How to Become A Criminologist South Africa

Criminologists look at the patterns of criminal behavior, working behind the scenes with law enforcement agencies to determine why offenders do what they do.

Education of a Criminologist

You don’t just become a criminologist by watching detective television shows or reading novels. It takes a lot more than this. You need to be deliberate about your vision which requires you to attain the right educational qualifications.

These are the following steps you should take to become a criminologist in South Africa:

High School education – This is the first step and it requires you to finish with good grades in courses like government, sociology, psychology, and statistics. You can also take part in extracurricular activities relating to criminology.

Bachelor’s degree – Apply to a university in South Africa to study criminology. This course runs for a duration of four years after which you bag a Bachelor’s degree in criminology.

Apply for internships – You can do this while in school or just after college. Some places where you can work include government offices, police departments, and law firms.

Acquire an advanced degree.

What qualifications do you need to be a criminologist?

You’ll need:

knowledge of sociology and anthropology for understanding society and culture.

excellent written communication skills.

knowledge of teaching and the ability to design courses.

analytical thinking skills.

maths knowledge.

to be thorough and pay attention to detail.

the ability to understand people’s reactions.

Does criminology pay well in South Africa?

An early career Criminologist with 1-4 years of experience earns an average total compensation (includes tips, bonus, and overtime pay) of R260,000 based on 4 salaries. A mid-career Criminologist with 5-9 years of experience earns an average total compensation of R100,000 based on 5 salaries.

What can I do with a criminology degree in South Africa?

Criminology Careers

Police officer.

Corrections officer.

Forensic science technician.

Probation and community control officer.

Loss prevention specialist.

What subjects are needed for criminology in South Africa?

Compulsory Subjects

Introduction to criminology: crime, criminals and criminal behaviour. Introduction to criminology: victims and reduction of crime. Introduction to criminology: reaction to crime. End-user computing.

Are criminologists in demand?

The future job outlook of criminologists is positive due to the continuing demand for professionals in the field. Local and federal law enforcement agencies often post openings for criminology jobs to augment the need for more professionals in different locations.

How hard is criminology?

The work can be frustrating and can cause feelings of guilt if clues are missed and criminals are not apprehended. Criminology is also intellectually tedious because it requires a lot of detailed record keeping and report writing, which can seem unrelated to real-world progress against crime.

How long does a criminology course take?

Most criminology degrees will last either three or four years, depending on where you study.

Is studying criminology worth it?

There are several reasons that explain importance of why criminology is important: Reduction in crime: Criminology helps society understand, control, and reduce crime. Studying crime helps discover and analyze its causes, which can be used towards crime reduction policies and initiatives.