What can you do with a Justice Studies degree?

First, some facts. Of the Justice Studies 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 63 LinkedIn profiles (see below).

The verdict? Slightly below average. Overall, with an average relevance score of 63%, Justice Studies graduates have a slightly lower likelihood (-4%) of finding work in this field compared to the average graduate across all fields:

Average score: 63%
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, 36% 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 Justice Studies graduate.

See the details:

View a random Justice Studies graduate and our analysis:


Relevance score: 100%

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

DEGREE INFO

Graduated in 2016 from Grand Canyon University with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Justice Studies. No other secondary education since.

JOB HISTORY SINCE GRADUATION
Clerical Specialist(Police Civilian)
Baton Rouge Police Department
Sep 2016 - Mar 2017
The position of Clerical Specialist at the Baton Rouge Police Department is directly related to Justice Studies as it involves supporting law enforcement operations and requires knowledge of legal and justice systems.

Senior Clerical Specialist
Baton Rouge Police Department Violent Crimes Unit
Mar 2017 - Present
As a Senior Clerical Specialist in the Violent Crimes Unit, the role is even more aligned with Justice Studies, utilizing specific skills and knowledge from the degree to assist in crime analysis and support investigations.

ABOUT

Experienced Administrative worker with a demonstrated history of working in Justice Industry. Skilled in Microsoft Word, Communication, Organizational & Writing Skills, Administration, and Teamwork. Strong administrative professional with a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) focused in Justice Studies from Grand Canyon University.

What jobs can you get with a Justice Studies degree?

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


When analyzing the career paths of individuals who have graduated with a degree in Justice Studies, a clear pattern emerges in the types of jobs they tend to take on. The most common roles within this field are heavily focused on law enforcement, security, and roles that intersect with the legal system, such as police officers, compliance analysts, and legal assistants. Many graduates found their way into positions that directly leverage their educational background, allowing them to apply the theories and practical knowledge they gained during their studies. For instance, multiple individuals moved into police officer roles, exemplifying a direct application of their training in Justice Studies, which encompasses an understanding of law enforcement principles, community safety, and legal procedures. Other notable positions include compliance analysts, whose work in regulatory environments echoes the framework of justice systems learned in their coursework.

However, not all jobs held by Justice Studies graduates are directly relevant to their field of study. Many individuals have taken on roles that appear more disconnected from their degrees, such as project managers, sales positions, or roles in hospitality. For instance, roles like a sales representative or customer service specialist do not require specialized knowledge from Justice Studies and may focus more on general business skills or interpersonal communication instead. While some roles do offer transferable skills, such as conflict resolution or understanding social policies, they do not engage the core content of the Justice Studies curriculum. This discrepancy highlights that while some graduates are effectively utilizing their education in meaningful ways, others are venturing into less directly related sectors, possibly due to the broad nature of their degree or the competitive job market.

In conclusion, while there are indeed opportunities for Justice Studies graduates in relevant fields such as law enforcement and compliance, many also find themselves in roles that stray from their expertise. The job market remains diverse, and the skills gained from a Justice Studies education can sometimes be applied beyond strict legal or criminal justice settings. The challenge for graduates interested in remaining within their field is to seek out positions that align with their specialized knowledge and maintain a focus on the principles of justice and law in their careers.

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

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

When we look at the career paths of graduates in Justice Studies from various universities, it’s clear that there’s a mix of successes and challenges in terms of finding related employment. Right out of college, many of these individuals seem to gravitate towards jobs that are directly connected to the criminal justice system or security fields. For instance, you might see roles like security officer, police officer, or even specific investigative positions in areas such as anti-money laundering. The initial job placements often reflect a strong inclination towards law enforcement or security, suggesting that these graduates are eager to step into roles that have them engaging directly with legal and societal issues.

However, looking at the five to ten-year mark, the results begin to show a more varied landscape. Some individuals clearly advance within justice-related fields, taking on more specialized roles in compliance, various analyst positions, or even moving up the ranks into higher responsibilities, such as probation officers or directors of security. On the flip side, many others seem to have strayed from their original path, venturing into unrelated industries without a direct link to Justice Studies. This indicates that while some have managed to carve out successful and relevant careers over time, others have seemingly faced barriers or have chosen to pivot to alternative career paths. The trend suggests that while a Justice Studies degree can lead to promising opportunities, it doesn’t guarantee a clear-cut trajectory into law enforcement or justice-related fields for all. In fact, it appears that a significant portion lands in roles that don’t necessarily harness the skills they would have honed during their studies. Overall, if you're considering this path, it's essential to remain flexible and open to where your career may lead you, as it can be a bit of a mixed bag.

How hard is a Justice Studies degree?

Honestly, a Bachelor’s degree in Justice Studies can be a mixed bag when it comes to difficulty. It’s not usually one of the harder programs out there, and many students find it pretty manageable, especially if they have a genuine interest in the subject. You’ll dive into topics like criminology, law, and social justice, which can be super engaging if you’re passionate about those areas. While there will be research papers and some complex theories to grasp, most of the workload is pretty standard compared to other majors. If you stay organized and keep up with your readings, you should find it more interesting than anything else—definitely on the easier side if you put in the effort!

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 Justice Studies.

Do Justice Studies graduates tend to make good money?

Looking at the job histories of these Justice Studies graduates, it seems like some have carved out decent financial paths, while others may be struggling a bit more. For instance, the graduate from Kent State University has worked in various security and police roles, where salaries can vary significantly depending on location and experience. Their current roles, especially in compliance and anti-money laundering, typically offer better pay, indicating they might be making a solid income now. However, their earlier positions like being a security officer likely paid much less, which indicates a possible rocky financial start.

On the other hand, graduates from institutions like San Jose State University who’ve moved into administrative roles or those involved in economic development may also find themselves doing well financially. However, others who have just started out—like the recent grads or positions in social services—can often be on the lower end of the pay scale. Overall, it's a mixed bag, and while some are likely making decent money, others might still be hustling to reach that stage.

What buzzwords do Justice Studies 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 Justice Studies. This may or may not be useful:

What are the best colleges for Justice Studies?

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

College Score Count
San Jose State University 77 12
James Madison University 62 14
Arizona State University 58 11