The first step toward a career in sociological criminology is to earn a bachelor’s degree in sociology, psychology, or criminal justice. Students who want to teach or do research usually get a Ph.D. in one or more fields. Before starting work, some regions require sociological criminology internships and licensing.
Criminology majors often take social science courses to learn about deviant behavior and social issues that contribute to crime. Students who major in psychology or sociology typically learn research methods such as statistics, crime theories, and reporting methods. They might major in one field and pursue the other as a side interest.
Sociological criminologists look into how social issues contribute to criminal behavior and how to reduce the number of crimes committed. To aid law enforcement investigations, they may create profiles of people who commit specific types of crimes. Deviant behavior is also studied in sociological criminology in terms of race, gender, age, and social class. These criminologists could look into how drugs and alcohol affect juvenile delinquency, as well as how juvenile crime relates to adult crimes.
Work to improve the effectiveness of correctional institutions is also included in this field. Sociological criminology examines various methods of punishment and rehabilitation. The biological, environmental, and psychological factors that contribute to incarceration may be broken down in these studies.
These professionals may work for local, state, or federal government agencies to develop crime-prevention reform strategies. Some criminologists work for private law firms, analyzing social factors or personality disorders that are associated with abnormal behavior. Jobs in jails, prisons, and rehabilitation centers may also be available, where programs are evaluated to determine their effectiveness. An internship in a law enforcement agency may be available to help gain criminology experience.
Research methods and theories of normal and deviant behavior are commonly included in university studies. They usually entail investigating various types of crimes as well as the psychological roots of abnormal behavior, such as a criminal’s upbringing or childhood experiences. Courses could cover topics such as how law enforcement interacts with the judicial system and citizens’ constitutional rights. Victims’ rights and how criminal behavior affects them are frequently discussed in studies.