Corrections officers, also referred to as correctional officers, are in charge of managing correctional facilities (prisons, jails, detention facilities, etc.) and their inmates. For students interested in pursuing a career in corrections, earning a corrections degree from an accredited college or university is most direct and sure pathway. Earning a degree in corrections prepares students for a myriad of careers including corrections officer, probation officer, detention officer, parole officer, bailiff and correctional treatment officer, to name just a few.
At minimum a corrections officer must obtain a high school diploma, or the equivalent (GED). For corrections jobs working with federal agencies and institutions a four-year college degree in a relevant field is typically a prerequisite. Career advancement opportunities, higher salary and benefits and job mobility are additional benefits of earning a college degree. While both associate and bachelor degrees are popular choices for those looking to qualify for entry-level positions, earning a master's degree in corrections, or a related field, is the best option for those that want to maximize their career opportunities. Corrections degrees are offered by institutions throughout the United States.
Types of Corrections Programs
As previously mentioned, corrections degrees are offered at the associate's, bachelor's and master's level. The associate degree in corrections is 2-year program and offers students the quickest pathway to becoming a corrections officer. Associate's degrees in corrections prepare students to monitor inmates, assist in the rehabilitation of criminals, work in the criminal justice system, cousel inmates, collect and record information and establish (and enforce) rules of conduct. Some of the courses included in associate degree programs in corrections includes introductions to criminal justice, sociology, psychology and legal studies, among others. Core curriculum typically focuses on correction facilities, criminal psychology, population management and inmate rehabilitation. Associate degrees provide basic subject knowledge that qualifies students for the most entry-level posistions in corrections.
The degree of choice for those seeking to launch a career in corrections is the bachelor's degree. These days, most corrections positions, especially at the federal level, require candidates to possess a bachelor's degree in corrections or a closely related discipline. A bachelor's degree in corrections provides a more indepth study into the discipline than an associate's degree and provides graduates much better understanding of how to work with and management inmate populations. Most bachelor's degree programs in corrections take from three to four years to complete. Graduates with a bachelor's degree will have a much easier time pursuing job opportunities in corrections than associate degree holders.
In addition to the job opportunitied mentioned above, there are numerous career advancement opportunities for corrections officers and criminal justice professionals who have earned a graduate degree. A master's degree is a common prerequisite for supervisory, management and administrative positions within corrections and the justice system at the local, state and federal level. Most master's degree programs take about two years to complete, although there are a few accelerated programs that can be completed in less time. Master's students can look forward to coursework that includes criminal law, justice administration, juvenile justice, court and criminal justice system, advanced criminology, research methods in criminal justice and correctional theories and practices.
Job Outlook for Corrections Officers
Unfortunately, there is no end in site to our growing inmate populations. The good news? Well, the increase in incarceration rates means there's is going to be strong and stable demand for corrections officers for many years to come. In fact, over the next 10 years the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) is predicting a nearly 20% increase in the number job opportunities for correctional officers. The demand will even extend into the private sector, as many corrections agencies that are currently run by the state will begin contracting with private prisons in order the meet the need for correctional services.
Corrections programs are designed to teach students the principles and theories of correctional science and to function as professional corrections officers and other workers in private and/or public incarceration facilities. The colleges, universities and schools below offer majors and accredited degree programs in corrections. To learn more about a specific school click on any of the links below.
Alpena Community College
Phone Number: | (989) 356-9021 |
Website: | www.alpenacc.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Rural fringe community |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 2,604 (2,604 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 17 to 1 |
Alvin Community College
Phone Number: | (281) 756-3500 |
Website: | www.alvincollege.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree 4-year certificate |
Campus setting: | Large suburb |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 6,273 (6,273 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 22 to 1 |
Amarillo College
Phone Number: | (806) 371-5000 |
Website: | www.actx.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Midsize city |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 14,016 (14,016 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 39 to 1 |
Arizona Western College
Phone Number: | (928) 317-6000 |
Website: | www.azwestern.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Finge town |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 11,858 (11,858 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 29 to 1 |
Arkansas State University-Beebe
Phone Number: | (501) 882-3600 |
Website: | www.asub.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Finge town |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 6,640 (6,640 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 25 to 1 |
Austin Community College District
Phone Number: | (512) 223-7000 |
Website: | www.austincc.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Large city |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 64,276 (64,276 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 36 to 1 |
Baker College of Auburn Hills
Phone Number: | (248) 340-0600 |
Website: | www.baker.edu |
School Type: | 4-year private not-for-profit |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Postbaccalaureate certificate |
Campus setting: | Large suburb |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 5,598 (5,581 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 24 to 1 |
Baker College of Cadillac
Phone Number: | (231) 876-3101 |
Website: | www.baker.edu |
School Type: | 4-year private not-for-profit |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Postbaccalaureate certificate |
Campus setting: | Remote town |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 2,740 (2,740 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 14 to 1 |
Baker College of Flint
Phone Number: | (810) 766-4000 |
Website: | www.baker.edu |
School Type: | 4-year private not-for-profit |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Postbaccalaureate certificate |
Campus setting: | Large suburb |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 8,474 (8,464 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 23 to 1 |
Baker College of Jackson
Phone Number: | (517) 789-6123 |
Website: | www.baker.edu |
School Type: | 4-year private not-for-profit |
Awards Offered: | 2-year certificate Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Postbaccalaureate certificate |
Campus setting: | Small suburb |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 2,674 (2,655 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 26 to 1 |
Baker College of Muskegon
Phone Number: | (231) 777-8800 |
Website: | www.Baker.edu |
School Type: | 4-year private not-for-profit |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Postbaccalaureate certificate |
Campus setting: | Small city |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 7,213 (7,195 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 28 to 1 |
Baker College of Port Huron
Phone Number: | (810) 985-7000 |
Website: | www.baker.edu/ |
School Type: | 4-year private not-for-profit |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Postbaccalaureate certificate |
Campus setting: | Small suburb |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 2,445 (2,439 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 20 to 1 |
Bakersfield College
Phone Number: | (661) 395-4011 |
Website: | www.bakersfieldcollege.edu/ |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Large city |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 29,148 (29,148 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 58 to 1 |
Baltimore City Community College
Phone Number: | (410) 462-8300 |
Website: | www.bccc.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Large city |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 10,754 (10,754 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 26 to 1 |
Bay de Noc Community College
Phone Number: | (906) 786-5802 |
Website: | www.baycollege.edu/ |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Remote town |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 2,767 (2,767 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 15 to 1 |
Bay Mills Community College
Phone Number: | 906E13 |
Website: | www.bmcc.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 2-year certificate Associate's degree 4-year certificate |
Campus setting: | Distant rural community |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 759 (759 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 64 to 1 |
Financial Aid: | http://www.bmcc.cuny.edu/finaid/ |
Belmont Technical College
Phone Number: | (740) 695-9500 |
Website: | www.btc.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Rural fringe community |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 3,067 (3,067 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 18 to 1 |
Brevard Community College
Phone Number: | (321) 632-1111 |
Website: | www.brevardcc.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree 4-year certificate |
Campus setting: | Large suburb |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 22,553 (22,553 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 22 to 1 |
Broome Community College
Phone Number: | (607) 778-5000 |
Website: | www.sunybroome.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Midsize suburb |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 8,999 (8,999 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 20 to 1 |
Broward College
Phone Number: | (954) 201-7400 |
Website: | www.broward.edu |
School Type: | 4-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree Bachelor's degree |
Campus setting: | Midsize city |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 51,013 (51,013 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 33 to 1 |
Central Washington University
Phone Number: | (509) 963-1111 |
Website: | www.cwu.edu |
School Type: | 4-year public |
Awards Offered: | Bachelor's degree Postbaccalaureate certificate Master's degree |
Campus setting: | Distant town |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 12,944 (12,073 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 22 to 1 |
College of the Redwoods
Phone Number: | (707) 476-4100 |
Website: | www.redwoods.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree 4-year certificate |
Campus setting: | Remote town |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 9,788 (9,788 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 25 to 1 |
Daytona State College
Phone Number: | (386) 506-3000 |
Website: | www.DaytonaState.edu |
School Type: | 4-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree Bachelor's degree |
Campus setting: | Small city |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 21,654 (21,654 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 22 to 1 |
Eastern Wyoming College
Phone Number: | (307) 532-8200 |
Website: | ewc.wy.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Rural fringe community |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 1,937 (1,937 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 20 to 1 |
Florida State College at Jacksonville
Phone Number: | (904) 359-5433 |
Website: | www.fscj.edu |
School Type: | 4-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree 4-year certificate Bachelor's degree |
Campus setting: | Large city |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 43,218 (43,218 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 39 to 1 |
Garrett College
Phone Number: | (301) 387-3000 |
Website: | www.garrettcollege.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Distant rural community |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 1,040 (1,040 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 16 to 1 |
Hardin-Simmons University
Phone Number: | (325) 670-1000 |
Website: | www.hsutx.edu |
School Type: | 4-year private not-for-profit |
Awards Offered: | Bachelor's degree Postbaccalaureate certificate Master's degree Post-master's certificate Doctor's degree |
Campus setting: | Midsize city |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 2,556 (2,011 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 14 to 1 |
Iowa Wesleyan College
Phone Number: | (319) 385-8021 |
Website: | www.iwc.edu |
School Type: | 4-year private not-for-profit |
Awards Offered: | Bachelor's degree |
Campus setting: | Remote town |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 969 (969 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 8 to 1 |
Joliet Junior College
Phone Number: | (815) 729-9020 |
Website: | www.jjc.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Rural fringe community |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 27,066 (27,066 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 39 to 1 |
Kaplan University
Phone Number: | 3(017) 392-6700 |
Website: | getinfo.kaplancollege.com/KaplanCollegePortal/K… |
School Type: | 4-year private for-profit |
Awards Offered: | 2-year certificate Associate's degree Bachelor's degree |
Campus setting: | Midsize suburb |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 1,279 (1,279 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 21 to 1 |
Labette Community College
Phone Number: | (620) 421-6700 |
Website: | www.labette.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Remote town |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 2,628 (2,628 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 15 to 1 |
Lake Superior State University
Phone Number: | (906) 632-6841 |
Website: | www.lssu.edu |
School Type: | 4-year public |
Awards Offered: | 2-year certificate Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Postbaccalaureate certificate Master's degree |
Campus setting: | Remote town |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 2,960 (2,923 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 17 to 1 |
Midland College
Phone Number: | (432) 685-4500 |
Website: | www.midland.edu |
School Type: | 4-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree Bachelor's degree |
Campus setting: | Midsize city |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 9,674 (9,674 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 28 to 1 |
New Mexico State University-Grants
Phone Number: | (505) 287-7981 |
Website: | grants.nmsu.edu/ |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Remote town |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 2,481 (2,481 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 38 to 1 |
Peninsula College
Phone Number: | (360) 452-9277 |
Website: | www.pencol.edu |
School Type: | 4-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree Bachelor's degree |
Campus setting: | Remote town |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 7,355 (7,355 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 46 to 1 |
Reedley College
Phone Number: | (559) 638-3641 |
Website: | www.reedleycollege.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Distant town |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 20,879 (20,879 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 32 to 1 |
Saint Louis University-Main Campus
Phone Number: | (314) 977-2222 |
Website: | www.imagine.slu.edu |
School Type: | 4-year private not-for-profit |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Bachelor's degree Postbaccalaureate certificate Master's degree Post-master's certificate Doctor's degree |
Campus setting: | Large city |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 18,320 (12,736 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 12 to 1 |
Sierra College
Phone Number: | (916) 624-3333 |
Website: | www.sierracollege.edu |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Large suburb |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 30,014 (30,014 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 34 to 1 |
Texas State University-San Marcos
Phone Number: | (512) 245-2111 |
Website: | www.txstate.edu |
School Type: | 4-year public |
Awards Offered: | Bachelor's degree Postbaccalaureate certificate Master's degree Doctor's degree |
Campus setting: | Distant town |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 33,105 (27,534 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 25 to 1 |
Tyler Junior College
Phone Number: | (903) 510-2200 |
Website: | WWW.TJC.EDU |
School Type: | 2-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree |
Campus setting: | Small city |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 13,771 (13,771 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 23 to 1 |
University of Arkansas at Monticello
Phone Number: | (870) 367-6811 |
Website: | www.uamont.edu |
School Type: | 4-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree 4-year certificate Bachelor's degree Postbaccalaureate certificate Master's degree |
Campus setting: | Remote town |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 4,267 (4,064 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 21 to 1 |
University of Indianapolis
Phone Number: | (317) 788-3368 |
Website: | uindy.edu |
School Type: | 4-year private not-for-profit |
Awards Offered: | Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Master's degree Doctor's degree – professional practice |
Campus setting: | Large city |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 5,545 (4,008 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 13 to 1 |
University of Pittsburgh-Pittsburgh Campus
Phone Number: | (412) 624-4141 |
Website: | www.pitt.edu |
School Type: | 4-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate 4-year certificate Bachelor's degree Postbaccalaureate certificate Master's degree Post-master's certificate Doctor's degree |
Campus setting: | Large city |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 33,373 (21,693 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 8 to 1 |
University of the District of Columbia
Phone Number: | (202) 274-5012 |
Website: | www.udc.edu |
School Type: | 4-year public |
Awards Offered: | Associate's degree Bachelor's degree Master's degree |
Campus setting: | Large city |
Campus housing: | No |
Student Population: | 9,957 (9,544 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 30 to 1 |
Weber State University
Phone Number: | (801) 626-6000 |
Website: | www.weber.edu |
School Type: | 4-year public |
Awards Offered: | 1-year certificate 2-year certificate Associate's degree 4-year certificate Bachelor's degree Postbaccalaureate certificate Master's degree |
Campus setting: | Small city |
Campus housing: | Yes |
Student Population: | 28,129 (27,418 undergraduate) |
Student-to-faculty Ratio: | 33 to 1 |
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