The Difference Between Criminology and Criminal Justice

The Difference Between Criminology and Criminal Justice The Difference Between Criminology and Criminal Justice You know youre interested in the field of law enforcement. The idea of getting those who break the law off the streets appeals to you. Maybe you looked into it a little and were immediately overwhelmed by the sheer number of jobs that are available in this field.   Or maybe youve considered furthering your education, going to school to get a degree in some area of law enforcement. Now youre really confused as you realize that there are criminal justice degrees...and criminal justice jobs. And there are criminology degrees and criminology jobs. Whats the difference? Sometimes this question comes from job seekers. Sometimes its from people who are trying to decide on a college major, and sometimes its just from the curious. Whatever the source,  its easy to get confused because the difference is subtle but distinct. So what  is  the difference between criminal justice and criminology? Criminology The key part of the word here is ology, which effectively translates to study of. Criminology is the study of crime, just like psychology is the study of the psyche and sociology is the study of society. Criminology is is a social science and is considered a subset of sociology. Criminologists research, study, analyze, and advise on all aspects of deviant human behavior, from the cause of crimes to their consequences. The study of criminology informs our understanding of how, why, when and where crimes occur and suggests policies and procedures to respond and prevent it. Sub-fields exist under the umbrella of criminology, such as  environmental criminology, which is the study of the relationship between crimes and the environment in which they occur. People tend to act upon and react to societal norms.   Careers in criminology include criminal profiling and forensic psychology. Criminal Justice Criminal justice is essentially the application of criminology. While criminology is the study of crime, criminal justice describes the societal response to crime. The criminal justice system is comprised of multiple components that enforce laws, investigate crimes, try and punish criminals, and rehabilitate those who are convicted. As you can imagine, there are many, many different types of jobs available in this sector, and they overlap with careers in criminology. For example, a forensic psychologist  can be said to work in both criminology and criminal justice because he studies and observes criminal behavior and is often also instrumental in investigating crimes, profiling criminals, and offering insight to trial preparation and jury selection.   Police officers and detectives and investigators are integral components of the criminal justice system. So are corrections officers, wardens, and probation officers. Jobs and careers can range from a police dispatcher in a municipality to a position with the federal government, such as with the FBI.   Which Is Right for You? As you can see, theres pretty much something for everyone so choosing can come down to your interests and talents. And you dont actually have to make a decision between criminal justice and criminology because they cover a great deal of the same ground. The key is to first figure out how youd like to serve your community, then do some research into the education, training, and experience necessary to achieve your goals.