Criminal Justice vs. Criminology: What's the Difference?

While criminal justice vs. criminology are closely related, it's important to understand that they're distinct fields with some key differences. Considering a career in criminology or criminal justice? Understanding the distinctions between these fields, as well as the potential job opportunities each offers, can help you determine which path aligns best with your aspirations and interests as you further your education.

What Is Criminal Justice?

Specifically, criminal justice is a field that centers around the operation of the criminal justice system, which consists of three main components:

• The court system, which is responsible for overseeing criminal cases and making rulings to serve justice.
• The corrections system, which is responsible for the management and rehabilitation of those who have been incarcerated for crimes. Corrections include not just jails and prisons, but parole and probation programs as well.
• Law enforcement, which aims to prevent and respond to crime as it occurs.

What Is Criminology?

Criminology, on the other hand, is a field that centers around studying criminal behavior and the effects that crime can have on society as a whole. The field of criminology looks specifically at human behavior and what leads people to commit crimes with the ultimate goal of predicting and preventing them.

What's the Difference Between Criminology and Criminal Justice?

Both criminology and criminal justice involve some study of crime and the human behavior behind it. However, these fields differ greatly in terms of their available areas of specialization, the methodologies used, and the potential career paths available.

To put it as simply as possible, whereas criminal justice looks mostly at how crimes are committed and how the system responds, criminology is more focused on the why behind the criminal behavior.

Focus of Study

Criminal justice programs typically involve a broader study of the justice system as a whole, including the so-called "three Cs" of criminal justice (corrections, cops, and courts). Students in these programs spend a lot of time learning about how these systems operate and work together to enforce laws, prevent crime, and ensure that justice is served when crimes do take place.

A criminology program, on the other hand, typically has a narrower scope. Students may focus more on the psychological, behavioral, and societal factors that contribute to crime — as well as how systems respond to crime. Students in a criminology program may also explore research methods, including data analysis, that may be used to inform policy development surrounding crime prevention.

Key Focus Areas

Within the fields of both criminal justice and criminology, there are some key areas of focus or specialization that students may choose to explore. In criminal justice, these include:

• Juvenile justice - The study of crime committed by young people.
• Victim rights and advocacy - The study of victims' rights and how to help them throughout the criminal justice process.
• Rehabilitation - An area of corrections that focuses on preparing offenders to re-enter society.
• Law enforcement - A branch of law enforcement that involves investigating and responding to crimes, as well as working to prevent them.

In criminology, on the other hand, common areas of study include:

• Victimology - The study of crime victims and their experiences.
• Penology - The study of how the criminal justice system punishes and addresses criminal offenders.
• Criminal behavior - The study of why people commit crimes, including sociological and psychological factors.

Careers and Professional Roles

Whether you're interested in studying criminal justice or criminology, there are numerous career path options to choose from in either field.

In criminal justice, some common professional roles include:

• Law enforcement officer - Including police officers, sheriffs, and state troopers, these professionals respond to crime and work to keep the public safe.
• Correctional officer - These professionals work in prisons and jails to keep inmates and others safe.
• Probation/parole officer - These criminal justice professionals work with offenders to ensure they are following the terms of their probation or parole.
• Criminal investigator - Including detectives and crime scene investigators, these professionals gather evidence in an effort to solve crimes.

Meanwhile, some potential career paths in criminology include:

• Policy analyst/researcher - These experts look at the latest crime data and make recommendations on criminal justice policies based on their research.
• Forensic psychologist - These criminologists use their knowledge of psychology and human behavior to conduct criminal profiling and help police solve crimes.
• Social worker or case manager - These experts offer support to victims and others (including families) as they navigate the criminal justice system.
• Intelligence analyst - These professionals often work for government agencies to provide guidance in identifying and mitigating security threats.

Career Outlook and Salary Potential

The job outlook and salary potential for those in criminology and criminal justice careers can vary greatly from one role to the next. Other factors, like level of experience and education, can also make a difference.

For reference, police and detectives can expect a job growth of 3 percent between 2024 and 2034, which is as fast as the average for all other occupations (according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data). Likewise, police officers and detectives earned a median pay of $77,270 per year in 2024.

On the criminology side, case managers can expect 6 percent demand growth between 2024 and 2034, which is faster than the national average. Meanwhile, these professionals earned a median pay of $78,240 in 2024.

Educational Pathways

What does it take to break into the criminal justice or criminology fields? This will depend on the exact career path you wish to pursue. For example, it may be possible to become a police officer with less than a college degree, but more advanced roles may require a minimum of a bachelor's degree in criminal justice or a related field.

The same applies to careers in criminology. You may be able to work as a case manager with minimal education (although a bachelor's degree is often preferred), but becoming a case worker or a researcher for a major institution may require an advanced education, such as a master's degree. It’s worth it to explore various criminal justice programs to find one that aligns with your career goals.

How the Two Fields Work Together

Those in criminology and criminal justice work together on a daily basis, collaborating to act in the best interests of the populations they serve. A detective, for instance, may work closely with a criminologist to better understand the potential motives behind an unsolved crime. Likewise, investigators may work with criminology experts to build a profile of the person or people who are most likely to commit certain crimes, which can aid in suspect identification.

Skills for Success in Both Fields

No matter which path you choose between criminal justice or criminology, there are some essential skills that you'll need to have in both. These include:

• Critical Thinking
• Analytical Skills
• Communication
• Ethical Judgment
• Problem-Solving
• Adaptability

Choosing the Right Path Forward

How can you decide whether a career in criminology or criminal justice is right for you? For many, it can be useful to envision where you see yourself professionally a few years down the road. If you're more interested in responding to crime and apprehending the criminals accountable, then a career in criminal justice may be more up your alley.

On the other hand, if you're more interested in the psychology and explanations behind why people commit crimes and how crimes impact society, then you might be a good fit for a criminology program.

Ready to Pursue a Criminal Justice Degree?

Both criminology and criminal justice can be fascinating disciplines to study, especially if you're the type of person who is interested in crime prevention and the justice system as a whole. Ultimately, while a criminology degree may be better suited for those who want to dive deeper into the human behavior aspect of crimes, those interested in careers in law enforcement and the justice system may want to explore a bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

At Champlain College Online, our online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice covers such essential topics as criminal law and procedure, corrections, juvenile justice, and conflict engagement. Meanwhile, because this program is offered entirely online, students can enjoy the flexibility of completing coursework on their own schedules.

Contact Champlain College Online today to learn more about this program, or get the ball rolling by starting your application for admission.