How to Become a Corrections Officer

1) Start by earning an Associate's or Bachelor's Degree (The most commonly held degree by Corrections Officers is a Criminal Justice Degree). Most state corrections departments want their corrections officers to have at least an Associate's Degree. According to the Federal Bureau of Prisons, Federal Correctional Officer positions often require a bachelor's degree for entry level (GS-05) officers. This criteria is sometimes waived for those with at least 3 years full time work experience or for those with a combination of undergraduate education and work experience.

Find Degrees That Will Help You Get Started in a Corrections Officer Career

2) Read more about the corrections officer job requirements below
3) Contact the Department of Corrections for your state and request application materials

Corrections Officer Job Description

Correctional officers work in the prison system, most often in a jail setting. As a corrections officer's career progresses opportunities to work in courthouses, courtrooms and related assignments. Corrections officers maintain the security and safety of the jail, process booking and release of offenders, supervision of inmate work crews, supervision during meals, conduct cell searches, escorting inmates to court, parole hearings, doctors appointments, maintain logs, dispense medications in some states, and related duties. Often, correctional officers will emergency situations where they will need to maintain their calm and rely on their training they have received to respond to the situation. Corrections officers work in close confines with inmates of differing racial backgrounds, some of which may not speak english as a first language and will need to maintain an effective form of communication.

Two important criteria for corrections officers is to be able to function in a team environment along side fellow correctional officers as well as supervisors, other law enforcement agencies, the public, other county or state agencies, social workers and counselors. The second criteria revolves around physical and mental strength. Corrections officer must be able to, after their training, positively respond to verbal abuse, hostile inmates, long hours and related situations.

What You Can Expect to Earn as a Corrections Officer

The job outlook for correctional officers is very good. Increased sentence terms and laws governing parole opportunities have increased the demand for corrections officers in most states. The Bureau of Labor statistics reported that the median annual salary for corrections officers was $35,760 in May of 2006. Federal prisons paid their corrections officers the highest salaries, but require their officers to hold a bachelor's degree. Read about bachelor's degrees in criminal justice and corrections before making your decision. State run facilities had the second highest salaries then local facilities and the lowest pay was found in private prison systems, where not many correctional officers are employed.

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Corrections and Criminal Justice Degrees

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gotKaplan University:

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Bachelor's in - Corrections, Law Enforcement, Homeland Security and more
Certificate - Crime Scene Technician
Certificate - Management and Supervision
AAS in CJ
AAS in Fire Science

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gotKaplan University:

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Master's in CJ - Corrections
MSCJ - Law
MSCJ - Global Issues in Criminal Justice
MSCJ - Policing
MSCJ - Leadership / Executive Management

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starAmerican InterContinental University:

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BSCJ - Law Enforcement
BSCJ - Forensic Science
Associates - Criminal Justice Administration
BSCJ - Special Populations

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Eastern Kentucky University Online:

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Bachelor's in Corrections and Juvenile Justice Studies
Master's in Corrections and Juvenile Justice Studies

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South University Online:

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Bachelor's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice - Cyber Crime
Bachelor's CJ - Juvenile Justice
Bachelor's CJ - Crime Scene Investigation
Bachelor's CJ - Law Enforcement
Master's in Criminal Justice
Master's in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
Master's in CJ - Corrections
Master's in CJ - Cyber Crime

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Upper Iowa University:

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BS in Public Administration - Law Enforcement
BS in Public Administration - Fire Science
BS in Public Administration
BS in Criminal Justice

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Liberty University Online:

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Associate's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

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University of Phoenix Online:

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Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
BS in Criminal Justice

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Lincoln College Online:

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BS in Criminal Justice and The Study of the Criminal Mind

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Bryant & Stratton College : Bryant & Stratton College Online is accredited by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools, one of the six regional accreditation agencies recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation.

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Associate's in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

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Walden University Online: Walden University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and a member of the North Central Association. The Higher Learning Commission is one of six regional accrediting bodies recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

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BS in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Management & Administration
BS in Criminal Justice - Computer Info Syst & Security
BS in Criminal Justice - Crime & Criminals
BS in Criminal Justice - Human Services for CJ
MPA - Homeland Security and Policy Coordination
M.S. in Psychology - Terrorism and Security

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Florida Tech University Online:

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AA in Criminal Justice
BA in Criminal Justice

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Rasmussen College Online:

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Associate's in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security
Associate's in Criminal Justice
AACJ - Corrections
AACJ - Crime Scene Evidence
AACJ - Law Enforcement
Bachelor's in Criminal Justice

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