core psychology coursework, concentration-related electives, and capstone projects and/or internships. Internships typically involve supervised hours working directly with clients in a relevant clinical setting, such as a jail, juvenile center, nonprofit agency, or mental health clinic.
Selecting Your Criminal Psychology ProgramStudents should consider several factors when researching prospective criminal psychology programs. The following list outlines several key considerations for learners.
Concentrations/Specializations Students should look for programs that offer specializations or concentrations relevant to their career goals.
Program Length Many programs offer part-time and/or accelerated options. Students should consider their professional and personal obligations before deciding on an appropriate degree timeline and attendance pace.
Online vs. In-Person Many working adults benefit from the flexibility of
online programs, while others prefer the structure and engagement of in-person programs.
Accreditation Programs at regionally accredited schools meet rigorous academic standards and expand employment, financial aid, and education opportunities.
University Resources Students should consider a university’s resources before committing to a program. Potential resources include counseling, career, and financial aid services.
Extracurriculars Schools
offering extracurricular clubs, institutes, and events may provide a richer, more social, and more well-rounded educational experience than schools without them.
Prestige/Reputation Top programs may provide a more rigorous education and garner more attention from
prospective employers than lesser-known programs.
Earning Potential Some schools provide salary data for program graduates. Compare these statistics across different schools to help choose a program with positive returns on investment.
Alumni Network Larger schools typically boast a larger alumni network, although a small but active local network also has great value. Should You Get Your Criminal Psychology Degree Online?Increasingly available and popular, online education allows busy adults to go back to school while still working. Many working professionals earn online degrees to qualify for career transition or advancement. Students can choose from hundreds of online criminal justice degree programs. Online learning gives students the flexibility to balance their studies with personal and professional obligations. However, online students need high levels of self-discipline and accountability to work independently and manage time effectively. Full-time programs require considerable time and energy, so professionals with demanding jobs often choose part-time program options. Meanwhile, students wishing to expedite graduation often choose accelerated programs. Accreditation for Criminal Psychology Schools and ProgramsAccrediting agencies approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) evaluate schools and assign institutional accreditation based on various academic quality measures. The federal government only grants financial aid to qualifying students attending accredited institutions. CHEA’s regional accreditors impose more rigorous standards than national accreditors, so the former holds higher prestige. Regionally accredited schools only recognize degrees and credits from equivalently accredited schools, so students planning to earn advanced degrees should bear this in mind. Regional accrediting agencies include:
Criminal psychology degree programs may also hold programmatic accreditation by the American Psychological Association, a major professional organization that sets standards for the discipline. Frequently Asked Questions
Scholarships for Criminal Psychology ProgramsStudents can take advantage of financial aid opportunities to help offset the costs of tuition, such as grants, loans, and scholarships. Scholarship funds may come from various sources, including school programs, professional organizations, private donors, and governmental programs. We highlight several scholarships for criminal psychology students below.
Additional Reading
Related ReadingMaster’s in Criminal Psychology DegreesSeptember 3, 2021 | Staff Writers A master’s degree in criminal psychology focuses on how psychology applies to criminals and criminal contexts. Criminal psychology master’s programs provide foundational knowledge of clinical… 15 Best Bachelor’s in Criminal Psychology Degrees 2021April 5, 2022 | Staff Writers Our ranking explores the top U.S. criminal psychology degrees of 2021 and provides a detailed guide to program requirements and career tracks. Top Law Schools 2021February 22, 2021 | Staff Writers Interested in pursuing a juris doctor? Explore our list of 2021 JD degrees to find excellent ABA-approved and accredited programs at top law schools. |