Undergrad degree in criminology?

Question

I am interested in getting a BA in criminology, but I don't have the money to afford grad school. Could I get a job in the crime field (preferable something like a forensic investigator) with just this degree, or would grad school be required for that? I don't want to bother getting an undergrad degree in criminology if I can't do anything crime-related with it.

Answer 1

You may want to gear more towards a program in criminalistics.  Criminology is a broad range of the study of crime.

Also, chemistry/physics are good choices for classes.

I believe your best bet is to get a job, any job, in a police dept. and work into criminalistics.  There's be more opportunity in larger cities.

Start as a street cop for 3-4 years and try to work into criminalistics.

Answer 2

in most cities that have forensic investigators you don't have to have a degree, but law enforcement background most likely as a police officer.  while being a cop, you can be trained to be an investigator.  if you are looking to work in a lab, you may need to get at least an associate degree.