What can you do with a Criminal Justice degree from Old Dominion University?

First, some facts. Of the Criminal Justice graduates from Old Dominion 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 13 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 59%, Criminal Justice graduates from Old Dominion University have a lower likelihood (-8%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 59%
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 30% 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 graduates, and it's normal to look for work straight after graduation.

See the details:

View a random Criminal Justice graduate from Old Dominion University and our analysis:


Relevance score: 37%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2013 from Old Dominion University with a Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Public Policy Associate
Cavarocchi, Ruscio, Dennis Associates
Oct 2013 - Jan 2014
The role of Public Policy Associate may involve an understanding of criminal justice policies but does not directly require criminal justice knowledge on a daily basis.

Membership Representative
American Sociological Association
Jun 2014 - Jun 2016
Membership Representative primarily involves communication and customer service skills, which are not rooted in criminal justice knowledge.

Program Assistant, Minority Fellowship Program
American Sociological Association
Jun 2016 - Nov 2017
The Program Assistant position may utilize some knowledge of social issues related to criminal justice, but it's not focused on criminal justice itself.

Outreach and Marketing Specialist, Fellowships Office
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Nov 2017 - Oct 2019
The Outreach and Marketing Specialist role may engage with topics related to science and engineering policy, which can intersect with criminal justice issues but does not require criminal justice knowledge as a core qualification.

Outreach and Marketing Associate, Fellowships Office
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Oct 2019 - Jan 2021
The position of Outreach and Marketing Associate may involve engagement with topics of public interest including those related to criminal justice, but it does not require direct application of criminal justice knowledge.

Associate Program Officer, Marketing Specialist
The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine
Jun 2020 - Nov 2021
The Associate Program Officer position may work with fellowship programs that could intersect with criminal justice issues, but it lacks a clear focus on criminal justice knowledge requirements.

Community Outreach and Enrollment Manager
For Love of Children
Jul 2022 - Feb 2023
The Community Outreach and Enrollment Manager position likely employs criminal justice knowledge, particularly related to community services and support systems, making it highly relevant.

Enrichment Coordinator
FLEX Academies
Aug 2023 - Present
The role of Enrichment Coordinator does not pertain to criminal justice expertise; it focuses more on educational support and coordination.

ABOUT

[NAME REMOVED] is a dedicated and impassioned marketing professional driven by a profound commitment to enhancing the quality of life for underserved communities and at-risk youth and young adults.His achievements include, but are not limited to: Spearheaded the vision and strategy for over 15 outreach and social media campaigns for a minority fellowship research funding program. Implemented strategies leading to an outstanding 85% increase in qualified application submissions from diverse STEM candidates. Skillfully negotiating procurements, resulting in a substantial reduction of expenses by over $19,000 in fellowship program advertising. Cultivated engagement with a robust network of more than 3000 alumni, seamlessly integrating them into program promotion initiatives. Collaborated cross-departmental and with external stakeholders to champion diversity within the National Academies' activities.[NAME REMOVED]'s unwavering dedication and proven track record make him an invaluable asset in any professional setting.

What jobs can you get with a Criminal Justice degree from Old Dominion University?

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


When looking at the career paths of those who graduated with a Criminal Justice degree from Old Dominion University, it's clear that many have pursued jobs closely related to the field. A significant number ended up in roles that deal directly with the justice system, including positions like legal interns, victim advocates, and probation officers. These jobs typically make use of the knowledge and skills acquired in their studies, particularly in understanding legal principles, victim rights, and operational protocols within the justice system. It’s not just about being in a courtroom, either; many graduates have taken on roles in security and risk management, where their background helps them navigate safety protocols and compliance regulations. Such positions are definitely relevant and exhibit how the degree can apply in various ways.

However, there are also quite a few graduates who ended up in jobs that aren't directly tied to criminal justice. For example, some took roles in mortgage companies or IT support, which don't necessitate any criminal justice knowledge. Even within the realm of law enforcement and security, some positions leaned more toward management and administrative tasks that don't directly engage the core aspects of criminal justice. So, while many graduates utilize their education effectively in justice-related roles, there is a notable portion that veers off into other industries, reflecting a broader scope of career possibilities beyond the traditional justice sector.

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

What kind of career trajectories do Criminal Justice graduates from Old Dominion University have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

Graduates from the Criminal Justice program at Old Dominion University seem to have had a diverse range of career trajectories, with many individuals securing roles that are at least somewhat aligned with their degrees, especially in the first few years after graduation. Common initial jobs include positions in law firms such as paralegal roles, as well as entry-level roles in security and law enforcement. Over time, it becomes evident that while some graduate paths remain connected to criminal justice—such as those who take on roles as victim advocates or probation officers—others transition into entirely different fields, often moving into corporate roles or management positions in industries like mortgage lending and marketing. This indicates that the skills learned during their studies in Criminal Justice may lend themselves to various career options.

Looking 5 to 10 years out, it’s clear that some graduates have advanced significantly within their careers, often in specialized positions like security officers or consultants for firms like Booz Allen Hamilton, showcasing a potential trend of graduates staying in roles that leverage their educational background while climbing the professional ladder. Conversely, others have moved towards roles that seem less connected to their field at all, transitioning into areas like public policy, marketing, or even technical support. While some alumni certainly find meaningful and relevant careers in criminal justice-related fields, others may pursue opportunities that aren't as closely linked, suggesting a mixed bag of outcomes for those entering the workforce. Overall, there's a potential spectrum of success, and while some are thriving in positions that use their degree directly, others have ventured far from those initial career tracks.

How hard is a Criminal Justice degree from Old Dominion University?

Honestly, getting a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice, whether at Old Dominion University or any other school, falls somewhere in the moderate range in terms of difficulty. It’s not crazy hard, but it does require commitment and a decent amount of reading, writing, and critical thinking. You'll dive into topics like criminology, law enforcement, and the legal system, which can be pretty interesting if you're into that stuff, but it’s not just a walk in the park. Some classes might challenge you, especially if you’re not used to research or writing papers. Overall, if you put in the effort and stay organized, you'll probably find it manageable and even enjoyable!

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.

Do Criminal Justice graduates from Old Dominion University tend to make good money?

Looking at these Criminal Justice grads from Old Dominion University, it seems like there’s a pretty mixed bag when it comes to how much money they’re making. Some of them climbed the ladder in secure research and project management roles at ODU, which likely pays decently, especially at the director and assistant VP levels. Meanwhile, others have taken roles like paralegal and victim advocate, which can start off on the lower end but might grow with experience. On the other hand, a couple of grads found themselves in consulting and management at places like Booz Allen Hamilton and Target, where salaries tend to be more competitive. Overall, it looks like some of these folks are doing pretty well, especially those in management and security roles, while others might be still working their way up.

What buzzwords do Criminal Justice 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 (this is across all Criminal Justice graduates we've analyzed, not just those who went to Old Dominion University). This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Criminal Justice?

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

College Score Count
Westfield State University 77 10
University of Central Missouri 70 11
Monroe College 69 13
Bowling Green State University 67 10
American Military University 67 28
Kennesaw State University 64 12
East Carolina University 62 18
Ferris State University 62 16
Liberty University 61 18
San Diego State University 61 17
Temple University 60 16
West Chester University of Pennsylvania 60 10
Michigan State University 59 17
University of Delaware 59 11
Old Dominion University 59 13
California State University-Sacramento 55 22
Georgia State University 54 10
Florida Atlantic University 54 16
University of Phoenix 53 31
San Francisco State University 53 12
Radford University 52 10
John Jay College (CUNY) 52 37
Sam Houston State University 51 42
University of Nevada, Reno 51 10
University of Central Florida 50 27
Florida International University 50 33
University of North Carolina at Charlotte 50 17
Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania 49 10
University of New Haven 49 17
University of Maryland University College 48 11
The University of Texas at San Antonio 46 17
University of Nevada-Las Vegas 45 12
University of Cincinnati 44 14
Grand Valley State University 43 12
Saint Leo University 43 13
University of North Texas 41 21
Troy University 38 12
Colorado Technical University 33 17
Texas State University 31 13
University of North Florida 28 10
Norwich University 27 13