What can you do with a Criminal Justice and Corrections degree from Sam Houston State University?

First, some facts. Of the Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from Sam Houston State University we've analyzed , here's how many have used (or NOT used) their degree in their career:


These are estimates based on AI analysis of 22 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Horrible! Overall, with an average relevance score of 35%, Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from Sam Houston State University have an exceptionally lower likelihood (-32%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 35%
Average relevance score across all fields: 67%

And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.

× Chart

Also, after graduating, only 13% of these graduates have pursued further education other than another Bachelor's degree (such as a Masters degree or other), compared to the average across all profiles of 35%. This suggests a Bachelors degree is enough for most Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Criminal Justice and Corrections graduate from Sam Houston State University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 10%

We think this person has NOT gone into a career related to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2020 from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Science - BS in Criminal Justice and Corrections. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Scale Operator
Cranesville Block Co., Inc.
Jun 2020 - Oct 2023
The position of Scale Operator does not require any knowledge or skills in criminal justice and corrections, making it unrelated to the Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections.

Store Manager
Les quipements d'rablire CDL inc. / CDL Sugaring Equipment inc.
Oct 2023 - Present
As a Store Manager, some managerial skills may be transferable from criminal justice knowledge, but the core qualifications of the job focus more on retail management rather than criminal justice.

ABOUT

No information provided.

What jobs can you get with a Criminal Justice and Corrections degree from Sam Houston State University?

The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:


When looking at the jobs held by grads from Sam Houston State University with a degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections, it's clear that there's quite a mix. Many individuals have taken on roles that don't directly relate to their field, such as Quality Control Analysts, Quality Assurance Analysts, and various positions in retail or customer service. For example, being a firefighter or a teacher, while honorable and valuable, doesn't necessarily pull from the core knowledge one would gain in a Criminal Justice program. Similarly, jobs like accounts receivable coordinator or contractor project manager don't call for skills related to the criminal justice system, which leaves some graduates working outside of their area of study. On the flip side, there are several roles that align closely with a Criminal Justice and Corrections degree. Positions like Case Manager at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice and Investigator roles directly leverage the skills and knowledge acquired during their academic training. Additionally, more specialized roles such as Deputy Sheriff and 911 Telecommunicator utilize crucial aspects of the criminal justice system, reflecting a strong connection between education and career application. Overall, while there are notable instances where graduates have found jobs relevant to their field, many have taken paths that diverge significantly from the central themes of Criminal Justice and Corrections.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates (this is across all Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Sam Houston State University):

What kind of career trajectories do Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from Sam Houston State University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Looking at the career trajectories of Sam Houston State University graduates with degrees in Criminal Justice and Corrections, it's clear that many have found their way into jobs that are fairly relevant to the field. Fresh graduates often start off in roles like case managers, public safety positions, or even as interns in legal settings, like the District Attorney’s Office. Those who graduated around 2010 often began in positions not directly related to criminal justice, but many eventually found their way into more relevant roles such as firefighters or case managers within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice. This suggests a common initial struggle to land straight into a job that perfectly aligns with their degree right after graduation.

Fast forward five to ten years later, and many graduates seem to have settled into solid career paths. People from the Class of 2014, for instance, appear to have moved up significantly within the Texas Department of Criminal Justice, showcasing a trend of advancing in public service roles. On the other hand, some graduates have taken winding paths that bring them to varied fields—even starting their own businesses or moving into areas like marketing and real estate. While it's clear that a good number have experienced substantial success and relevance to their degrees, there are also those who still find themselves in jobs that seem to diverge from the expected career outcomes associated with a Criminal Justice degree. Overall, there’s a mix of outcomes, with a noticeable number of graduates finding meaningful careers in and around criminal justice, service, and law enforcement roles over time, while others have branched out into unrelated fields, which highlights both the challenges and opportunities that come with this degree.

How hard is a Criminal Justice and Corrections degree from Sam Houston State University?

Getting a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections at Sam Houston State University is pretty manageable overall, especially if you’re interested in the subject. It's not the hardest degree out there—most of the courses are designed to give you a solid understanding of the criminal justice system, including some hands-on experiences and theoretical stuff. You’ll definitely have to put in some effort, especially if you want to ace your classes, but if you stay organized and don't procrastinate, things should go pretty smoothly. Like any degree, it has its challenges, but it’s definitely doable for most students who are willing to work for it.

How long does it take?

Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections.

Do Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates from Sam Houston State University tend to make good money?

Looking at these SHSU Criminal Justice and Corrections grads, it seems like their earnings can vary quite a bit. The earlier graduates, like the firefighter and the taxes business owner, might not be raking in the big bucks compared to some newer roles, but they have stable careers. Meanwhile, those who moved into more specialized roles, especially in law like the associate attorney, likely pulled decent salaries right out of school. It seems like the paychecks are decent for most, especially with those involved in public service and law, but others in more entry-level positions may still be working their way up the ladder. Overall, it seems like a mixed bag where some are doing really well, while others might be just getting by!

What buzzwords do Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates use to describe themselves?

Here is a visual representation of the most common words seen in the "about" section of LinkedIn profiles who have a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections (this is across all Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Sam Houston State University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Criminal Justice and Corrections?

Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice and Corrections (ordered by the average relevance score of their Criminal Justice and Corrections graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates:

College Score Count
American Military University 52 13
Bridgewater State University 50 13
University of Central Florida 47 14
University of North Texas 47 14
University of Phoenix 41 23
University of Cincinnati 41 12
Sam Houston State University 35 22
John Jay College (CUNY) 35 12
Ferris State University 34 14
Florida International University 31 17
Liberty University 31 10
California State University-Sacramento 24 14
Colorado Technical University 24 16