What can you do with a Criminal Justice And Criminology degree?

First, some facts. Of the Criminal Justice And Criminology graduates 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 67 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 57%, Criminal Justice And Criminology graduates have a lower likelihood (-10%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 57%
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, 40% 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 you may need more than just a Bachelors degree to be competitive as a Criminal Justice And Criminology graduate.

See the details:

View a random Criminal Justice And Criminology graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 58%

We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2016 from Arizona State University with a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice And Criminology. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Officer
Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections
Mar 2016 - Jun 2016
As an Officer at the Arizona Department of Juvenile Corrections, the job directly employs knowledge of criminal justice and criminology principles, making it highly relevant to the Bachelor's degree.

Work Crew Leader
MARICOPA COUNTY ADULT PROBATION
Jun 2019 - Oct 2019
The role of Work Crew Leader at Maricopa County Adult Probation utilizes specific criminal justice knowledge and skills in supervising probationers, thus closely aligning with the degree.

Account Manager
Allied Universal
Sep 2021 - Jul 2022
As an Account Manager at Allied Universal, some skills related to security and client management may be applicable, but the core qualifications do not directly require knowledge from criminal justice or criminology.

GSOC Operator
Allied Universal
Jul 2022 - Present
The GSOC Operator position at Allied Universal may involve some relevant security knowledge, but it primarily focuses on operational monitoring rather than applying the principles of criminal justice or criminology directly.

ABOUT

Summary of Qualifications and Skills 8 years with corporate and administrative security. Managing schedules and payroll. Advanced in physical security, asset protection, and investigations. Developed and implemented new strategies, process improvements to effectively help staff totrack all tasks. Strong investigation skills constantly providing/ gathering information based on unbiased factsfor HR and Corporate Investigator assistance. Successfully managed and implemented timely completion of multiple projects includingphysical security integration of video, alarm, access control and gathering information inreporting form for others to access. Communicating between staff and leadership to help ensure both parties are happy with workloadand performance. Holding subordinates accountable and providing developmental direction. Excellent verbal and written communication skills

What jobs can you get with a Criminal Justice And Criminology degree?

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


When looking through the job experiences of graduates with degrees in Criminal Justice and Criminology, a clear pattern emerges. Many have ventured into roles that are directly related to criminal justice, while others have taken paths that are less connected to their studies. Among the most common roles for these graduates include positions like Probation Officers, Legal Assistants, and various law clerk roles. Other notable positions involve work as detectives, investigators, and security officers, roles that inherently demand a deep understanding of legal frameworks and criminal behavior. It’s evident that positions like these are not just side gigs; they are often central to the career trajectories of those with a background in criminal justice.

However, the relevance of some jobs to the field of Criminal Justice and Criminology can be questionable. For instance, several graduates found themselves working in roles such as sales associates, customer service representatives, and administrative positions that require no specific knowledge of criminal justice. While these jobs can help develop transferable skills, they don't utilize the knowledge obtained during their degree program. It's a tough pill to swallow for many who might expect that a degree in criminal justice would lead them to a job in the field right away. This disconnect between education and career can leave graduates feeling underutilized and potentially seeking out additional training or education to break into the fields they studied for.

Overall, while many graduates are successfully landing jobs that directly utilize their degrees, a significant number are finding themselves in positions that, despite offering valuable work experience, don't fulfill their aspirations in the realm of Criminal Justice and Criminology. It’s crucial for students currently in these programs to network effectively and seek internships that align more closely with their career goals, as this might just be the key to ensuring that their education complements their future job opportunities.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Criminal Justice And Criminology graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Criminal Justice And Criminology graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When looking at the career trajectories of graduates with degrees in Criminal Justice and Criminology, it's clear that their paths can vary dramatically. Some appear to have successfully secured positions relevant to their field shortly after graduation, while others have taken a more winding route, finding themselves in jobs that might seem unrelated to their studies or the justice system. For instance, many graduates from programs like the University of Illinois Springfield and Georgia Southern University found initial roles in judicial internships or legal assistance, which makes sense given their educational background. These first jobs often serve as critical stepping stones, allowing them to gain relevant experience and build their professional network.

On the other hand, there’s a significant group that ends up in roles that are clearly outside the traditional career paths associated with Criminal Justice and Criminology. Some graduates are working in retail or unrelated administrative positions, like those from Arkansas Tech University or Ball State University. This pattern suggests that while some early-career professionals are landing roles directly tied to their degrees, others are struggling to find meaningful employment in their field. Over a span of 5 to 10 years, those who begin their careers relevant to their degree often continue progressing in similar areas, potentially advancing to supervisory or specialized positions in law enforcement, legal practice, or corrections. However, the reality is that graduates who veer away into unrelated job sectors may find it challenging to pivot back to careers in Criminal Justice without additional qualifications or training.

Overall, while some graduates are clearly thriving in careers that align with their studies in Criminal Justice and Criminology, others have had less success in securing relevant positions. This hints at a systemic issue where not all graduates are able to convert their education into jobs in their field of interest, leading to a mixed bag of outcomes. As a high school student considering a future in this field, it’s important to understand that while a degree can open doors, the reality of the job market means persistence, networking, and sometimes even a bit of luck play a huge role in career development.

How hard is a Criminal Justice And Criminology degree?

A Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Criminology can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. It’s generally about average—some parts can be pretty chill, like introductory courses that just give you the basic lay of the land, while other classes might dive deep into theories and complex legal concepts that require lots of reading and critical thinking. You’ll deal with research projects, case studies, and maybe some statistics, which can be a drag if that’s not your thing. Overall, if you stay organized and keep up with the workload, it’s definitely doable, but be prepared for a few challenging moments along the way!

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 Criminology.

Do Criminal Justice And Criminology graduates tend to make good money?

So, looking at all these graduates and their career paths, it seems like there's quite a range in terms of how well they’re making money. For example, those who went into legal roles, like the graduates from the University of Illinois Springfield or those who have experience working in law offices, probably have a decent paycheck, especially as they gain more experience. In contrast, recent grads like the one from Arkansas Tech University who started as a Pro Order Fulfillment Specialist may not be pulling in the big bucks just yet, but the Graduate Assistant role could be a stepping stone to something better down the line.

Meanwhile, folks who have climbed into supervisory or management roles, like those who worked their way up at big firms or companies (think the graduate from University of Maryland College Park), are likely doing pretty well financially. The trends suggest that the longer you stay in the field and the more responsibility you take on, the better your earning potential becomes. Overall, it looks like some have definitely made decent money since graduating, especially in law-related positions, while others are still building their way up and might be earning a more modest income for now.

What buzzwords do Criminal Justice And Criminology 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 Criminology. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Criminal Justice And Criminology?

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

College Score Count
Arizona State University 47 16