What is the best degree for a felon?

Asked by: Angelica Rutherford  |  Last update: September 18, 2025
Score: 4.7/5 (12 votes)

The list below highlights degree options for ex-offenders.
  • Construction Management. Many construction companies do not perform background checks. ...
  • Counseling. Some agencies hire ex-offenders as counselors to help those who are currently incarcerated. ...
  • Computer Science. ...
  • Culinary Arts. ...
  • Graphic Design.

What is the best job a felon can get?

Lot of skilled trade jobs like construction, welding, landscaping, electrician, plumber, pipefitter and gas fitter will hire felons which you can find on indeed and Craigslist along with in person job site. Also truck driving too. Even restraunts and slaughterhouses along with meat packing plants.

What is the best degree for a convicted felon near?

This list will help you make informed educational choices about your future.
  1. Business Administration. One of the best online degrees for felons is business administration. ...
  2. Computer Science. ...
  3. Construction Management. ...
  4. Counseling. ...
  5. Criminal Justice. ...
  6. Culinary Arts. ...
  7. Entrepreneurship. ...
  8. Foreign Language.

Is college worth it for a felon?

A degree helps because (especially if you do well) it demonstrates that you've left your criminal past behind. It indicates you've learned new skills. It gives you opportunities to demonstrate you can contribute positively to your university (eg via extracurricular activities).

Can you get a bachelor's degree with a felony?

Being a convicted felon is not a bar to a college degree or a career. A felony conviction doesn't restrict you from most jobs, and there are countless major corporations that will hire felons.

Best Jobs for Felons | Jobs After Prison

41 related questions found

Will colleges accept you with a felony?

Yes, you can still attend college with a felony. There are no legal restrictions that prevent you from attending college with a felony record.

Are there grants for felons to go to school?

You may qualify for a Federal Pell Grant if you've been convicted, are incarcerated in a federal or state penal facility, and are enrolled in an approved prison education program.

How many felons have college degrees?

This statistic represents the number of convicted federal offenders in the United States in 2014, by educational attainment. That year, 4,178 offenders, around 6.3 percent, had graduated from college.

What medical jobs can a felon get?

felony friendly healthcare jobs
  • CNA - Certified Nursing Assistant (NIGHTS) Hiring multiple candidates. ...
  • Dental Hygienist. ...
  • Caregiver - No License/Certification Required, *New Increased Wages* ...
  • General Labor Felony Friendly. ...
  • Full-Time Staff Pharmacist. ...
  • Strengthen your profile. ...
  • Social Worker. ...
  • Licensed Veterinary Technician.

Can felons get FAFSA?

You are free to apply for all forms of federal student aid, including those you couldn't get while you were incarcerated. However, the drug and sex offense restrictions still apply (see above).

What states is the most felon friendly?

50-State Comparison: Limits on Use of Criminal Record in Employment, Licensing & Housing
  • Utah. ...
  • Vermont. ...
  • Virgin Islands. ...
  • Virginia. ...
  • Washington. ...
  • West Virginia. ...
  • Wisconsin. ...
  • Wyoming. Wyoming has no laws restricting consideration of criminal record in employment, including limits on application-stage employer inquiries.

How do I get a job after a felony conviction?

These are some tips you can use to find a job if you have a felony conviction on your record:
  1. Know the details of your background check. ...
  2. Specify your intent to discuss the felony during the interview. ...
  3. Be honest about your history. ...
  4. Seek out organizations that specifically provide opportunities.

What degree felony is worse?

In criminal law, a first-degree offense is the worst felony. It's worse than a second-degree offense, which is worse than a third-degree offense, and so on. So the higher the degree, the lesser the crime.

Do felonies go away after 7 years?

Dismissed felony charges can usually be sealed or expunged right away. In California, a felony conviction stays on your record forever if you do not get it expunged. You may be eligible for an expungement if you did not serve time in state prison.

What are the cons of being a felon?

Let's take a look at some of the hard-to-believe ways that felons continue to be punished even after they've done their time.
  • You can't travel, but you also can't find a home. ...
  • You can't vote. ...
  • You can't serve on a jury. ...
  • You can't get public benefits. ...
  • You can't get a job.

Do any government jobs hire felons?

People with criminal records are eligible to compete for the vast majority of federal jobs. During the hiring process, Federal agencies are generally required to consider people with criminal records IF they are among the highest rated candidates and can comply with the job requirements.

What benefits can felons get?

Social Security and Supplemental Security Income Benefits

An individual released from incarceration may be eligible for Social Security retirement, survivors, or disability benefits if they have worked or paid into Social Security enough years.

Do hospitals hire ex felons?

States carefully regulate the licensing of care providers, and laws often relate to those in support roles. These rules apply to hospitals and often to nursing homes, hospices, and more. Some types of criminal history, including violent felonies, disqualify applicants nationwide.

Do medical schools accept felons?

Disclosure in the application provides you an opportunity to frame the incident in your own words. Felony or misdemeanor convictions may prevent some medical students from completing their experiential education requirements or obtaining licensure after graduation due to site or state restrictions.

How likely are ex-offenders to get a job offer?

A crimi- nal record reduced a white applicant's probability of getting a callback by 50 percent. Blacks indicating a criminal past had more severe results. Their chance of getting a job offer was reduced by 65 percent.

How do prisoners get college degrees?

Many college programs are offered to incarcerated students at no cost, as the majority of them are funded by the state and the colleges themselves through endowments. That said, there are some courses that may require students or their families to cover the costs.

Can you get a PhD with a felony?

Here's the bad news: it's not going to be easy. These candidates also faced many rejections in the process. You will need to disclose your criminal record in your applications, and some will not accept you due to your criminal record no matter how strong your application is.

Can a convicted felon get FAFSA?

If you're a student with criminal convictions, the government will most likely limit your FAFSA eligibility, but don't panic. Instead, study up on your status and work with a lawyer or a financial aid office to see what financial aid options you have.

What is the federal program for hiring felons?

Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC)

It applies to previously incarcerated individuals hired no later than one year after conviction or release from prison. The WOTC can provide an employer up to $9,600 in tax relief for each qualifying hire.

What business can a felon start?

What are some business ideas for felons?
  • Start Freelancing On Fiverr Or Upwork.
  • Online Business.
  • Lawn Care Business.
  • Car Wash Owner.
  • Dry Cleaning.
  • Carpentry, Welding, or Plumbing.
  • Affiliate Marketing.
  • Open a Pet Grooming Salon.