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Online Corrections Degrees

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Southern New Hampshire University
Featured Program: Online AS, BS, and MS in Criminal Justice
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Purdue University Global
Featured Program: Associate's, Bachelor's, and Master's in Criminal Justice
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Walden University
Featured Program: Online BS, MS, and PhD Criminal Justice Programs
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Grand Canyon University
Featured Program: Online Criminal Justice Degrees
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Liberty University
Featured Program: Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
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Correctional officers are responsible for maintaining security and order in corrections facilities. They oversee inmates, keeping track of inmates, preventing or dealing with inmate disturbances, fights and escapes. With an online degree in corrections, you’ll learn how to effectively keep order and maintain a safe, secure facility.

online corrections degrees

Online Corrections Degrees

A high school diploma or equivalent is the minimum requirement to become a correctional officer, but many state and local agencies will require college credits, or law enforcement or military experience. For those working at the federal level, a bachelor’s degree is required, in addition to full time experience in counseling, assistance or supervision.

An online corrections degree program will provide you with the skills and knowledge you’ll need to become an effective correctional officer, with courses in safety and security, law, and management. You’ll also be instructed in responding to emergencies, maintaining order, and developing discipline.

Working as a Correctional Officer

A career as a correctional officer will give you the opportunity to work directly with inmates as they are rehabilitated. Both challenging and rewarding, this career field is specifically designed for individuals with a passion for our criminal justice system.

Though there is still a strong need for correctional officers, a downward trend in crime and a move toward shorter sentences means that state governments may not need as many correctional officers as they have in the past. However, job prospects in the private sector are growing, as many public authorities develop private contracts for prison services. Between 2019 and 2029, this profession will see about 33,000 annual job openings due to a blend of new job growth, retirements, and natural job turnover.

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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), correctional officers earned an average salary of $52,340 as of May 2020. While early career professionals in this field earn about $37,950 (representing earners in the 25thpercentile), the most seasoned pros earn closer to $81,940 (representing earners in the 90th percentile).

Nearly all correctional officers work for federal state, or local governments, typically within correctional facilities. In fact, of the 406,000 correctional officers jobs in the U.S. as of May 2020, about 365,000 were in state or local governmental agencies. However, a growing number of correctional officers also work for private companies that are contracted to provide correctional services.

An associate’s or bachelor’s degree in an area related to criminal justice may also lead you to careers in:

  • Court advocacy
  • Law enforcement
  • Juvenile justice
  • Homeland Security
  • Family services

May 2020 Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and job market trends for correctional officers and jailers. Figures represent national data, not school specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed June 2021.

National job growth projections for correctional officers and jailers sourced from the U.S. Department of Labor-sponsored O*Net database (2019-2029).

Online Corrections Degree Curriculum

Corrections programs will teach you how to maintain order in theory and practice. Your corrections degree curriculum may include some or all of the following coursework:

  • Basic Criminal Justice: In this introductory course, students are introduced to the administrative guidelines, policies and procedures of the criminal justice system.
  • Corrections Systems: This class teaches the basic responsibilities and duties of a correctional officer. Sessions may be tailored to a particular security level, such as state prisons, and may also address practices limited to a specific state.
  • Ethics in Criminal Justice: Here, students delve into the ethical dilemmas faced by correctional officers in the workplace. Topics may include the proper application of authority and issues arising from misconduct.
  • Research Methods: A standard course in many degree programs, in the context of corrections it includes social science research within the criminal justice realm. Basic research principles, such as proper sampling, are studied.
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When corrections is taught as a sub-specialty within a criminal justice major, specialty classes often cover the history of corrections, legal issues in corrections and corrections techniques.

Start Your Career as a Corrections Officer

Your career as a corrections officer starts today. Explore accredited online corrections degrees from leading colleges and universities to find the right program for you.

Full Online Program Listings

We found 32 schools in our directory that offer matching programs online.

Iola, Kansas
Allen County Community College
Certificate in Corrections
Schaumburg, Illinois
American InterContinental University
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Corrections and Case Management
Charles Town, West Virginia
American Public University System
Undergraduate Certificate in Corrections Management
San Angelo, Texas
Angelo State University
Certificate in Criminal Justice - Correctional Systems Studies
Ashland, Kentucky
Ashland Community and Technical College
Associate of Applied Science in Corrections
Paramus, New Jersey
Bergen Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Correctional Studies
Pendleton, Oregon
Blue Mountain Community College
Certificate in Criminal Justice - Corrections
Irvine, California
Brandman University
Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice - Corrections
Auburn, New York
Cayuga County Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice - Corrections
Killeen, Texas
Central Texas College
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice - Corrections
Malvern, Arkansas
College of the Ouachitas
Certificate in Proficiency Criminal Correction Specialist
Certificate in Criminal Correction Specialist
Columbus, Ohio
Columbus State Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice Technology - Corrections
New Bern, North Carolina
Craven Community College
Certificate in Criminal Justice Technology - Correctional
Louisville, Kentucky
Daymar College
Associate in Criminal Justice - Corrections
Richmond, Kentucky
Eastern Kentucky University
Master of Science in Adult, Juvenile & Community Corrections Leadership
Bachelor of Science in Corrections
Certificate in Correctional intervention Strategies
Certificate in Corrections Leadership
Elizabethtown, Kentucky
Elizabethtown Community and Technical College
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice - Corrections
Appleton, Wisconsin
Fox Valley Technical College
Certificate in Corrections
Elko, Nevada
Great Basin College
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice - Corrections
Jamestown, North Carolina
Guilford Technical Community College
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice Technology - Corrections
Lynchburg, Virginia
Liberty University
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Youth Corrections
Rochester, New York
Monroe Community College
Associate of Science in Criminal Justice - Institutional Corrections
Norfolk, Nebraska
Northeast Community College
Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice - Corrections
Parkville, Missouri
Park University
Associate of Science in Criminal Justice Administration - Corrections
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration - Corrections
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Peirce College
Associate in Correctional System
Tempe, Arizona
Rio Salado College
Associate of Applied Science in Corrections
Saint Leo, Florida
Saint Leo University
Masters of Science in Criminal Justice - Corrections
Somerset, Kentucky
Somerset Community College
Certificate in Corrections
Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice - Corrections
Queens, New York
St. John's University
Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Correctional Counseling
Albemarle, North Carolina
Stanly Community College
Certificate in Criminal Justice Technology - Corrections
Tiffin, Ohio
Tiffin University
Bachelor of Criminal Justice in Corrections
Great Falls, Montana
University of Great Falls
Major in Criminal Justice - Corrections
Lemoore, California
West Hills College
Associate of Arts in Administrator of Justice - Correctional Science
Associate of Science in Administrator of Justice - Correctional Science
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