Criminal Justice Vs. Criminology: Choosing the Right Degree Program for Your Law Enforcement Career

Published on: January 3, 2023

If you want to have a hand in fighting crime, there are two routes to take for your education: criminal justice and criminology. While they share many similarities, they have distinct differences, too. Before choosing an educational path, you should take the time to understand each one, so you can choose one best suited to your interests and skills. Let’s take a closer look at the similarities and differences between these two paths of study, so you can make an informed choice.

What Is Criminology?

Criminology studies the social sciences that drive criminal behavior. This study focuses on sociology and psychology to ask why people commit crimes. Trained criminologists will also help criminal justice systems solve crimes by studying the motives and behaviors of criminals.

What Is Criminal Justice?

Criminal justice focuses on studying the justice system and the way in which society responds to crime. This course of study trains students on how to investigate and prevent crime while also looking at correctional procedures that help hold criminals accountable.

What Are the Main Differences Between Criminology and Criminal Justice?

Though both criminology and criminal justice study crime and how to fight it, they differ in many ways, including: 

What You Study 

The primary focus of a criminal justice degree is a study of the justice system and society’s response to crime. It tries to both define crime and address it when it occurs. You will learn the ins and outs of the prison and judicial system, and you will learn how police officers and other law enforcement can legally fight crime in the local community. Study focuses on criminal law and investigations, how the court process works and the social policies that come into play in fighting crimes. You will graduate with a knowledge of how to fight crime.

Criminology studies the “why” behind crimes. It examines the sociological and psychological factors that compel people to break the law. Students who choose this degree path will also study crime and society, how to analyze crime and the theory behind crime and punishment. This course of study focuses on research and understanding why crimes occur, with the goal of using that research to help stop crimes before they start. This course of study includes courses on psychology and sociology in addition to criminal justice training. It also has a more analytical focus than criminal justice.

Their Approach to Crime

In general, criminal justice approaches crime in a reactive manner, punishing people who commit crimes and investigating illegal activities in order to bring criminals to justice. Criminology explores the motives behind crimes and the way society interacts with criminals. It also focuses on understanding crime in order to put methods in place that will prevent it from happening in the first place, while also giving other law enforcement officials tools to find criminals using psychology.

Career Opportunities

The job opportunities available with these two degrees are different. If you major in criminal justice, you can work in law enforcement in several capacities, including: 

• Police officer – Police officers protect their communities by enforcing laws and taking criminals off the streets.
• Probation officer – Probation and correction officers work with criminals after their conviction or release from prison, providing supervision and guidance to help them change.
• Detective – Detectives investigate crimes to find evidence that will allow someone to be convicted.
• FBI agent – FBI agents work for the Federal Bureau of Investigations to investigate and prosecute federal crimes.
• DEA agent – DEA agents work for the Drug Enforcement Administration to help fight the illegal drug trade in the United States.

With criminology training, you can get work in a variety of fields. Some of these roles require additional training or graduate work. Some of the jobs available to those with a criminology degree include:

• Criminologist – Criminologists work with law enforcement to study the “why” of crimes, making it easier to track down criminals by understanding and predicting their behavior.
• Lawyer – Individuals with a criminology degree who also obtain a law degree are uniquely qualified to defend people against criminal accusations or to work as prosecutors in those same cases.
• Private investigator – Private investigators work for individuals or companies to gather, compile and analyze evidence of illegal or unethical behavior.
• Forensic psychologist – A forensic psychologist studies human behavior to create psychological profiles of people who commit crimes to help solve future crimes, provide expert testimony in court or help prevent crimes from occurring.
• Jury consultant – A jury consultant uses their knowledge of human behavior to advise legal teams during a trial.

Similarities Between Criminology and Criminal Justice

Because both criminology and criminal justice are in the same field, they do have some similarities. As you decide which is the right field for you, you should understand these similarities as well. 

What You Study

Both criminology and criminal justice study crime and criminal behavior. While the primary focus is different, both will study how the criminal justice system works, what is considered a crime and how to hold people accountable for their criminal behavior. Both will study theories of criminal behavior, though criminology will dig deeper into this area of study.

Overall Career Field

Another way the two degrees are similar is that they both open the door to work in the field of law and criminal justice. In fact, criminologists and criminal justice professionals work closely together to keep communities safe.

Overall Purpose 

Similar to the career field, the overall purpose of criminology and criminal justice is to train people to prevent and fight crime. The goal is to create safer communities and improve the speed at which criminals are brought to justice.

Which Degree Is Right for You? 

Both criminal justice and criminology will help you do your part in fighting crime. If you want to be hands-on in the field, working directly to fight crime and apprehend guilty parties, then consider a degree in criminal justice. If you find the structure and organization of the criminal justice system, and how the various parts connect to each other, interesting, then criminal justice would be the right choice.

On the other hand, if you are hoping to work behind the scenes in an advisory capacity, then criminology might be the right choice. A criminologist will analyze and report on crimes but is less likely to go into the field to apprehend criminals. Both degree programs are a good choice if you see yourself in law enforcement. The key to choosing one is looking at which career path you best see yourself in and then pursuing the appropriate training.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Criminal Justice Degree?

Criminal justice degrees are typically bachelor's degree programs that take around four years to complete. Some programs offer accelerated learning models that can be completed in a shorter period of time.