Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Job outlook for instructors, adjunct faculty in the United States
Instructor, adjunct faculty job growth summary. After extensive research, interviews, and analysis, Zippia's data science team found that:
The projected instructor, adjunct faculty job growth rate is 2% from 2018-2028.
About 5,400 new jobs for instructors, adjunct faculty are projected over the next decade.
Instructor, adjunct faculty salaries have increased 10% for instructors, adjunct faculty in the last 5 years.
There are over 282,048 instructors, adjunct faculty currently employed in the United States.
There are 37,739 active instructor, adjunct faculty job openings in the US.
The average instructor, adjunct faculty salary is $52,225.
Are instructor, adjunct faculty jobs in demand?
Instructor, adjunct faculty job and salary trends over time
Instructor, adjunct faculty jobs over time
Instructor, adjunct faculty job growth rate over time
| Year | # of jobs | % of population |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 282,048 | 0.08% |
| 2020 | 963,694 | 0.29% |
| 2019 | 1,007,611 | 0.30% |
| 2018 | 456,136 | 0.14% |
| 2017 | 457,924 | 0.14% |
Average instructor, adjunct faculty salary over time
Instructor, adjunct faculty salary by year
| Year | Avg. salary | Hourly rate | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $52,225 | $25.11 | +1.8% |
| 2024 | $51,286 | $24.66 | +2.8% |
| 2023 | $49,877 | $23.98 | +2.9% |
| 2022 | $48,450 | $23.29 | +1.9% |
| 2021 | $47,567 | $22.87 | +2.4% |
Instructor, adjunct faculty jobs by state
Most common states for instructors, adjunct faculty
| Rank | State | Population | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | District of Columbia | 693,972 | 190 | 27% |
| 2 | Alaska | 739,795 | 149 | 20% |
| 3 | Virginia | 8,470,020 | 1,404 | 17% |
| 4 | Colorado | 5,607,154 | 926 | 17% |
| 5 | Montana | 1,050,493 | 176 | 17% |
| 6 | Oregon | 4,142,776 | 555 | 13% |
| 7 | Vermont | 623,657 | 84 | 13% |
| 8 | South Carolina | 5,024,369 | 582 | 12% |
| 9 | New Jersey | 9,005,644 | 886 | 10% |
| 10 | Maryland | 6,052,177 | 581 | 10% |
| 11 | Kentucky | 4,454,189 | 457 | 10% |
| 12 | North Carolina | 10,273,419 | 911 | 9% |
| 13 | Massachusetts | 6,859,819 | 598 | 9% |
| 14 | Iowa | 3,145,711 | 293 | 9% |
| 15 | Wyoming | 579,315 | 51 | 9% |
| 16 | New York | 19,849,399 | 1,643 | 8% |
| 17 | Indiana | 6,666,818 | 563 | 8% |
| 18 | Utah | 3,101,833 | 260 | 8% |
| 19 | Nebraska | 1,920,076 | 160 | 8% |
| 20 | Rhode Island | 1,059,639 | 87 | 8% |
Most common cities for instructors, adjunct faculty
| Rank | City | # of jobs | Employment/ 1000ppl | Avg. salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Downers Grove | 1 | 2% | $41,952 |
| 2 | Moline | 1 | 2% | $41,902 |
| 3 | Spring Hill | 1 | 1% | $49,568 |
| 4 | San Antonio | 2 | 0% | $53,759 |
| 5 | Glendale | 1 | 0% | $43,955 |
| 6 | Orlando | 1 | 0% | $49,306 |
| 7 | Saint Paul | 1 | 0% | $62,210 |
Instructor, Adjunct Faculty job outlook: Expert opinions
Our panel of instructor, adjunct faculty experts
Tiffin University
Georgia College and State University
North Carolina State University
Metropolitan State University
University of Central Missouri
College of the Marshall Islands
Skidmore College
Lehigh University
Ashford University
Newberry College
Plymouth State University
Xavier University of Louisiana
Meredith College
Adelphi University
Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
Southeastern Louisiana University
Cal State LA
Siena College
What will help Instructors, Adjunct Faculty increase their earning potential?
Alex Holte PhD: When you are starting out at any career, it is important to negotiate your salary. Many candidates feel that they have to accept their first offer, but in reality, at many jobs, there is some room for negotiation. Be mindful however, to not request a salary that is much higher than what is being offered as they may feel like a compromise would not be possible and move on to the next candidate.
Dr. Stephanie Opfer
Associate Professor of English, Assistant Dean of the School of Creative and Media ArtsTiffin University
Visual And Performing Arts
What general advice would you give to an Instructor, Adjunct Faculty?
Dr. Stephanie Opfer: Because of the state of higher education in our country today, teaching in higher education can be a difficult field to break into. However, most colleges and universities still hire adjunct instructors (part-time instructors). Students shouldn't be afraid to teach as an adjunct for a while to get some experience and decide if teaching is for them.
What Instructor, Adjunct Faculty skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Stephanie Opfer: Flexibility and adaptability will be the biggest skills instructors will need. The state of higher education is changing, and the 'ivory tower' is going away. Colleges and universities are starting to focus more on career-oriented programs, which include practical and application skill sets. In order to stay relevant, the focus of humanities classes like art and film should be on teaching students analysis, synthesis, and other critical-thinking skills. The content becomes less important and becomes only the vehicle for teaching these skills.
What will help Instructors, Adjunct Faculty increase their earning potential?
Dr. Stephanie Opfer: Unfortunately, teaching as an adjunct does not pay well. Students should keep their full-time jobs and teach part-time until they find a full-time job at a college or university. That part-time teaching provides them valuable experience and connections that make them more competitive candidates for full-time positions because they'd also be competing with candidates who have PhDs. So adjunct work is more of a long-term investment rather than an immediate return. Also, even full-time teaching jobs don't pay particularly well, so they'll really need to love teaching if they want to do it full-time. If they don't like teaching as an adjunct, they won't like doing it full-time.
Matheson Sanchez Ph.D.
Assistant Professor of Criminal JusticeGeorgia College and State University
Criminal Justice And Corrections
What will help Instructors, Adjunct Faculty increase their earning potential?
Matheson Sanchez Ph.D.: This is a tricky question, because many salaries in the criminal justice system are set by legislative budgetary decisions. In other words, a supervisor usually has no power to offer any incentivizing packages or increased salary. However, it's not all bad news. More than ever before, many areas in the CJ system are desperate for qualified applicants to fill their ranks. This means that salaries are going up just about everywhere. Furthermore, students should consider broadening their job search to include a nation-wide scope. It can at times be worth it to relocate for a substantially higher salary. Lastly, CJ professionals should consider an advanced degree in the field, such as the top-ranked MSCJ program at Georgia College & State University. This is one of the most effective ways to increase salary and long-term earning potential in the CJ system.
What Instructor, Adjunct Faculty skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jonathan Varnado: We are seeing a lot of excitement, fear, and uncertainty around the rise and integration of Artificial Intelligence in the workforce. But what will not change, and perhaps will be even more important, are critical thinking and interpersonal communication skills. In the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice, we really try to go beyond just learning the curriculum. We also try to foster empathy and understanding, so that our students are well-equipped to serve the needs of a diverse society.
What will help Instructors, Adjunct Faculty increase their earning potential?
Jonathan Varnado: I think one thing that we tend to forget is that a police officer is rarely just 'a police officer.' They will take on community projects. They will teach classes. They may work with kids as a resource officer. The same goes for any career in criminal justice. So it is important to build other skills that make you more valuable to your agency, and the community at-large. Understanding the broad nature of your career is the first step; then it's important to evaluate your own strengths, and then see how you can apply these in your career.
What general advice would you give to an Instructor, Adjunct Faculty?
Jason Dobrow PhD: Simply put, technology. We are already seeing technological advances in the field ranging from Body Cameras to a lot of the great work going on with Cyber Security. That should only increase in the next 3 to 5 years. Being comfortable with technology and being willing to adapt and learn is crucial to any field in the current time, Criminal Justice being no exception. The increasing use of AI is also interesting and something that all practitioners should familiarize themselves with.
What Instructor, Adjunct Faculty skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Jason Dobrow PhD: The general advice I would give for graduates beginning their careers in the fields of Criminal Justice is to be flexible. Similar to any field, the job market for Criminal Justice is competitive. Certainly, there are opportunities available in many areas in and related to the field but it's not typically realistic to get one's dream job right away. Being flexible allows one to gain some experience as well as gain skills that can ultimately lead to one's desired career in the field.
What will help Instructors, Adjunct Faculty increase their earning potential?
Jason Dobrow PhD: See the first answer. Flexibility is one of the best ways to maximize salary potential in the field. If a job is hard to fill (which many jobs in Criminal Justice are) there might be a signing bonus. Additionally at times, there is overtime pay (holidays, non-peak hours, etc.). Being flexible and taking undesired shifts or even a job that might be hard to fill could result in increased earnings. Additionally, specific skills. Technological skills are important and could help maximize future earnings. Finally, being bilingual. There are jobs that look for people who speak more than one language and at times those who possess these language skills often get paid more.
Gregg Etter
Professor of Criminal Justice & CriminologyUniversity of Central Missouri
Criminal Justice And Corrections
What general advice would you give to an Instructor, Adjunct Faculty?
Gregg Etter: Most criminal justice jobs are civil service. (except lawyers which require law school) My best advice to new applicants is to know what you are doing. Look up the agency’s website and look at what they do and their hiring process. Contact a recruiter and get an information packet. Look at their hiring requirements. Is there a written exam? If so, purchase a study guide. Practicing the sample tests will raise your score 10-15%. Is there a physical agility test? Make sure you can meet or exceed the physical requirements. Be mobile, apply everywhere. If you put all your eggs in one basket and apply to a single agency, you may be very disappointed. Make sure your application is immaculate. Know all the names, addresses, e-mails and telephone numbers of all current and former employers, as well as all references. Criminal justice work is detail work. A sloppy application will get rejected.
What Instructor, Adjunct Faculty skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Gregg Etter: Civil service jobs pay rates are set by the government that you work for. Pay raises are usually based on some type of seniority. However, promotions usually come with a pay raise. Learn new skills and make yourself promotable. The more you learn often works out to the more you earn.
What will help Instructors, Adjunct Faculty increase their earning potential?
Gregg Etter: Skills that are valuable in this field include critical thinking, problem-solving, and puzzle-solving (You have to figure out who did it and be able to prove it.) Computer skills are becoming more and more important. Take every in-service training class on how to do technical things that is offered and your administration will let you go to. People skills have always been important and are becoming more so each day. De-escalation is much better than force. Learn these skills.
What general advice would you give to an Instructor, Adjunct Faculty?
Alexander Velasquez: My general advice to any graduate beginning their career in their field is to continue to learn and be a student of your craft. Be open to learning new things because you never know how they will improve your skills and qualifications. For example, I am currently learning video editing. I never thought I would bother to learn video editing, but it makes me a more versatile instructor being able to give students the option of doing video projects, combining and editing them, and having a digital record of what students have learned in the classroom. And given the rise of online learning, it's important nowadays to be an effective instructor both in the traditional in-person format and within the digital landscape.
What Instructor, Adjunct Faculty skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Alexander Velasquez: I think that in the next three to five years the most important skills to have—and I mean this—will be critical thinking and imagination. This may sound a bit outlandish, and maybe even a bit naive, but hear me out: Artificial intelligence is making strides to the point where papers are writing themselves with simple instructions, videos are generating themselves with simple instructions, and software is beginning to write itself; and all this has been happening within the last few years. We may begin to see that in the next three to five years, once coveted programming jobs could become automated. Now, what I'm *not* saying is don't go to school for computer programming; but what I *am* saying is that the nature of work and employment *is* changing. For example, if you and and AI are making a video, and both of you have the same script, same voiceover, and so on, the only thing separating your final product from the AI's is the way you *think and imagine*, the perspective that you have as someone who can think critically about the information and lay it out in a visually appealing manner. AI can't do that—at least not yet—because it simply spits out the information it's given. But critical thought, metalevel thinking about information, is what will be one of the most important assets to have in the coming three to five years.
What will help Instructors, Adjunct Faculty increase their earning potential?
Alexander Velasquez: I think everyone should look into their career fields and find out what it is that makes you more valuable in that field. Are there any certifications that you can get? What is it that you need to know or learn that companies will find valuable? Much can be learned online, so pick up as many of those skills as you can, and make sure they're on your resume or CV. I believe all those things could maximize salary potential, especially when starting out.
Aurelie Matheron
Assistant Professor of FrenchSkidmore College
Romance Languages, Literatures, And Linguistics
What Instructor, Adjunct Faculty skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Aurelie Matheron: Leadership: you will be in positions of leading a program/department. Learn from current chairs by observing their own skills during meetings and moments of decision. Collaboration: develop interpersonal and interprofessional relationships that will allow you to build collaborative projects (interdepartmental courses, for instance).
Dr. Floyd Beachum
Bennett Professor of Urban School LeadershipLehigh University
Educational Administration And Supervision
What general advice would you give to an Instructor, Adjunct Faculty?
Dr. Floyd Beachum: When starting your career as a new faculty member, you should first try to negotiate as high as
possible when taking your first position (be reasonable of course). This does not mean ask for
the same salary as the dean, but rather look up that institution or comparable institutions and
negotiate towards the high end of what new faculty members make. Also, if a college or
university cannot give you salary (actual dollars), try to negotiate for start-up funds. These are
college/university accounts that spend a lot like real money but they can be used for travel,
hardware, software, student support, etc.
What Instructor, Adjunct Faculty skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?
Dr. Floyd Beachum: This advice would be for a recent graduate of a doctoral program who is interested in pursuing
a career as a faculty member at a college or university. Three quick pieces of advice I would give
include: get organized, get focused, and get moving. Get organized in terms of getting all of
their materials together as they embark upon a new position or as they look for a position. They
will need to have easy access to relevant documents, official paperwork, files, and/or work
products. Organization is the key to a better work flow. Get focused in terms of having the right
mindset to be successful as an academic. This requires that the person work diligently to
develop a research agenda in which they will have to publish articles, books, book chapters, and
present their research at academic conferences. Two major conferences in educational
leadership are the annual meeting of the University Council of Educational Administration
(UCEA) and the American Educational Research Association (AERA). Focus also includes
teaching various courses in educational leadership. It will take a considerable amount of time to
plan, read, coordinate, teach the course, and continuously learn while teaching. Focus also
means getting used to serving on various department, college, and/or university committees.
Service work helps evenly distribute work loads to help accomplish the goals of that college or
university. The last step, is get moving. This means that once the preliminary steps are taken,
then the person should be very purposeful as they go about doing all of the things mentioned
here. There is no time to waste because a person in the role of a new faculty member usually
has about three years before their first big review and six years before they must go up for
tenure and promotion. These decision points are high stakes because if they are productive,
then employment continues, if they are not productive, specific improvement advice can be
given and/or employment can be terminated.
What will help Instructors, Adjunct Faculty increase their earning potential?
Dr. Floyd Beachum: In the next three years, professors of educational leadership should look to develop skills in the
areas of technology, problem-solving, and diversity awareness. Technology, including the
proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) will surely transform the overall career landscape. In
educational leadership, faculty members should develop skillsets that will enhance their
understanding so that the technology can better support their teaching and research
endeavors. The skill of problem-solving is universal. For educational leadership professors, this
skill will better align them with the real-world issues that their students face. Being a better
problem-solver will also help build credibility with their students as well as practicing
administrators who sometimes call on professors for advice or consul. Diversity-awareness is an
important skill because the demographic landscape in the United States will become more
diverse. It is counter-productive to try and ignore, downplay, or refute this fact. School leaders
who recognize and prepare themselves to deal with diverse communities will be much better
off than those who choose not to engage.
Fabio Lanza
ProfessorAshford University
History
What will help Instructors, Adjunct Faculty increase their earning potential?
Fabio Lanza: Difficult to say, given how quickly things change. Digital humanities was and still is fashionable and important. Public history (museum, exhibitions, outreach). And teaching.
Dr. Chris Sharp
Assistant Professor of Criminal JusticeNewberry College
Department of Social and Behavioral Science
What soft skills should all Instructors, Adjunct Faculty possess?
Dr. Chris Sharp: The ability to connect with people where they are. Ask them questions, find out something about them, and then relate something similar to you to show that common bond. Don't be afraid to open yourself up and become vulnerable; none of us are a rock. Once you make the connection, find what motivates them or gains compliance, and use that to get them to do what you need them to do. If you're a leader, that may mean initiating change. If you're a line officer, that may mean talking someone into handcuffs instead of a takedown. As a fugitive recovery officer with over 1,000 arrests in 3.5 years, I can count on one hand the number of physical altercations I had. It starts with establishing mutual respect, even to those that may not have earned it yet. Learn a foreign language. You never know when you will need it, especially in a high tourist area.
What skills will help Instructors, Adjunct Faculty earn the most?
Dr. Chris Sharp: Knowing strategic planning, budgeting, budget execution, and public policy analysis will give you the higher-level skills you need to move up in your career. There are certification programs out there. Find them and get certified. Also, understand human resources; not just managing people but leading people. This will make you a force in your organization.
Mark Fischler
Professor of Criminal Justice, Program CoordinatorPlymouth State University
Criminal Justice Department
What skills stand out on Instructor, Adjunct Faculty resumes?
Mark Fischler: The ability to see the world from an interdisciplinary perspective. The world is complex.
What soft skills should all Instructors, Adjunct Faculty possess?
Mark Fischler: Emotional intelligence is key. Must be able to relate with others and make connections, or you will not be successful.
What skills will help Instructors, Adjunct Faculty earn the most?
Mark Fischler: The ability to speak multiple languages. The world is getting smaller in the sense that we can connect with people all over the world. To have a skillset to speak another language will distinguish you from the rest.
Dr. Charity Clay
Assistant ProfessorXavier University of Louisiana
Department of Sociology
What skills stand out on Instructor, Adjunct Faculty resumes?
Dr. Charity Clay: Sociology instructor positions generally DO NOT take resumes. In our field, we use CVs. Additionally, sociology majors with an undergraduate degree are not eligible to be instructors (that requires at least a master's degree and a Ph.D. for any full-time positions), so sociology majors entering the job market aren't seeking "instructor" positions.
What skills will help Instructors, Adjunct Faculty earn the most?
Bianca Harris: Public speaking, strategic planning, and management skills.
What hard/technical skills are most important for Instructors, Adjunct Faculty?
Bianca Harris: Strategic planning, management, public speaking, Microsoft Suite, and email communication are the most important.
Stephanie Lake
Director of the Criminal Justice ProgramAdelphi University
Sociology and Criminal Justice, College of Arts and Sciences
What skills stand out on Instructor, Adjunct Faculty resumes?
Stephanie Lake: Employers want to know that students have developed critical thinking, research, and writing skills and can demonstrate proficiency with concrete examples. Students should highlight any experiential learning endeavors, including internships, quantitative or qualitative research projects, research assistantships, and other work done in the community that demonstrates problem-solving and communication skills. The ability to successfully navigate and communicate with diverse populations is a big plus. For this reason, the interdisciplinary criminal justice program at Adelphi is firmly grounded in the social sciences - Anthropology, Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, and traditional Criminal Justice. Students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills by exploring criminological theory related to crime, the law, and criminal justice policy and working with diverse cultures and populations.
What soft skills should all Instructors, Adjunct Faculty possess?
Stephanie Lake: Soft skills: see above. Critical thinking, written and oral communication skills. Students must demonstrate the ability to express themselves well in writing and verbally and communicate within a diverse population. Active listening skills are also valued when dealing in stressful or contentious situations where data collection and mediation may be required.
What skills will help Instructors, Adjunct Faculty earn the most?
Stephanie Lake: Depending on the type of job in the field, analytical and writing skills (law); quantitative and statistical skills (criminal justice policy assessment and evaluation); a double major in criminal justice and psychology or master's degree in forensic psychology (intervention and counseling).
Joe Bouchard
LibrarianKeweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College
Student Services - Library and Criminal Justice Instructor
What technical skills for an Instructor, Adjunct Faculty stand out to employers?
Joe Bouchard: Basic computer skills remain a must as agencies go more and more digital. Also, netiquette will be necessary to maintain professionalism. One does not need smile face emojis on official documents. As non-traditional or older applicants enter the field, it behooves agencies to consider the differing learning curves for the multi-generational workforce and incorporate into technology training.
Basic skills such as clear communication (written and spoken) will always be important to employers, no matter the level of technology. Applicants who can comprehend and speak mandatory terms (shall, will, must) and discretionary terms (may, could, should) that occur in policy directives and operating procedures will be valuable to any organization.
How have salaries changed over time for Instructors, Adjunct Faculty?
Joe Bouchard: In my experience, wages have risen steadily. This will need to continue, as the need for new staff increases due to a glut of retirees. Also, this is a stressful field and wages should match the intense pressure.
Dr. Rebecca Tuxhorn
Instructor of SociologySoutheastern Louisiana University
Sociology Department
What will help Instructors, Adjunct Faculty increase their earning potential?
Dr. Rebecca Tuxhorn: I believe demonstrating the ability to be flexible, adaptable, and somewhat tech-savvy will be a real boost when competing for higher earnings. Communication skills are key as well, especially in the absence of face-to-face physical interaction in many workplaces. Be prompt in returning emails and other forms of communication, as that will indicate that you are responsive and paying attention. Overall, practice self-care as well to avoid burnout and a negative attitude. It's definitely a new balancing act to maintain, but networking with others can help. Be sure to 'plug-in' to positive networks and avoid the negative ones that can drain you.
What are the biggest trends we'll see in the Instructor, Adjunct Faculty job market given the pandemic?
Charity Perry Ph.D.: I think one of the most significant trends we will see continue will be the ability to work more remotely. An important issue that should be highlighted though, is the rate that women were forced to leave the job market in light of the pandemic. So much of the progress women have fought for seems to have been lost at a significant rate when compared to men. In the fall of 2020, nearly 900,000 women left the labor force, more than four times the rate of men who left the labor force. Women are still viewed as 'caretakers.' So, the duties to their care for family (i.e., young children at home, aging parents) rose to incredibly high levels, and could potentially set the gender equity back an entire generation due to the loss of supervision during school hours that were provided, and the economic security held by some families prior to the pandemic. This could have long-term consequences which include women re-entering the workforce in lower than desired numbers.
What soft skills should all Instructors, Adjunct Faculty possess?
Charity Perry Ph.D.: The ability to thrive with others, Teamwork! To grow even more, an important skill that graduates should possess upon transitioning out of higher education, is empathy. Empathy is crucial to not only a person individually, but those around. One must be able to develop social behaviors that enrich their lives and the lives of individuals who interact together. Having empathy enables us to consider where another person is coming from (another's perspective), plays a role in the self-regulation of one's own behavior and emotions and being able to identify the emotions of others. Another soft skill that graduates should possess is work ethic. If an individual is not committed to their work, or their work doesn't engage them in any way, there's room for bad habits and laziness to appear. I am constantly reminding my students that I want them to choose a career that they love (not what their parents want them to do). It's so important to love what you do every day. If you love what you do, you never work a day in your life! Certainly, critical thinking and problem-solving skills are fairly crucial in any line of work, and lastly, the ability to communicate with others is paramount. Not just over Zoom, but face to face as well.
What technical skills for an Instructor, Adjunct Faculty stand out to employers?
Cynthia Bott Ph.D.: Skills that are an asset include good communication skills, the ability to exercise cultural humility, a willingness to accept and utilize supervision, an ability to articulate their understanding of social and economic justice and how to implement the ideals in their work. Many will be working in interdisciplinary teams so the ability to get along with others and valuing good teamwork is essential. Those who are familiar and experienced with electronic service delivery may have a step-up over others for work delivered remotely.
What's a good job out of college for Instructors, Adjunct Faculty?
Cynthia Bott Ph.D.: Many BSW social workers find employment with government agencies on the local, county, or government level as caseworkers. In the private non-profit sector there are BSW graduates working with group homes, schools, and a variety of agencies providing services to individuals and families. Other options include nonprofit management, community organizing, research, and policy work. It should be noted that the BSW degree provides flexibility in terms of further education. Many BSW students choose advance study in other areas besides social work including the law, public health, or counseling.