Many organizations, such as federal or local agencies, seek qualified graduates with degrees in criminal psychology. This degree helps people understand how a criminal's mind works. Curricula also cover the legal systems in place to prevent and address all kinds of crime.
Criminal psychology degree-holders might work in law enforcement, corrections, or criminal investigation. A bachelor's degree in criminal psychology typically fulfills the education requirements for one of these high-profile careers.They may also work in forensic psychology with an advanced degree in criminal psychology.
Learners who want to work specifically in law enforcement should look for a hands-on degree that offers fieldwork. Students more interested in why people commit crimes may enjoy a degree with a psychology emphasis more.
This page ranks the best criminal psychology degrees. Learn about degree types, salary potentials, and careers for graduates.
What Are the Best Criminal Psychology Degrees?
Prospective students should look for the degree that provides them with the flexibility and adaptability necessary for them to pursue their academic and personal goals. The best programs provide high-quality education and are also affordable.
The list below features the schools that do not just have the best programs but are also the best choices for student satisfaction, affordability, and value. Check out the best criminal psychology degrees below.
What Kind of Criminal Psychology Degree Should You Get?
A degree in criminal psychology prepares learners to work in diverse fields, including law enforcement, corrections, and criminal justice. However, since these fields vary, students should research degrees that provide coursework in their career of interest.
In addition, a bachelor's degree should fit into learners' current life commitments. Working students can benefit from programs that provide both high academic quality and a flexible learning format. Our list of the best schools for criminal psychology includes both on-campus and online degrees, so you can find a program that works for your schedule.
Our list of degrees includes schools that offer both quality and affordability. Students unsure about which degree to pursue to meet their goals can look at our ranking of the best online colleges and universities.
Accredited Online College Programs
Explore our featured online programs and find the right match for you today.
How Much Money Do People Make With a Degree in Criminal Psychology?
A bachelor's degree in criminal psychology prepares students for many careers. Average salaries and the potential for job growth vary by the exact career degree-holders decide to pursue. People with many years of experience and additional education often earn higher salaries.
Graduates can become detectives and criminal investigators. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), these professionals earn a median annual salary of $91,100. Criminal psychology degree-holders can also work as correctional treatment specialists. These specialists earn median salaries of $61,800 annually. Graduates of a bachelor's degree in criminal psychology program can also become police officers. Police officers make a median salary of $72,280 per year.
The BLS projects jobs for in law enforcement and corrections to grow 3% from 2022-2032, which is about as fast as the national average for all occupations. This growth amounts to the addition of 2,400 corrections jobs and 23,800 police and detective jobs.
What can you do with a degree in criminal psychology?
With a degree in criminal psychology, graduates can pursue a variety of careers. They might work as a crime analyst, FBI agent, correctional case manager, corrections treatment specialist, probation officer, detective, or police officer. Degree-holders may also become a mental health counselor or forensic psychologist, with additional education.
Many criminal psychology jobs focus on uncovering the psychological motivations that occur in the commission of crimes. Professionals may interview criminals or evaluate crime scenes to create a profile to assist law enforcement or to prevent crimes from occurring. Graduates could work for a local law enforcement office, a mental institution, or the National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime.
What Are the Requirements for a Bachelor's Degree in Criminal Psychology?
To become a criminal psychologist, students take courses in many disciplines. After earning a bachelor's degree, students must earn a Ph.D. in psychology to become licensed psychologists.
Bachelor's in criminal psychology curricula include psychology and sociology courses. Students also take advanced coursework in criminal behavior and abnormal psychology. A high-quality degree in criminal psychology also includes hands-on, experiential classes. Some programs offer pathways to professional licensure with organizations like the Society for Police and Criminal Psychology.
Admittance to a bachelor's program in criminal justice requires a high school or GED diploma. Applicants should demonstrate strong communication, analytical, and critical thinking skills. Many schools request a high school GPA of at least 2.5. Some schools require SAT or ACT scores.
