First, some facts. Of the Criminal Justice And Psychology 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 68 LinkedIn profiles (see below).
The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 56%, Criminal Justice And Psychology graduates have a much lower likelihood (-11%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:
And for comparison, here's the chart for all profiles we've looked at across all degrees.
Also, after graduating, 42% 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 Psychology graduate.
See the details:
Relevance score: 58%We think this person has gone into a career only somewhat relevant to their degree.DEGREE INFOGraduated in 2011 from Sam Houston State University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice And Psychology. Also pursued further education since (see below). JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATIONResidential CounselorArrow Child and Family Ministries May 2012 - Jun 2013 Case Manager Arrow Child and Family Ministries Jun 2013 - Jul 2014 Pre-K Teacher Primrose Schools Aug 2014 - Feb 2015 Child Care WoodsEdge Community Church Feb 2015 - Jul 2015 Pre Kindergarten Teacher YMCA Mar 2015 - Aug 2015 8th Grade Social Studies Teacher Cypress-Fairbanks I.S.D. Aug 2015 - Jul 2020 8th Grade History Tea Tomball ISD Aug 2020 - Present FURTHER DEGREES DONE SINCE GRADUATINGTeachers CertificationTexas Teachers 2014 - 2015 ABOUTNo information provided. |
The top 10 most common jobs done by the graduates we've analyzed (ranked most common to least) are:
Throughout the sample of LinkedIn profiles analyzed, it’s clear that graduates with degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology have pursued a wide variety of career paths. There are a few key trends that emerge regarding the types of jobs they have taken up and the relevance of those jobs to their fields of study. Many individuals went into roles that align well with their education, such as case management, counseling, and positions in law enforcement or social services. However, a significant number have gravitated towards positions in areas that do not utilize their degrees effectively, such as administrative roles, customer service, and sales.
A substantial portion of graduates found roles that harnessed their knowledge from criminal justice and psychology directly. Positions like caseworkers, residential counselors, and mental health professionals leverage the education received during their degrees, as these jobs require an understanding of human behavior, legal frameworks, and often necessary psychological principles. For instance, roles such as "Case Manager" or "Probation Parole Officer" explicitly relate to both criminal justice and psychological insight, allowing graduates to apply their knowledge in meaningful ways that can positively affect people's lives and contribute to societal betterment. However, while these relevant roles exist, they are often balanced out by a significant number of graduates who found themselves in positions that bear little relation to their educational background.
On the other hand, many graduates ended up in jobs that offer little to no direct application of their Criminal Justice and Psychology education, such as administrative assistants, sales representatives, and various roles within logistics. These positions focus on skills that are not derived from their degree, leading to a disconnect between their education and professional experiences. While these jobs may provide valuable work experience, they may not be fulfilling or enriching in terms of career advancement within their fields of study. For example, a graduate working as a Food Server or a Visual Designer is gaining experience and skills, but these do not capitalize on their education in criminal justice and psychology. The sheer prevalence of such roles highlights the challenge graduates may face in finding positions that not only suit their degree but also their passions and skills.
Overall, the job landscape for those with a Criminal Justice and Psychology background appears mixed. While there are viable career paths that directly utilize their education and training, a significant number of graduates diverge into fields that offer limited connectivity to their degree, often leaving them to seek out additional qualifications or career shifts later on. This suggests that while their educational backgrounds provide a foundation for understanding crime and behavior, practical job opportunities may not always align as closely, often requiring graduates to adapt their aspirations to the current job market reality.
Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Criminal Justice And Psychology graduates:
When analyzing the career trajectories of individuals who graduated with degrees in Criminal Justice and Psychology, it’s evident that there’s quite a mix of outcomes. Some have successfully landed roles that are closely aligned with their studies, while others have drifted into positions that seem to stray far from their original academic focus. For many fresh graduates, their first jobs tend to be a blend of internship experiences and entry-level roles in related fields. For example, recent grads such as those from the University of North Florida and Endicott College started out as case managers or counselors, which makes sense given their academic backgrounds in psychology and criminal justice.
As we look further down the road, say five years after graduation, we can see a bit of a bifurcation. Some graduates have advanced into roles directly connected to their degrees, such as therapists, probation officers, and clinical counselors. However, there are also those who have taken entirely different routes, ending up in positions like administrative assistant, visual designer, or even food service jobs, which have little relevance to their fields of study. Ten years post-graduation, the trends continue to show that while some individuals have climbed the ranks in their chosen fields, others have transitioned into unrelated industries or roles that just don’t quite match the expectations set by their degrees. Overall, while there are successful and relevant careers to point to within this group, there’s also a significant number not using their Criminal Justice and Psychology degrees in their current careers.
Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and Psychology can be a bit of a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. On one hand, you’ll definitely face some challenging coursework, especially when diving into topics like criminal behavior, legal systems, and psychological theories. If you’re into reading and writing, be prepared for a decent amount of papers and case studies. On the other hand, it might feel a bit easier than some hardcore science or engineering majors, so if you have a genuine interest in understanding human behavior and the justice system, it could be pretty engaging. Just keep in mind that it requires consistent effort and a good deal of critical thinking, but if you stay organized and passionate, you’ll likely find it manageable!
Most commonly, in the LinkedIn profiles we've looked at, it takes people 4 years to finish a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice And Psychology.
Looking at the job history of these graduates, there's a mixed bag when it comes to making decent money. For instance, the recent grads in entry-level positions, like the Operations Associate and the Residential Hall Manager, likely aren't raking in the big bucks yet. They may be earning modest salaries typical for their roles but have room for growth. On the other hand, those who have transitioned to managerial or specialized roles, like the Program Manager at Apptio or the Clinical Director at Girls' Haven, are probably experiencing a more comfortable salary that can lead to bigger financial stability over time.
Overall, it's clear that there are graduates landing jobs that will likely lead to good earnings, especially in fields like law enforcement, healthcare, and education. However, those who are just starting or working in less specialized roles might not be cashing in as much right away. So, while some are on the path to earning well, others might have to grind a bit longer before seeing the financial rewards they hope for.
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 Psychology. This may or may not be useful:
Here are all colleges offering a Bachelor degree in Criminal Justice And Psychology (ordered by the average relevance score of their Criminal Justice And Psychology graduates, best to worst) where we have analyzed at least 10 of their graduates: