Criminal Psychologist Career (Salary + Duties + Interviews)

True crime has taken over in recent years! The psychology behind what makes a person commit crimes has made its way into podcasts, documentaries, and some of our favorite TV shows. But could you make a career out of exploring these ideas?

Yes, you can! Criminal psychologists do the work that true crime experts love to explore daily. Their job isn’t always as fabulous as recording a podcast and not as exciting as Clarice Starling’s. Still, it is helping people understand what motivates someone to commit theft, burglary, or murder. 

What does a Criminal Psychologist Do?

A criminal psychologist works directly with people who commit crimes to understand the motives and reasoning behind this behavior. Unlike a forensic psychologist, a criminal psychologist works with everything that happens when a person commits a crime. Forensic psychologists deal with the aftermath of criminal behavior.

This means, for example, that a criminal psychologist may study certain neighborhoods with a high level of crime and try to pinpoint certain events, common traits, or other factors that may lead to a higher level of crime. Forensic psychologists may work with incarcerated people after being convicted of a crime to help them transition back into that neighborhood and not commit further crimes. 

Criminal psychologists may use their skills gained through study and early experience to become criminal profilers, also known as criminal investigative analysts. 

Job Requirements

Criminal psychologists may start their career working in the criminal justice system, but they may also enter this specialty after time as clinical psychologists. Either way, this position typically requires a doctorate, licensure, internships, and other requirements that psychologists must meet before they enter their practice. 

Salary

Do criminal psychologists make good money? They can! Not everyone is jumping at working with criminals directly and understanding why people commit crimes. This high demand increases the salary offered to psychologists with this specialization. The following chart gives different ranges of salaries offered to criminal psychologists in the United States: 

Schools for Criminal Psychology Degrees

Criminal psychology is becoming a more in-demand degree program. Do not skip over these schools, known for their psychology and criminal psychology programs, when you are searching for colleges: 

New York University (New York, NY):

• Interdisciplinary Approach: NYU's program integrates law, psychology, and social work, offering a holistic approach to criminal psychology.
• Research Opportunities: NYU's location in a global city provides diverse research and internship opportunities, particularly within the justice system.

University of Maryland - College Park (College Park, MD):

• Collaboration with Government Agencies: Its proximity to the nation's capital allows for potential collaborations with federal agencies, enhancing the understanding of criminal behavior.
• Distinguished Faculty: Many faculty members have direct experience with forensic and criminal cases, providing invaluable real-world insight.

Arizona State University (Phoenix, AZ):

• Innovative Curriculum: ASU's criminal psychology program often integrates technology and new methodologies in studying criminal behavior.
• Practical Training: Phoenix provides a diverse urban setting, allowing students to engage in varied fieldwork and practicums.

California State University (Los Angeles, CA):

• Forensic Training: The school has specialized labs and facilities dedicated to forensic psychology, providing hands-on training.
• Partnerships: Collaboration with local law enforcement and justice departments gives students a real-world perspective.

University of Houston (Victoria, TX):

• Diverse Study Population: The diversity of Houston offers a broad range of study subjects, crucial for understanding various sociological impacts on criminal behavior.
• Expertise in Clinical Training: A strong emphasis on clinical training equips students to work directly with criminal populations.

Oklahoma State University (Stillwater, OK):

• Research Focus: OSU emphasizes empirical research, offering opportunities for students to investigate various aspects of criminal behavior.
• Community Engagement: Engaging with local communities provides practical experience in understanding and mitigating criminal behavior.

The University of Louisiana (Monroe, LA):

• Specialized Courses: Courses specific to forensic and criminal psychology prepare students for careers in these fields.
• Practical Experience: Partnerships with local law enforcement agencies offer students real-world experience.

University of North Dakota (Grand Forks, ND):

• Online Programs: UND's online offerings in criminal psychology allow for flexibility, catering to working professionals.
• Strong Alumni Network: Alumni working in the field can provide mentorship and networking opportunities for students.

Albizu University (San Juan, PR):

• Unique Cultural Perspective: The cultural setting of Puerto Rico offers insights into different socio-cultural influences on criminal behavior.
• Bilingual Programs: As crimes often cross linguistic barriers, understanding multiple languages can benefit criminal psychology.

Montclair State University (Montclair, NJ):

• Proximity to Major Cities: Its closeness to NYC and other urban centers allows students to study various criminal behaviors.
• Integrated Programs: Montclair offers integrated programs that combine criminal justice and psychology, providing a well-rounded education.

While the specifics of each university's criminal or forensic psychology programs might differ, these general strengths can benefit aspiring criminal psychologists. As always, prospective students should research each program in-depth to ensure it aligns with their career goals and interests.

Companies That Hire Criminal Psychologists

Various agencies within the criminal justice system may contact criminal psychologists or have one working in-house. Criminal psychologists may also choose to open their private practice or work as a consultant on a freelance basis. 

If you are looking for jobs that hire criminal psychologists (or offer internship opportunities), keep these on your list: 

• Correctional facilities
• Law enforcement agencies  
• Federal agencies, like the FBI’s Behavioral Science Unit
• Large organizations that are frequently victims of crimes 
• College and universities
• Research facilities

Interviews with a Criminal Psychologist

Interested in learning more about criminal psychology? Take a listen to the guy who wrote the book! Laurence Miller, Ph.D., is the author of Criminal Psychology - Nature, Nurture, Culture, and he answers the question, “What is criminal psychology?” 

You can also read insights from criminal psychologists on Reddit and other forums.

This answer from a retired criminal profiler on Quora takes you through a day in the life of work in the criminal justice system!

Famous Criminal Psychologists

The work of criminal psychologists has helped correctional officers, law enforcement, and the general public better understand what is going through the mind of a criminal. They also stop criminals before they can hurt other people! 

Dr. Alexander Bukhanovsky was known for his work as a psychologist in Russia, creating psychological profiles on serial killers and hunting down some of the most notorious ones. He helped to catch Andrei Chikatilo, who admitted to killing dozens of women and children. Bukhavnovsky’s work radically changed the idea of what a serial killer is and what their motives are.

James Brussel used his knowledge as a criminal psychologist to find the culprit of over a dozen bombings at Radio City Music Hall between 1940 and 1950.

Elizabeth F. Loftus is a psychologist whose work with memory has influenced the criminal justice system and how it approaches the credibility of eyewitness testimony. 

Lionel Haward helped shape the criminal psychologist's role in the 80s, listing the roles and responsibilities that someone with this training could have (clinical, experimental, actuarial, and advisory.)

Criminal Psychology Examples

Criminal psychologists dig deep into the minds of criminals to prevent further crimes, catch suspects, and educate others about the people behind crimes. If you want to be a criminal psychologist, expect to spend your days: 

1. Meeting with law enforcement agencies to share insights on where a suspect may move next
2. Reading through criminal profiles and noteworthy cases to discover links between criminal activity 
3. Studying trends in crime through first-hand or secondary research
4. Consulting with police departments about trends in crime and what that means for their job positions
5. Providing testimony as an expert witness to criminal cases 
6. Teaching classes at the university level on criminal psychology

Interested in becoming a criminal psychologist? I hope this helped. This is a relatively new field and not one that you can get into overnight, no matter how many podcasts you listen to!

There are many things to study in criminal and forensic psychology, such as the Differential Association Theory or the motives behind the list of famous serial killers.

There are also some key differences between criminal psychology and its “sister science,” forensic psychology, that are worth noting before you choose a college course.