Criminology is a discipline which explores the nature, extent, management, causes, control, consequences and prevention of criminal behaviour. Focusing on individual and group criminal activities, perpetrator psychology and rehabilitation methods, the study of criminology can lead you down a rich and rewarding career path.
Criminal psychology is a field that allows you to give back to the community in innumerable ways, equipping you with knowledge on cultures of crime, neighbourhood dynamics of crime, terrorism, forensic psychology, criminal justice, and more.
Taking a criminal psychology course opens up a world of opportunity when it comes to working within the police force, prisons, youth services, and voluntary sectors. You may also enter the criminal justice field in roles such as court custody officers and drug or alcohol workers, or maybe you’ll develop an interest in forensic science?
With minimal entry requirements beyond A-levels, criminal psychology can be studied by anyone who has a passion for serving the community. By taking a criminal psychology course, you can begin your journey into an exciting and worthwhile career, or upskill in your existing role in order to provide a higher level of service to the community.
By studying criminal psychology, you will gain a thorough understanding of public policies and their impact on society. Skills developed include critical observation, analytical and investigative thinking, and attention to detail. Through these in-person or online courses, you will develop a deep knowledge of research methods, the British Criminal Justice System, the causes of criminal behaviour, reasoned arguing skills, making ethical judgements, critical thinking, report writing and data interpretation. With a focus on real-life criminal justice problems, criminological and psychological theories, and potential solutions, you will gain the skills necessary to tackle some of society’s biggest issues.
You can choose to take a criminal psychology course in a full-time or part-time capacity to complement your lifestyle. Distance learning is available, as are university-based courses. From understanding common mental health issues to offender profiling and working with eyewitness testimony, you will come away with valuable skills to give back to the community.
From online learning courses to university-based classes, criminal psychology can be taken at any level that suits you. There are a number of criminal psychology courses available in the UK, with additional certifications such as a psychology degree also being available in bundle courses:
You can do a lot with a certificate or degree in criminal psychology. Such qualifications can open up doors to a number of careers including:
Click here for a guide on how to become a criminal psychologist.
