If you have ever wanted to spend your time working for social change and fighting for justice, read on. Criminology can take you from zero to hero in no time.
I don’t know about you, but when I think of the criminology field, all I can imagine is a spy film or a hero, fighting crime. Perhaps my idea is based on the movies I’ve seen, but the reality is that criminology exists as a field of study and is part of a country’s crime-fighting arm.
Time to Fight Crime
Criminology and, to a great extent, law enforcement in any country involves a number of skilled individuals. The keepers of law and order are trained to understand what makes criminals tick and how to take the necessary action in the line of criminal justice.
Stop for a moment and imagine the kind of chaos that we would all experience if we did not have criminology professionals? The truth is that we are able to sleep safely in our beds at night, knowing that the crime-fighters have got our backs. Yip, they are pretty epic!
What is Criminology all about?
Firstly, there are many different branches and spheres of criminology. The study of crime deals largely with understanding the motivations behind a crime.Criminology also involves understanding the criminals who commit these crimes. This is done so that the criminal justice system can beef up law enforcement efforts and put a stop to criminal activity in the country.
The field itself is diverse and there are many aspects that would suit different people and personality types. Professionals in the criminology field have received intensive training in order to carefully assess the minds and modus operandi of criminals. If you would like to study a course in criminology, here are just some areas you can expect to cover:
- Studying and interpreting crime and consequences
- Understanding the Law and Law enforcement
- The Criminal justice system
- Understanding the psychology of criminals
What can you do with a Degree in Criminology?
There are a number of career options available to those with a qualification in criminology. With so many diverse and complex aspects of crime-fighting in the criminology space, you are bound to find a role that appeals to you.
Lyceum College offers a Diploma in Criminal Justice which may be completed either full or part-time. The institution has degrees, postgraduate diplomas, advanced diplomas, higher certificates and short learning programmes on offer through correspondence. Distance learning allows you to manage your own time by working around your personal schedule.
The course in criminology covers all the content needed to pursue a career in criminology. This includes concepts of policing, business law and crowd management.
Once you have the qualification, you could easily become a:
- Forensic Expert
- Corrections Officer
- Private Investigator
- Prison Psychologist
- Solicitor
- Security Services provider
Technically, you qualify as a hero. In case you’re wondering, becoming a crime buster is a pretty cool profession – you’re practically a superhero 🙂
Criminology in South Africa
Okay, it’s no secret that South African superheroes have their work cut out for them. It’s part of being a crime fighter. If you wish to enter into the criminology field in South Africa, there will definitely be some specifics and criteria that you’ll have to adhere to. The minimum requirements for applicants is a National Senior Certificate, or the equivalent, in order to begin your studies in the criminology field.
On a social level, there are many rewards and benefits to building a career in Criminology in South Africa. As you study and move further into the field, you’ll acquire skills that will assist you in becoming part of the solution to a greater societal challenge. If you’re thinking of entering the field, it will help for you to learn how to develop mental resilience. The field, although diverse and exciting, can be intensive and mentally exhausting.
As Spider-Man’s uncle once said,
“with great power comes great responsibility”.
Get ready for a life-changing challenge!
FundiConnect 2Cents
Crime fighting, criminology and upholding justice is complex and diverse. It’s also a path that has many career opportunities. If you’re the type of person who is a humanitarian and cares about the wellbeing of society, this could, in fact, be a very rewarding field to direct your energies. Besides, it’s pretty awesome to say that you work as a professional hero 😉
