What can you do with a Forensic Psychology degree?

First, some facts. Of the Forensic 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 153 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Significantly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 54%, Forensic Psychology graduates have a much lower likelihood (-13%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 54%
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 Forensic Psychology graduate.

See the details:

View a random Forensic Psychology graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 0%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2017 from John Jay College (CUNY) with a Bachelor of Arts - BA in Forensic Psychology. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Real Estate Agent
All Towne Realty
Apr 2019 - Jul 2021
The role of a Real Estate Agent at All Towne Realty does not require forensic psychology knowledge or skills, as it focuses more on sales and customer service rather than psychological principles.

Realtor
All Towne Realty
Mar 2019 - May 2022
Similar to JOB #0, being a Realtor at All Towne Realty does not utilize forensic psychology skills, as the job primarily involves real estate transactions and client relations, not psychological expertise.

Real Estate Agent
Curran Group Real Estate Services
May 2022 - Present
The position of Real Estate Agent at Curran Group Real Estate Services also lacks direct relevance to forensic psychology, as it mainly centers on property sales and market knowledge rather than psychological science.

ABOUT

My name is [NAME REMOVED] Simone. I am a full time New Jersey real estate Broker with Curran Group Real Estate. I am a Multi-Million Dollar producer awarded with the NJ Circle of Excellence and have been awarded top 50 NJ agents In NJ on Social Media. I specialize in Monmouth, Middlesex, Union and Ocean County. As a realtor, my job is to make sure your experience, from start to finish , is a comfortable, exciting and smooth process. I believe in effort and thats what Ill give!

What jobs can you get with a Forensic Psychology degree?

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


After analyzing the various job profiles of individuals who graduated with degrees in Forensic Psychology, it's evident that there is a mix of relevance surrounding the roles they've taken on. Many of these jobs lean heavily towards administrative positions, customer service roles, and various support functions that do not directly correlate with forensic psychology skills and knowledge. For instance, numerous graduates found themselves in positions like administrative assistant, case manager, or roles in retail and hospitality, which typically emphasize organizational tasks and interpersonal skills but seldom require a deep understanding of psychological principles specific to forensic psychology.

On the other hand, there's a noteworthy collection of jobs that are clearly tied to the forensic psychology field. Many graduates secured positions such as mental health counselors, case managers in social services, or roles within law enforcement that directly utilize their knowledge of psychological assessment, human behavior, and legal processes. Positions like that of a police officer, judicial intern, and various roles in mental health care and counseling illustrate how graduates can leverage their degrees effectively in practical applications that align with their academic background.

When assessing the overall trend, it seems the jobs following a degree in forensic psychology often straddle a line between general workplace roles and specialized fields that truly reflect their studies. While some individuals have been fortunate enough to land jobs that are rich in relevance to their degree, others have ended up in positions that require only a surface-level application of the knowledge they gained. This suggests a potential misalignment in the job market or the necessity for graduates to seek additional training or specialization to fully exploit their forensic psychology education in their careers. Ultimately, the landscape is multifaceted, with many graduates navigating a variety of pathways, some closely related to their degree and others much less so.

Here is a visual representation of the most common words in job titles for Forensic Psychology graduates:

What kind of career trajectories do Forensic Psychology graduates have? What do they do 1, 5 or 10 years out?

When we take a look at the career trajectories of individuals who graduated with a degree in Forensic Psychology, it's clear that there are some common patterns and outcomes that emerge over time. For many of these graduates, their first jobs after completing their degrees often fall into supportive or entry-level roles within healthcare, counseling, and related administrative fields. For instance, several graduates started as interns or entry-level case managers, which is pretty common given that these positions allow them to gain valuable experience in real-world settings.

Five to ten years later, the picture becomes a bit more mixed. Some graduates successfully transition into specialized or leadership roles within the forensic psychology and mental health fields, working as therapists, case managers, or attorneys. These positions are definitely more aligned with their academic training and reflect a successful trajectory in the field. However, there’s also a notable number of graduates who have moved into seemingly unrelated fields or administrative roles that don't utilize their degree directly. For example, some have taken on positions in sales, management, or customer service, which suggests that they may not have landed jobs in their preferred field, despite their educational background. There are also graduates involved in roles such as teaching or working in healthcare settings that may not be as clearly linked to forensic psychology, thus reflecting a more indirect application of their studies.

In a nutshell, while there are certainly graduates who find fulfilling careers directly related to their degrees in forensic psychology, a good number transition into unrelated areas or less direct roles within their initial field. This dual pathway highlights the somewhat unpredictable nature of career outcomes for forensic psychology graduates and suggests that while a degree in this field opens doors, it doesn't guarantee a specific career trajectory. For those considering a degree in forensic psychology, it’s important to maintain realistic expectations and be prepared for a variety of career options, even those that might not seem directly connected to their studies.

How hard is a Forensic Psychology degree?

A Bachelor's degree in Forensic Psychology can be a bit challenging, but it's not the hardest degree out there. You'll be diving into topics like criminal behavior, psychology principles, and even the justice system, which can get pretty complex. If you enjoy understanding how people think and behave, you'll likely find it interesting, but be prepared for some heavy reading and writing assignments. Overall, it falls somewhere around average in terms of difficulty—it's definitely doable with some effort, especially if you're passionate about the subject matter!

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 Forensic Psychology.

Do Forensic Psychology graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at these Forensic Psychology graduates, it seems like their earning potential varies quite a bit based on their career choices and job progression. Many of them started in entry-level roles like interns or coordinators, which typically pay less, but some have climbed the ladder into more specialized positions like therapists or analysts, which can offer a significantly higher income. For instance, you can see a couple of individuals who made it to senior management roles in well-established institutions, suggesting they likely have decent salaries and job security as they move up.

However, there are also a lot of graduates with roles that might not pay very well long-term, like case managers or counselors, especially in nonprofit sectors. Those positions can often offer low initial salaries that don’t catch up even after a few years without a significant career jump. Overall, while some graduates look to be on a path to decent salaries, others might find themselves stuck in lower-paying jobs for a while, so it really depends on the paths they've chosen post-graduation.

What buzzwords do Forensic Psychology 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 Forensic Psychology. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Forensic Psychology?

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

College Score Count
Southern New Hampshire University 61 14
John Jay College (CUNY) 51 53
City University of New York-John Jay College of Criminal Justice 43 13