“People want to understand evil. A pointless desire. Evil is like a rainbow. It retreats at the same pace as your approach. Evil is evil because you can't understand it.”
-
In the past few years, true crime shows have been dominating the top ten lists on streamers such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. Docuseries and documentaries about real-life crimes have become the new obsession of millions of Brits. A report from 2021 states that true-crime series released in 2020 and 2021 have cumulatively spent 232 days in Netflix's top 10 list.
Is the fact that we're collectively consumed by entertainment that revolves around crimes that were actually committed against innocent people a good thing? Whether it's positive or not, one thing is certain: criminal behaviour intrigues us.
Criminal activities are so popular that many persons have considered studying criminal psychology and making a career as a forensic psychologist to truly understand the motives of the world's most vile minds.
But, what exactly is criminal psychology and what jobs are available for those with degrees in the field? Let's find out the answers in today's article!
You can check out the most effective psychology tutor on superprof here.
What is Criminal Psychology?
As one of the most intriguing subdisciplines of psychology, criminal psychology is perfect for persons who like to investigate crimes and explore the psychological tendencies of others. But, what exactly is criminal psychology? In the simplest of terms, criminal psychology or criminological psychology is the study of views, thoughts, intentions, reactions, and actions of criminals and those suspected of illegal behaviour.
Criminal or forensic psychologists ask themselves the question, why do criminals do what they do?
Criminal psychology is the perfect marriage of the criminal justice and psychology sectors. Job tasks may include interviewing witnesses and analysing the actions of suspects to determine who might be responsible for the crime in question.
To become specialised in the field of criminal psychology, a degree from a qualified further education centre is required. Read the following subheading to learn how that can be accomplished.
How Do You Get a Criminal Psychology Degree?
Has the description of criminal psychology in the previous subheading inspired you? Do you want to try your hand at studying forensic psychology? If so, you're about to embark on a thrilling career!
To become a criminal psychologist or forensic psychologist, there are certain steps that must be followed. Such as? The following are a few stages to consider before beginning to work in the sector of criminal psychology:
- Pass the GCSEs and A-Levels at a secondary school level with subjects relevant to criminal psychology such as Maths and Biology,
- Complete a Bachelor's degree (BSc) in forensic or criminal psychology at a qualified university,
- Gain work experience through an internship to become registered by governing authorities in the UK,
- Start looking for jobs!
To get an idea of where criminal psychology or forensic psychology may be studied in the UK, let's consider two higher education centres that offer relevant BSc or undergraduate degree programs.
Manchester Metropolitan University
As one of Manchester's most significant further education centres, the Manchester Metropolitan University boasts great student satisfaction and a plethora of courses. The Forensic Psychology BSc (Hons) undergraduate course is a perfect fit for aspiring psychologists who want to work solving crimes.
This course is a full-time degree program that requires 128 UCAS points and features the following course modules:
- Introduction to police investigations
- Contemporary issues in forensic psychology
- Personal and professional development in psychology
- Theories of crime
- Cognitive psychology
- Biopsychology
All of the individual classes mentioned above help students to acquire the necessary knowledge to become criminal psychologists.
Staffordshire University
Located in Stoke-on-Trent, England, Staffordshire University is a well-known further education centre that has high-quality educators and fantastic facilities. Staffordshire Uni offers the following two courses in criminal psychology:
- Forensic and Criminological Psychology (with a Placement Year) BSc (Hons),
- Forensic and Criminological Psychology BSc (Hons).
Both courses equip students with the skills they need with the only difference being that the first program is a year longer than the other since there's a placement year of studying abroad.
To become eligible for higher-paying and more specialised job positions, after graduating from an undergraduate program, many students consider furthering their education and getting a BSc or PhD in forensic or criminal psychology.
What are Criminal Psychology Jobs?
After a degree from a qualified higher education centre in criminal psychology has been acquired, graduates can start their searching for relevant jobs in the workforce. The following list mentions a few of the most common jobs for those who have experience in criminal psychology:
- Crime Analyst,
- Criminal Profiler,
- Victim Advocate,
- Criminal Psychologist,
- Expert Witness,
- Behavioural Therapist,
- Forensic Psychologist,
- College Professor,
- Case Manager,
- Clinical Psychologist.
It's worth stating that some of the jobs mentioned above need more years of education than others.
While there are various ways to find the previously mentioned employment positions in the sector of forensic psychology, in 2022, we highly recommend searching for jobs on jobhunting websites such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and LinkedIn.
Posts on job hunting websites feature essential details such as the annual salary, the type of position, past education required, and the work tasks.
But, how much can persons working in criminal psychology expect to earn annually? Let's find out the answer in the following subheading!
What is a Criminal Psychology Salary?
Before studying or considering a career as a criminal psychologist, many persons rightfully ask themselves, what is the annual income of someone working in the criminal psychology sector? It's worth stating that the average salary of forensic psychologists depends on the following factors:
- Location,
- Past work experience,
- Education.
For instance, the salary for jobs in criminal psychology is much higher in major UK cities such as London for individuals with past work experience and above-average qualifications.
Nonetheless, based on data from the past few years, the average annual income of forensic psychologists who are starting out is anywhere between £27,000 to £34,000. After some time, criminal psychology experts can expect to make approximately £37,000 to £45,000 in certain employment positions.
If an MSc or PhD degree has been completed, criminal psychology experts may work as professors or clinical psychologists and earn yearly salaries that nearly approach £100,000.
It's important to state that all of the previously mentioned data about income is based on persons who work full-time.
Also, though many criminal psychologists working in the public sector make less money than those working for themselves, they have access to many benefits such as paid vacation and social benefits.
What About Criminal Psychology Tutors?
Studying a further education program can be quite a challenge. There are many exams, complex topics, and loads of studying when engaged in a BSc degree at university. Sometimes the whole experience of higher education is overwhelming and you feel as if you're always one step behind. Is there a solution? Absolutely!
Whether you're studying agriculture or criminal psychology, there are professional and experienced tutors available online in tutoring communities. Hiring a tutor when learning criminal psychology at a higher stage is a great idea for the following reasons:
- Personalised Education: when conducting private courses, academic tutors tailor their lesson plans to the unique needs of the student. No time is wasted since everything discussed during class time serves the direct purpose of the student in question and nobody else.
- Access to Invaluable Suggestions: the vast majority of criminal psychology tutors on sites such as Superprof are educators with years of experience. Therefore, students have quick access to some invaluable study and review tips that can transform their educative experience at uni.
- Flexible Learning: many private tutors offer their students the option to learn either virtually or in person at a time and place most convenient. The flexibility of remedial sessions keeps students learning despite their busy schedules.
While private tutoring may be a fascinating idea, where can students find the best criminal psychology educators? The answer is always Superprof. With more than 19 million professional educators from around the world teaching 1000+ subjects, Superprof is a force to be reckoned with in the sector of online tutoring. When hiring a Superprof to review criminal psychology topics, students enjoy the affordable prices, the variety of tutors available, the brilliant tutor/student support staff, and the easy-to-use lesson booking system.
According to the most updated version of our website, there are currently 74 professional and accredited criminal psychology instructors across the United Kingdom that are ready to teach either face-to-face or virtual learning sessions.
Also, it's worth pointing out that hiring a private criminal psychology tutor isn't solely reserved for university students needing guidance to pass their upcoming exams but also for curious individuals who want to expand their knowledge of diverse topics.
In conclusion, criminal psychology or forensic psychology is a fascinating sector that keeps people on their toes!
Enjoyed this article? Leave a rating!
Loading...
