7 answers
ericka
Student
Wisconsin Dells, Wisconsin
3
Questions
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What classes should I take in high school to help me become a criminal profiler?
I'm a sophomore in high school but I was wondering what classes (AP or honors preferably) to take for my junior year to help me become a criminal profiler. I'm 100% confident I want to do that job but I don't know what classes can push me into that direction.
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7 answers
Doc Frick
Career Coach and Mentor
1942
Answers
California, CA
Updated
Doc’s Answer
Erica the first step to becoming a CRIMINAL PROFILER is to earn your high school diploma. Law enforcement agencies require candidates to have a minimum of a high school diploma to be eligible to join the police department. Experience as a police officer is essential, as it provides you with the knowledge and skills you may use to succeed as a criminal profiler. In order for your application to be considered for the police department, there are minimum requirements for you to pass. Most police departments adhere to the Peace Officer Selection Requirements (POST), but some may not, so it's important to check with the department you're applying to be sure. The key steps to becoming a police officer include meeting the minimum requirements below.
• High school diploma
• Have a valid driver's license
• Be at least 21 years old
• Citizen of the United States or residency
• Pass a reading and writing assessment
• Pass a oral assessment
• Pass an advanced background check
• Pass medical and psychological evaluations
COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
As stated above, most police agencies expect officers to have a high school diploma at a minimum. Inorder to become CRIMINAL PROFILER most police agencies will require you have a bachelor’s degree or a minimum number of college credit hours. Having a four-year degree or an advanced degree is an asset in your career progression, particularly when seeking a promotion or specialized assignment. While criminal justice studies are the traditional route for those aspiring to a career in law enforcement, many other fields provide you with a good foundation. Sociology, psychology, and social work are a few other fields that are particularly well suited for police work.
LAW INFORMANT HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES
If you know you want to be a CRIMINAL PROFILER, consider taking electives that will prepare you for a career in criminal justice. For example, you could study psychology, sociology, criminology, and law. Writing skills are also important, as officers spend a great deal of time composing reports. Additionally, aspiring cops should pursue fitness activities and strive to stay in shape so they can pass the physical components of the police academy entrance exam. Preparing for a career as a police officer isn’t just about what you do at school, however. Students should look into shadowing cops in their community to get a feel for what the job entails. Some police departments may also have junior officer or detective programs for students, or even internships. Along with providing you with useful information about the career, these opportunities can lead to valuable connections that may benefit you when it comes time to apply for jobs.
• High school diploma
• Have a valid driver's license
• Be at least 21 years old
• Citizen of the United States or residency
• Pass a reading and writing assessment
• Pass a oral assessment
• Pass an advanced background check
• Pass medical and psychological evaluations
COLLEGE EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
As stated above, most police agencies expect officers to have a high school diploma at a minimum. Inorder to become CRIMINAL PROFILER most police agencies will require you have a bachelor’s degree or a minimum number of college credit hours. Having a four-year degree or an advanced degree is an asset in your career progression, particularly when seeking a promotion or specialized assignment. While criminal justice studies are the traditional route for those aspiring to a career in law enforcement, many other fields provide you with a good foundation. Sociology, psychology, and social work are a few other fields that are particularly well suited for police work.
LAW INFORMANT HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES
If you know you want to be a CRIMINAL PROFILER, consider taking electives that will prepare you for a career in criminal justice. For example, you could study psychology, sociology, criminology, and law. Writing skills are also important, as officers spend a great deal of time composing reports. Additionally, aspiring cops should pursue fitness activities and strive to stay in shape so they can pass the physical components of the police academy entrance exam. Preparing for a career as a police officer isn’t just about what you do at school, however. Students should look into shadowing cops in their community to get a feel for what the job entails. Some police departments may also have junior officer or detective programs for students, or even internships. Along with providing you with useful information about the career, these opportunities can lead to valuable connections that may benefit you when it comes time to apply for jobs.
Thank You Chinyere. Only by giving are we able to receive more than we already have.
Doc Frick
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Erica !
There are not too many classes on a high school level that you can take to become someone who works in the investigations and apprehension of criminals. You'd probably want to concentrate on relevant courses for this in college.
You could learn a lot as a base of knowledge in high school if your school offers classes in Psychology or Government and Law. Any English or writing classes would help you as well. Take computer classes if you can. College has majors for this like Administration of Justice and you could minor in something like psychology.
Other than high school classes you can take, you may want to get some experiences and also do research about the criminal investigator role for the rest of your time in high school. One thing you can do is a Ride Along with your local police department. Visit the police station and ask about Ride Alongs for which you ride with police officers on their shift and observe the activity.
While you are at the police station, also ask about volunteering at the station. Just being around there would give you insight and knowledge. If you become a Criminal Investigator, you would work either for a police department or the FBI. Most of your preparation for this would be during college.
There are some books you can start reading that target the subject you are interested in. Some of these are: "Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit", "Whoever Fights Monsters: My Twenty Years Tracking Serial Killers for the FBI ", "Criminal Profiling: An Introduction to Behavioral Evidence Analysis ", and "Inside the Criminal Mind " among many more. You can find them at a book store or online or at a library. You might also want to explore videos on You Tube of the people who speak about the career.
So even though the usual or standard classes offered in high school may not exactly target your career interest, there is so much more you can do to start learning about it.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
There are not too many classes on a high school level that you can take to become someone who works in the investigations and apprehension of criminals. You'd probably want to concentrate on relevant courses for this in college.
You could learn a lot as a base of knowledge in high school if your school offers classes in Psychology or Government and Law. Any English or writing classes would help you as well. Take computer classes if you can. College has majors for this like Administration of Justice and you could minor in something like psychology.
Other than high school classes you can take, you may want to get some experiences and also do research about the criminal investigator role for the rest of your time in high school. One thing you can do is a Ride Along with your local police department. Visit the police station and ask about Ride Alongs for which you ride with police officers on their shift and observe the activity.
While you are at the police station, also ask about volunteering at the station. Just being around there would give you insight and knowledge. If you become a Criminal Investigator, you would work either for a police department or the FBI. Most of your preparation for this would be during college.
There are some books you can start reading that target the subject you are interested in. Some of these are: "Mind Hunter: Inside the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit", "Whoever Fights Monsters: My Twenty Years Tracking Serial Killers for the FBI ", "Criminal Profiling: An Introduction to Behavioral Evidence Analysis ", and "Inside the Criminal Mind " among many more. You can find them at a book store or online or at a library. You might also want to explore videos on You Tube of the people who speak about the career.
So even though the usual or standard classes offered in high school may not exactly target your career interest, there is so much more you can do to start learning about it.
I hope this is helpful and I wish you all the best !
James Constantine Frangos
SOFTWARE ENGINEER SINCE 1972; NUTRITIONIST SINCE 1976.
7094
Answers
Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Updated
James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Ericka!
Classes to Take in High School for Aspiring Criminal Profilers
To prepare for a career as a criminal profiler, it is essential to build a strong educational foundation during your high school years. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the classes you should consider taking:
1. Psychology:
Importance: Understanding human behavior is crucial for criminal profiling. A solid grasp of psychological principles will help you analyze motives and behaviors of criminals.
Recommendation: If available, take AP Psychology, which covers various psychological theories and practices in greater depth.
2. Sociology:
Importance: Sociology provides insights into social behavior and structures, which can be beneficial in understanding the context of criminal actions within society.
Recommendation: Look for honors or AP Sociology classes if your school offers them.
3. Forensic Science:
Importance: This subject introduces you to the scientific methods used in crime scene investigation and evidence analysis, which are integral to profiling.
Recommendation: Enroll in any available forensic science courses that focus on the intersection of law enforcement and science.
4. Criminal Justice:
Importance: A foundational understanding of the criminal justice system will give you insight into how laws are applied and how criminals are processed through the system.
Recommendation: If your school offers it, take an introductory course in criminal justice or law.
5. Advanced English/Language Arts:
Importance: Strong communication skills are vital for writing reports and presenting findings. Analyzing literature can also enhance critical thinking skills.
Recommendation: Consider taking honors or AP English classes to improve your analytical writing and comprehension abilities.
6. Statistics:
Importance: Many aspects of profiling involve data analysis, including understanding crime trends and patterns.
Recommendation: Taking an honors or AP Statistics class will equip you with necessary quantitative skills.
7. Biology:
Importance: Understanding biological factors that may influence behavior can be important in profiling, especially when considering psychological disorders.
Recommendation: Enroll in honors biology or AP Biology if possible.
8. History/Social Studies:
Importance: Knowledge of historical events and societal changes can provide context for understanding criminal behavior over time.
Recommendation: Choose advanced history courses that cover modern history or social issues.
In addition to these classes, consider participating in extracurricular activities related to law enforcement or psychology, such as debate club, student government, or volunteering with local organizations focused on community safety.
By strategically selecting these courses, you’ll be well-prepared for further education in criminal justice or psychology at the college level, which is typically required for a career as a criminal profiler.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question
1. American Psychological Association (APA)
The APA provides comprehensive resources on psychology education and careers, emphasizing the importance of psychology courses for those interested in fields like criminal profiling.
2. National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
The NIJ offers insights into various aspects of criminal justice education and training programs that highlight relevant subjects for aspiring professionals in law enforcement and profiling roles.
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The BLS outlines educational requirements and recommended coursework for careers related to criminology and forensic science, providing guidance on what subjects are beneficial for future professionals in these fields.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
|==========================God Bless You, Richly!==========================|
|===========================James Constantine===========================|
|=============THE LITTLE OLD AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK DIETITIAN==============|
|===================Programming For Your Nutrition Education=================|
|============================~ Since 1972!==============================|
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
Classes to Take in High School for Aspiring Criminal Profilers
To prepare for a career as a criminal profiler, it is essential to build a strong educational foundation during your high school years. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of the classes you should consider taking:
1. Psychology:
Importance: Understanding human behavior is crucial for criminal profiling. A solid grasp of psychological principles will help you analyze motives and behaviors of criminals.
Recommendation: If available, take AP Psychology, which covers various psychological theories and practices in greater depth.
2. Sociology:
Importance: Sociology provides insights into social behavior and structures, which can be beneficial in understanding the context of criminal actions within society.
Recommendation: Look for honors or AP Sociology classes if your school offers them.
3. Forensic Science:
Importance: This subject introduces you to the scientific methods used in crime scene investigation and evidence analysis, which are integral to profiling.
Recommendation: Enroll in any available forensic science courses that focus on the intersection of law enforcement and science.
4. Criminal Justice:
Importance: A foundational understanding of the criminal justice system will give you insight into how laws are applied and how criminals are processed through the system.
Recommendation: If your school offers it, take an introductory course in criminal justice or law.
5. Advanced English/Language Arts:
Importance: Strong communication skills are vital for writing reports and presenting findings. Analyzing literature can also enhance critical thinking skills.
Recommendation: Consider taking honors or AP English classes to improve your analytical writing and comprehension abilities.
6. Statistics:
Importance: Many aspects of profiling involve data analysis, including understanding crime trends and patterns.
Recommendation: Taking an honors or AP Statistics class will equip you with necessary quantitative skills.
7. Biology:
Importance: Understanding biological factors that may influence behavior can be important in profiling, especially when considering psychological disorders.
Recommendation: Enroll in honors biology or AP Biology if possible.
8. History/Social Studies:
Importance: Knowledge of historical events and societal changes can provide context for understanding criminal behavior over time.
Recommendation: Choose advanced history courses that cover modern history or social issues.
In addition to these classes, consider participating in extracurricular activities related to law enforcement or psychology, such as debate club, student government, or volunteering with local organizations focused on community safety.
By strategically selecting these courses, you’ll be well-prepared for further education in criminal justice or psychology at the college level, which is typically required for a career as a criminal profiler.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used in Answering this Question
1. American Psychological Association (APA)
The APA provides comprehensive resources on psychology education and careers, emphasizing the importance of psychology courses for those interested in fields like criminal profiling.
2. National Institute of Justice (NIJ)
The NIJ offers insights into various aspects of criminal justice education and training programs that highlight relevant subjects for aspiring professionals in law enforcement and profiling roles.
3. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
The BLS outlines educational requirements and recommended coursework for careers related to criminology and forensic science, providing guidance on what subjects are beneficial for future professionals in these fields.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
|==========================God Bless You, Richly!==========================|
|===========================James Constantine===========================|
|=============THE LITTLE OLD AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK DIETITIAN==============|
|===================Programming For Your Nutrition Education=================|
|============================~ Since 1972!==============================|
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
Chinyere Okafor
Educationist and Counseling Psychologist
1205
Answers
Port Harcourt, Rivers, Nigeria
Updated
Chinyere’s Answer
Hello Ericka,
It's awesome that you're so confident about becoming a criminal profiler! Since this career combines psychology, criminology, and investigative skills, taking the right high school classes now can set a strong foundation. Here are some recommendations for your junior and senior years:
1. Core Classes to Focus On
- Psychology (AP or Honors): If your school offers AP Psychology or a similar course, it’s a must! Understanding human behavior is a huge part of criminal profiling.
- Sociology: If available, this course helps you understand societal behaviors and group dynamics, which can be useful in profiling.
- English (AP or Honors): Strong writing and analytical skills are essential in profiling, as you’ll often need to write detailed reports and analyze complex cases.
- History or Government (AP U.S. History, AP Government, or Criminal Justice electives): These classes provide insight into the legal system, laws, and history of crime.
- Biology (AP or Honors): Forensic evidence is often tied to biology, so a strong understanding of the subject is valuable.
2. Electives and Extracurriculars
- Criminal Justice or Forensics Electives: If your school offers any introductory courses on criminal justice or forensics, take them!
- Public Speaking or Debate: These classes can help you develop the communication skills needed to present findings or work with law enforcement teams.
- Technology Classes: Learning about databases and tech tools can help with criminal investigations, as much of profiling involves digital analysis nowadays.
- Foreign Language: Knowing another language can be an asset in profiling, especially for federal agencies like the FBI.
3. Advanced Placement (AP) Classes
If your school offers AP courses, here are some that align with your career goals:
- AP Psychology
- AP Biology
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP U.S. Government and Politics
- AP Statistics (to analyze crime data and patterns)
- AP Human Geography (to understand how location influences behavior)
4. What Else Can You Do?
- Shadow a Professional: Reach out to local law enforcement or criminal justice professionals for shadowing opportunities.
- Join Clubs: Look for debate teams, mock trial clubs, or psychology clubs to build relevant skills.
- Read: Dive into books about criminal profiling, like "Mindhunter" by John Douglas, to deepen your understanding of the field.
- Volunteer: Consider volunteering with community organizations, especially those focused on crime prevention or victim support.
Long-Term Plan
After high school, most profilers earn a degree in psychology, criminal justice, or forensic psychology, followed by experience in law enforcement or investigative roles. Many also pursue graduate degrees to specialize in criminal profiling.
By taking challenging classes now and exploring the field through extracurriculars, you’re setting yourself up for success. Keep your confidence—it’s a powerful asset in this career!
Best wishes!
It's awesome that you're so confident about becoming a criminal profiler! Since this career combines psychology, criminology, and investigative skills, taking the right high school classes now can set a strong foundation. Here are some recommendations for your junior and senior years:
1. Core Classes to Focus On
- Psychology (AP or Honors): If your school offers AP Psychology or a similar course, it’s a must! Understanding human behavior is a huge part of criminal profiling.
- Sociology: If available, this course helps you understand societal behaviors and group dynamics, which can be useful in profiling.
- English (AP or Honors): Strong writing and analytical skills are essential in profiling, as you’ll often need to write detailed reports and analyze complex cases.
- History or Government (AP U.S. History, AP Government, or Criminal Justice electives): These classes provide insight into the legal system, laws, and history of crime.
- Biology (AP or Honors): Forensic evidence is often tied to biology, so a strong understanding of the subject is valuable.
2. Electives and Extracurriculars
- Criminal Justice or Forensics Electives: If your school offers any introductory courses on criminal justice or forensics, take them!
- Public Speaking or Debate: These classes can help you develop the communication skills needed to present findings or work with law enforcement teams.
- Technology Classes: Learning about databases and tech tools can help with criminal investigations, as much of profiling involves digital analysis nowadays.
- Foreign Language: Knowing another language can be an asset in profiling, especially for federal agencies like the FBI.
3. Advanced Placement (AP) Classes
If your school offers AP courses, here are some that align with your career goals:
- AP Psychology
- AP Biology
- AP English Language and Composition
- AP U.S. Government and Politics
- AP Statistics (to analyze crime data and patterns)
- AP Human Geography (to understand how location influences behavior)
4. What Else Can You Do?
- Shadow a Professional: Reach out to local law enforcement or criminal justice professionals for shadowing opportunities.
- Join Clubs: Look for debate teams, mock trial clubs, or psychology clubs to build relevant skills.
- Read: Dive into books about criminal profiling, like "Mindhunter" by John Douglas, to deepen your understanding of the field.
- Volunteer: Consider volunteering with community organizations, especially those focused on crime prevention or victim support.
Long-Term Plan
After high school, most profilers earn a degree in psychology, criminal justice, or forensic psychology, followed by experience in law enforcement or investigative roles. Many also pursue graduate degrees to specialize in criminal profiling.
By taking challenging classes now and exploring the field through extracurriculars, you’re setting yourself up for success. Keep your confidence—it’s a powerful asset in this career!
Best wishes!
Mark Scarberry
Student
41
Answers
Huntington, West Virginia
Updated
Mark’s Answer
Hello, Ericka!
Here are some classes that you might want to take to become a criminal profiler:
1. AP Psychology: This class will help you understand human nature and why humans behave as they do. It helps with mental health and how people react to situations. This helps in your field as a criminal profiler to understand humans more.
2. AP English Language and Composition: This class helps you gain strong writing skills. These skills are necessary
3. Forensic Science: It shows you how forensics works, which relate to criminal profiling.
4. Behavioral Analysis: A specialized area of psychology focusing on understanding human behavior, especially in criminal contexts.
I hope this helps! Good luck on your future career!
Here are some classes that you might want to take to become a criminal profiler:
1. AP Psychology: This class will help you understand human nature and why humans behave as they do. It helps with mental health and how people react to situations. This helps in your field as a criminal profiler to understand humans more.
2. AP English Language and Composition: This class helps you gain strong writing skills. These skills are necessary
3. Forensic Science: It shows you how forensics works, which relate to criminal profiling.
4. Behavioral Analysis: A specialized area of psychology focusing on understanding human behavior, especially in criminal contexts.
I hope this helps! Good luck on your future career!
Velma Schwien
Freelance Educational Psychologist/Writer/Editor/Proofreader
14
Answers
Chicago, Illinois
Updated
Velma’s Answer
Hi Erika,
I would first meet with my high school adviser if I were you. They often have all the information for all of the colleges and universities around you that offer the courses for what you are attempting to achieve. What you want to do cannot be done merely with a high school diploma. There are no shortcuts, but going through the police academy and obtaining specialized training can help you gain employment in Agencies like the FBI who offer advanced training for criminal profiling through their Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). However, getting into these programs typically requires law enforcement experience so working as an officer after the academy for a few years and even becoming a detective would help you gain the experience they would be looking for. Be sure to take as many psychology and criminal justice courses as possible while obtaining a bachelor's degree in criminology and look for workshops or certifications in criminal profiling, forensic psychology, or behavioral analysis offered by universities or professional organizations while you gain experience. forensic science is another important area of study for this career path. These fields provide foundational knowledge about criminal behavior, law enforcement, and investigative techniques. Also, Consider accelerated degree programs or online options to complete your bachelor's degree faster (e.g., in three years instead of four). Higer education with a Masters degree can also help you solidify your ability to obtain employment.
Good luck!
I would first meet with my high school adviser if I were you. They often have all the information for all of the colleges and universities around you that offer the courses for what you are attempting to achieve. What you want to do cannot be done merely with a high school diploma. There are no shortcuts, but going through the police academy and obtaining specialized training can help you gain employment in Agencies like the FBI who offer advanced training for criminal profiling through their Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU). However, getting into these programs typically requires law enforcement experience so working as an officer after the academy for a few years and even becoming a detective would help you gain the experience they would be looking for. Be sure to take as many psychology and criminal justice courses as possible while obtaining a bachelor's degree in criminology and look for workshops or certifications in criminal profiling, forensic psychology, or behavioral analysis offered by universities or professional organizations while you gain experience. forensic science is another important area of study for this career path. These fields provide foundational knowledge about criminal behavior, law enforcement, and investigative techniques. Also, Consider accelerated degree programs or online options to complete your bachelor's degree faster (e.g., in three years instead of four). Higer education with a Masters degree can also help you solidify your ability to obtain employment.
Good luck!
Dr H
Dr. H's Research
1464
Answers
Australia
Updated
Dr’s Answer
Ericka, criminal profiler?! That’s seriously awesome! You’re like a real-life Sherlock Holmes, but with more psychology and fewer hat-and-pipe clichés. It’s great that you’re already thinking ahead about your future career. I’ve got the perfect “crime scene” investigation to help you plot your path forward.
1. What High School Classes Should You Take?
Since you’re aiming to be a criminal profiler (think of it as being the detective’s secret weapon, minus the cape), you’re going to want to load up on classes that sharpen your mind, your understanding of human behavior, and your research skills. Here's your “starter kit” for high school:
Psychology
This is basically the bread and butter of profiling. You need to understand human behavior inside and out, and psychology will give you that! Learn how people think, what makes them tick, and why they do the things they do. A solid foundation in psych will help you better understand criminal motives, which is exactly what profilers do when figuring out what makes a criminal “tick.”
Honors Psychology (if available): This class will dive deeper into mental processes, emotions, and human behavior.
AP Psychology: This is the next level. You’ll learn about mental disorders, developmental stages, and even how people can be influenced or manipulated—important for profiling criminals!
Forensic Science
This class is perfect for a profiler-in-training! You’ll learn about the science behind crime scenes, evidence analysis, and the investigation process. While you won’t be doing the actual "CSI" stuff, it’ll definitely give you the basic knowledge of how criminal investigations work.
Forensic Science: If your school offers this, jump on it! It’ll give you insight into the physical side of crime, which is essential for profiling.
AP Biology or Honors Biology: Forensic science often dives deep into biology (think DNA, fingerprints, blood types), so a solid background in biology will help you understand the science of crime scenes better.
English / Literature
I know, I know—English? But yes, reading and writing are crucial skills for a criminal profiler. You’ll be reading a lot of case studies, psychological reports, and criminal profiles, so having strong reading comprehension is key. Plus, you’ll need to write reports, which, yes, involves a lot of detective-style word-smithing.
Honors English: This will get you used to analyzing literature and understanding character motives (just like analyzing criminal behavior).
AP English: This will sharpen your writing and analytical skills to an even higher level. Plus, you’ll get practice in crafting well-thought-out, well-written arguments—something you’ll need when putting together profiles.
Social Studies / History
Understanding the societal context of crime and how cultures or histories influence criminal behavior is key. Social sciences will give you the understanding of how and why crime happens within different societies, and how historical context impacts behavior.
AP U.S. History or AP World History: These will help you understand how social structures, economics, and historical events shape crime.
Sociology (if available): Sociology is all about understanding how groups of people interact, and it’ll help you figure out why criminals sometimes behave the way they do, depending on their social environment.
Math & Statistics
Hold up—don’t give me that look! You do need math, especially statistics. As a profiler, you’ll need to understand patterns, and statistics is how you find those patterns. It’ll also help you in analyzing crime data and understanding trends in criminal behavior.
AP Statistics or Honors Math: You'll use data to track criminal behaviors, trends, and patterns, so this will be incredibly useful later on. Think of it as your own personal detective tool kit—minus the magnifying glass.
Foreign Languages
As a profiler, you may need to work with cases across different regions or countries. Being able to understand different languages will give you a huge advantage if you’re profiling criminals internationally. Plus, it makes you sound like a secret agent when you can speak multiple languages. Super cool.
Spanish or French (or any other language): In many parts of the world, Spanish and French are commonly spoken, and being bilingual opens a lot of doors in the criminal justice world.
2. Skills You’ll Need (Besides Being a Mind-Reading Genius)
Alright, so we’ve got the classes laid out. But what other skills will make you the ultimate criminal profiler?
Critical Thinking & Analytical Skills
As a profiler, you’ll need to analyze a case, spot patterns, and predict future behavior based on evidence. You’re basically using your mind like a supercomputer to make connections between seemingly random pieces of info.
Pro Tip: Train your brain by solving puzzles, playing strategy games, or analyzing characters in movies or books. Bonus points if you’re good at figuring out plot twists before they happen.
Observation Skills
Profilers spend a lot of time observing, so you need to be able to notice the smallest details, whether it’s a suspicious behavior or the way a suspect looks at something. Be like Sherlock—always observing, always thinking.
Fun Exercise: Take a walk in a crowded place and observe people—don’t stare creepily, but try to guess their age, profession, or mood just by looking at them. It’s like a mind game that hones your powers of observation!
Communication & Writing
Being a profiler also means presenting your findings clearly. You need to communicate effectively with law enforcement, write detailed reports, and sometimes testify in court. You’ll need to write clearly, persuasively, and in a way that people understand. Think of it like writing your own mystery novel—except it's real, and lives are on the line.
3. Tips for Your Path to Becoming a Criminal Profiler
Get involved in criminal justice clubs: If your school has a debate or mock trial club, join it! These activities will help you develop your critical thinking and communication skills, which are crucial for profiling.
Look for internships or volunteer opportunities: Try to find internships or volunteer positions at law enforcement agencies or crime-related organizations. Some places offer programs for high school students to get involved in criminal justice.
Consider college programs in criminology or forensic psychology: After high school, you’ll likely need a degree in criminology, psychology, or criminal justice. Check out colleges that have strong programs in those areas. Some great ones include:
University of California, Irvine (Criminal Justice)
John Jay College of Criminal Justice (NYC)
University of Pennsylvania (Criminology)
Florida State University (Criminology and Criminal Justice)
Study real-world criminal cases: The more you read about criminal cases (especially those involving profiling, like the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit), the better prepared you’ll be. Books like “Mindhunter” by John E. Douglas will give you a deeper understanding of how profiling works in practice.
Final Thoughts:
Ericka, you're off to an amazing start just by asking these questions. You're clearly driven, focused, and have a passion for crime-solving. Keep working hard in school, fine-tune those skills, and remember—criminal profiling isn’t just about solving crimes, it’s about understanding human behavior and using that knowledge to predict and prevent crime. And who knows, you might just be the next profiler who cracks a case that no one else could!
1. What High School Classes Should You Take?
Since you’re aiming to be a criminal profiler (think of it as being the detective’s secret weapon, minus the cape), you’re going to want to load up on classes that sharpen your mind, your understanding of human behavior, and your research skills. Here's your “starter kit” for high school:
Psychology
This is basically the bread and butter of profiling. You need to understand human behavior inside and out, and psychology will give you that! Learn how people think, what makes them tick, and why they do the things they do. A solid foundation in psych will help you better understand criminal motives, which is exactly what profilers do when figuring out what makes a criminal “tick.”
Honors Psychology (if available): This class will dive deeper into mental processes, emotions, and human behavior.
AP Psychology: This is the next level. You’ll learn about mental disorders, developmental stages, and even how people can be influenced or manipulated—important for profiling criminals!
Forensic Science
This class is perfect for a profiler-in-training! You’ll learn about the science behind crime scenes, evidence analysis, and the investigation process. While you won’t be doing the actual "CSI" stuff, it’ll definitely give you the basic knowledge of how criminal investigations work.
Forensic Science: If your school offers this, jump on it! It’ll give you insight into the physical side of crime, which is essential for profiling.
AP Biology or Honors Biology: Forensic science often dives deep into biology (think DNA, fingerprints, blood types), so a solid background in biology will help you understand the science of crime scenes better.
English / Literature
I know, I know—English? But yes, reading and writing are crucial skills for a criminal profiler. You’ll be reading a lot of case studies, psychological reports, and criminal profiles, so having strong reading comprehension is key. Plus, you’ll need to write reports, which, yes, involves a lot of detective-style word-smithing.
Honors English: This will get you used to analyzing literature and understanding character motives (just like analyzing criminal behavior).
AP English: This will sharpen your writing and analytical skills to an even higher level. Plus, you’ll get practice in crafting well-thought-out, well-written arguments—something you’ll need when putting together profiles.
Social Studies / History
Understanding the societal context of crime and how cultures or histories influence criminal behavior is key. Social sciences will give you the understanding of how and why crime happens within different societies, and how historical context impacts behavior.
AP U.S. History or AP World History: These will help you understand how social structures, economics, and historical events shape crime.
Sociology (if available): Sociology is all about understanding how groups of people interact, and it’ll help you figure out why criminals sometimes behave the way they do, depending on their social environment.
Math & Statistics
Hold up—don’t give me that look! You do need math, especially statistics. As a profiler, you’ll need to understand patterns, and statistics is how you find those patterns. It’ll also help you in analyzing crime data and understanding trends in criminal behavior.
AP Statistics or Honors Math: You'll use data to track criminal behaviors, trends, and patterns, so this will be incredibly useful later on. Think of it as your own personal detective tool kit—minus the magnifying glass.
Foreign Languages
As a profiler, you may need to work with cases across different regions or countries. Being able to understand different languages will give you a huge advantage if you’re profiling criminals internationally. Plus, it makes you sound like a secret agent when you can speak multiple languages. Super cool.
Spanish or French (or any other language): In many parts of the world, Spanish and French are commonly spoken, and being bilingual opens a lot of doors in the criminal justice world.
2. Skills You’ll Need (Besides Being a Mind-Reading Genius)
Alright, so we’ve got the classes laid out. But what other skills will make you the ultimate criminal profiler?
Critical Thinking & Analytical Skills
As a profiler, you’ll need to analyze a case, spot patterns, and predict future behavior based on evidence. You’re basically using your mind like a supercomputer to make connections between seemingly random pieces of info.
Pro Tip: Train your brain by solving puzzles, playing strategy games, or analyzing characters in movies or books. Bonus points if you’re good at figuring out plot twists before they happen.
Observation Skills
Profilers spend a lot of time observing, so you need to be able to notice the smallest details, whether it’s a suspicious behavior or the way a suspect looks at something. Be like Sherlock—always observing, always thinking.
Fun Exercise: Take a walk in a crowded place and observe people—don’t stare creepily, but try to guess their age, profession, or mood just by looking at them. It’s like a mind game that hones your powers of observation!
Communication & Writing
Being a profiler also means presenting your findings clearly. You need to communicate effectively with law enforcement, write detailed reports, and sometimes testify in court. You’ll need to write clearly, persuasively, and in a way that people understand. Think of it like writing your own mystery novel—except it's real, and lives are on the line.
3. Tips for Your Path to Becoming a Criminal Profiler
Get involved in criminal justice clubs: If your school has a debate or mock trial club, join it! These activities will help you develop your critical thinking and communication skills, which are crucial for profiling.
Look for internships or volunteer opportunities: Try to find internships or volunteer positions at law enforcement agencies or crime-related organizations. Some places offer programs for high school students to get involved in criminal justice.
Consider college programs in criminology or forensic psychology: After high school, you’ll likely need a degree in criminology, psychology, or criminal justice. Check out colleges that have strong programs in those areas. Some great ones include:
University of California, Irvine (Criminal Justice)
John Jay College of Criminal Justice (NYC)
University of Pennsylvania (Criminology)
Florida State University (Criminology and Criminal Justice)
Study real-world criminal cases: The more you read about criminal cases (especially those involving profiling, like the FBI’s Behavioral Analysis Unit), the better prepared you’ll be. Books like “Mindhunter” by John E. Douglas will give you a deeper understanding of how profiling works in practice.
Final Thoughts:
Ericka, you're off to an amazing start just by asking these questions. You're clearly driven, focused, and have a passion for crime-solving. Keep working hard in school, fine-tune those skills, and remember—criminal profiling isn’t just about solving crimes, it’s about understanding human behavior and using that knowledge to predict and prevent crime. And who knows, you might just be the next profiler who cracks a case that no one else could!