Life after receiving a Bachelor’s degree can be an extremely exciting one. From working in your field to learning from industry professionals about how you can get better at your craft, you’re now experiencing the joys of life outside of the classroom.

For the countless men and women who have dedicated their lives to law enforcement, a
Bachelor’s degree used to be what set you apart from your peers. But in today’s working environment, pursuing a Master’s in Criminology can be a tremendously beneficial decision.

Education is likely what got you here in the first place, but it also takes a decent amount of persistence and hard work, too. A Bachelor’s degree is a great place to start, but for some career paths, it’s only a piece of the person you will eventually become. Here’s a breakdown of the pros and cons of working towards a Master’s of Science in Criminology to help you answer the question, “Is a Criminology Degree worth it?”

What is Criminology?

Criminology refers to the scientific study of the nature, extent, causes, control, consequences, and prevention of criminal behavior, both on the individual and social levels.” This interdisciplinary field touches on both social and behavioral sciences, relying on the research of sociologists, psychologists, philosophers, and of course, respected scholars in law.

Criminology falls under the umbrella of sociology, but it also relies on teachings and research from other fields of study such as of biology, statistics, economics, and anthropology. There are several subgroups of study within criminology like feminist criminology, biosocial criminology, and so on.

There will always be a need for highly trained workers in any field, but perhaps even more so in the world of criminal justice. Because this is essentially the study of the criminal mind, specializing in criminology can be an incredibly rewarding decision for those in law enforcement.  

Is a Criminology Degree Worth it?

As time carries on, you may find yourself in a good position with stable employment, and colleagues will look to you as a trusted, knowledgeable coworker — And that’s how life will carry on for most criminal justice professionals.

But as you spend more time working at the same place, your advancement may begin to stagnate. When it comes to researching programs which offer a Master’s in Criminology, there are plenty of factors consider. In fact, a Master’s degree may not make sense for some; but for many already working in criminal justice, there are plenty of good reasons for continuing their education.

Master’s in Criminology — Pros

Studying Criminology has a whole world of opportunities and can even open up new career paths you may not have known existed.

Nearly Automatic Increase in Pay 

One of the biggest reasons professionals in criminal justice say “yes!” to “is a criminology degree worth it?” after years working in the field is increasing their chances of receiving higher compensation. By advancing your education, you are essentially increasing your value as a worker, and employers will pay for valuable workers.

Consider that an average salary for someone in criminal justice with just a Bachelor’s degree in the U.S. is somewhere around $50,000 per year. But after receiving a Master’s in Criminology, these same workers can either become eligible with for better positions or have a convincing bargaining chip when negotiating salary increases. The degree is what can launch these workers into an above average range earning in upwards of $70,000+ per year.

Using Intellect to Help Your Community 

In criminal justice, the aspects of the criminal mind are always evolving, and criminals are also becoming more complex. Degrees for law enforcement, and law enforcement careers, aim to uphold law and order and make our communities safer.

With advancing your education and studying the criminal mind, you’re able to institute real impact with your intellect. Not only can the study of Criminology help solve crimes, but you can also help prevent crime in the first place.

By leveraging research, analytical, and reasoning skills, criminal justice professionals armed with a Criminology degree will always need to stay mentally sharp in the execution of their duties. This mental acuity can be extremely helpful later in life if they are engaged on a regular basis in their day-to-day work.

New Career Opportunities

Another tremendous benefit of getting a Master’s in Criminology is the world of new career opportunities which become available.

One of the most common opportunities includes becoming eligible for positions with more responsibilities and higher pay grades. These can often be leadership roles within the same organization or moving on to a new career such as going from the West Virginia State Troopers to government agencies like the DEA or FBI.

A degree in Criminology also allows the chance for those in law enforcement to explore a path to working as a legal professional, such as a paralegal. Even beyond that, many who study Criminology choose to move on to law school and become lawyers.  

Expanded Professional Network 

Lastly, studying Criminology can also provide new opportunities to grow your professional network. Because most programs which offer a Master’s in Criminology often employ educators with extensive field-experience, staying engaged with these professors can increase your professional connections. These connections, in turn, have the potential to contact you about new job opportunities or provide great references.  

Master’s in Criminology — Cons

Although there are numerous benefits for studying Criminology, there are several reasons why getting a Master’s degree is not for everyone.

Limited Demand for Criminologists

Some individuals will be so intrigued and fascinated by the study of Criminology that they feel they want to dedicate their careers to it. This is perfectly fine because these individuals can contribute a great amount regarding new research and educate newer generations of criminal justice professionals.

However, much like how Sociologists are rarely in high demand, the same is true for those who only specialize in the science of Criminology. A Master’s in this subject can be extremely helpful as supplementary education for those in the criminal justice field, but Criminologists themselves face steep competition without going on to getting their Doctorate degrees.  

Increased Workload 

As with anyone considering going back to school for their Master’s, they either need to decide to take classes while maintaining full-time work or stepping back from their career to focus on their degree.

Such a decision can be incredibly stressful for anyone and obviously one of the most important factors when deciding to pursue a Master’s degree. The best thing to do here is to evaluate how many hours you can dedicate outside of work and family commitments.

Not everyone lives near a major city, and not every college offers a Master’s degree in Criminology. However, several colleges do offer alternatives such as weekend studies. At West Liberty University, we are proud to offer online courses for students in our M.S. Criminology program.

Paying for Classes 

Going back to school also means securing funds to pay for classes. This can and should be a concern as many students come into graduate school with existing student loan debt.

Fortunately, most colleges have financial aid departments who can help alleviate the stress of getting additional loans for graduate school. And despite what you may think, you’re never too old to go back to school, and many worry too much about their current finances when in fact most qualify for loans or scholarships.

Next Steps  

The idea of going back to school can be a scary prospect, and there is a lot to think about when asking, is a criminology degree worth it. But for those who have committed to a life in the criminal justice field, there many good reasons to consider going back to further your education.

Whether you want a better salary or you’re ready to move up and advance your career, a Master’s in Criminology has tremendous benefits. If you’re still on the fence about whether a Master’s in Criminology is right for you, contact our graduate admissions office today to learn more.

Checkout More Resources for Advancing Your Career in Criminal Justice:

What does the Future of Law Enforcement Look like?

The Top 11 Degrees For Police Officers To Advance Their Careers