Employability of BS Criminology Graduates in the Philippines: A PRISMA 2020 Systematic Review of Employment Outcomes, Competencies, Career Pathways, and Workforce Challenges

Abstract

Graduate employability is a key indicator of higher education quality and curriculum effectiveness. In the Philippines, numerous tracer studies have examined the employment outcomes of Bachelor of Science (BS) Criminology graduates; however, the evidence remains fragmented across institutions. This systematic review synthesized the available evidence on the employability of BS Criminology graduates by examining employment outcomes, competencies, career pathways, employment challenges, regional career trajectories, and employability indicators. The review followed the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA 2020) guidelines. Electronic databases were systematically searched to identify published peer-reviewed tracer studies involving BS Criminology graduates in the Philippines. Studies were screened using predefined eligibility criteria, relevant data were extracted using a standardized form, and methodological quality was critically appraised. Due to substantial heterogeneity in study characteristics, outcome measures, and reporting formats, a narrative synthesis was conducted. A total of 21 studies met the eligibility criteria and were included in the systematic review, although the number of studies contributing to each synthesis varied by review objective. The findings demonstrated generally favorable employability outcomes, with most studies reporting employment rates exceeding 75% and graduates securing employment within one year after graduation. Government agencies, particularly the Philippine National Police and other criminal justice institutions, were the primary employers. Communication skills, interpersonal skills, critical thinking, ethical decision-making, and criminology knowledge were consistently associated with successful employment, while the Board Licensure Examination for Criminologists served as a key professional qualification. Despite positive employability outcomes, methodological inconsistencies across tracer studies limited cross-study comparability. Standardized tracer study frameworks are recommended to strengthen future evidence synthesis, support curriculum enhancement, and inform evidence-based higher education and workforce policies.