While the reality of a career in criminal psychology might not quite be what it is on “Criminal Minds,” the television show, the real-life potential can be just as exciting. Careers in criminal psychology are never boring, and if you have an education in that field, it’s great training for a huge range of jobs. You can do something different every day. You could work in counseling people who have committed crimes and need psychological assessment. Many psychologists are exploring computer-related fields, like studying Internet predators or helping investigate online fraud.

The potential for criminal psychology is evolving. With the rapid growth of Internet-related criminal activity, the need for tech savvy, educated law enforcement workers will continue to expand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, career opportunities in all realms of law enforcement will steadily grow between 9 and 14 percent through 2014.

But even as cutting-edge technology will force career psychologists to redefine their roles in law enforcement, there are also many traditional aspects of the career that will stay the same.

Much of a criminal psychologist’s time is spent in front of a computer screen, reading books or articles, and interviewing suspects and convicted offenders. In addition, a criminal psychology background can be used to educate and inform other people involved in solving crimes. Psychologists also write books, publish papers, lecture, and train law enforcement agents interested in using psychological elements in their investigations.