If you’re interested in pursuing a career that helps uphold the criminal justice system, getting a corrections degree could be a strategic first step.
Bachelor’s degrees in corrections can be obtained online at some accredited schools, which could allow for schedule flexibility. Graduates from these programs often pursue jobs as correctional officers or probation officers.
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With further training, education, or experience, some go on to become police officers, private detectives, social workers, or first-line supervisors of law enforcement or correctional officers.
Online Bachelors in Corrections Degrees
Online bachelors degrees in corrections typically cover all the elements needed to pursue a career as a correctional officer. This can include courses in law, counseling, prison systems, the juvenile justice system, and more.
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You may also get the chance to work on soft skills that are essential for correctional officers and similar roles. Some classes help teach students to improve their communication, empathy, critical thinking, discernment, and more.
Here are some core topics that are commonly studied at colleges for correctional officers:
- Helping inmates re-enter society
- Correctional law
- Probation
- Parole
- Substance abuse intervention
- Juvenile justice
- Criminal law
- Community-based corrections
- Correctional administration
- Counseling inmates
- Sociological factors that impact crime
- Prison regulations
In addition to classes covering these topics, you may also have the chance to participate in a capstone project, internship, or other means of applying your knowledge in a practical setting. Graduates with a bachelors in corrections often pursue careers as correctional officers, bailiffs, security guards, probation officers, and police officers.
With further education, experience, or training, corrections professionals may work toward jobs like forensic science technician, detective, and first-line supervisor of correctional officers. Some graduates choose to pursue roles, such as social worker, that help people acclimate to society.
Corrections Careers and Salaries
It’s common for graduates with a correctional officer degree to pursue jobs as correctional officers and bailiffs. These professionals help enforce rules in jails and prisons, supervise prisoners, transport prisoners, and escort them in and out of the courtroom. Another popular role for graduates is that of a parole or probation officer.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, below are the median salaries of some careers aligned with corrections. Some of the roles listed may require additional education, training, or experience.
| Careers | Annual Median Salaries |
| First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | $96,290 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | $86,280 |
| Social and Community Service Managers | $74,240 |
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | $65,790 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers | $63,310 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | $59,860 |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | $49,610 |
| Bailiffs | $49,100 |
| Social and Human Service Assistants | $38,520 |
| Security Guards | $34,750 |
With further education or specialized training, graduates may go on to pursue careers as police and detectives, private detectives and investigators, or forensic science technicians.
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Professionals in the field may also work as social workers or social and community service managers, where they can use their corrections background and education to help inmates reacclimate to society.
Correction Bachelor’s Curriculum & Courses
The curriculum in online bachelors programs in corrections can vary, but here are a few classes you may encounter:
- Community-Based Corrections: You’ll learn about different ways that community-based corrections can work, including early-release mechanisms and day reporting centers.
- Institutional Correction: This class covers the various types of American correctional establishments, including their history and operations.
- Introduction to Corrections: You’ll learn about the different elements of the American correctional system, including probation and the prison experience.
- Introduction to Forensic Investigations: This course dives into the field of forensic science, with an emphasis on its history and the role it currently plays today.
- Criminal Law: You’ll learn about criminal law, the Model Penal Code, and defenses to criminal liability.
- Juvenile Justice: This class covers the juvenile justice system in America, teaching students about topics like diversion programs, courts, and parole.
- Systemic Issues in Criminal Justice: You’ll learn about how bias and discrimination can affect the criminal justice system, along with potential solutions.
- Physical Security: This course teaches you different techniques to ensure security, including design, technology, and planning.
- Criminal Profiling: You’ll learn about various ways to predict criminal behavior based on previous examples.
- Correctional Treatment Strategies: This class delves into rehabilitation strategies for criminals, including community facilities.
In addition to classes like these, you may get the opportunity to participate in an internship or capstone project.
Admissions Requirements
While the admissions requirements for online bachelor’s degrees in corrections vary from school to school, here are a few you’ll typically see:
- High school diploma or GED equivalent
- SAT or ACT scores (only some schools require them)
- High school transcripts
- Personal statement
Some colleges want to see a minimum GPA requirement, which they can view on your high school transcripts. Some universities also accept college credits from an associate’s program or advanced placement classes from high school.
You can discover the specific admissions requirements for your schools of choice by visiting their websites or talking to an admissions representative.
Accreditation
When choosing a school for your criminal justice corrections degree online, it’s beneficial to make sure the college is regionally accredited. When a school has this status, it means the institution has met a series of academic quality standards.
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If you’re interested in applying for federal financial aid, one of the eligibility requirements is to attend an accredited school. Many employers also have more trust in the education that’s offered by accredited schools, so this status might help your resume stand out when looking for jobs down the line.
To learn more, you can visit the US Department of Education’s website.
Financial Aid and Scholarships
For qualifying students, financial aid may come from the federal government, state government, or school you’re attending.
Undergraduate students may be able to apply for direct subsidized loans. The US Department of Education pays the interest on these types of loans, as long as a series of qualifications are met. Your school determines how much you may be able to borrow. You can explore the various options you might apply for at the Federal Student Aid website.
If you are interested in working while in school, you may be able to apply for a work-study program. Students in these programs earn at least the current federal minimum wage. Some employers also provide tuition benefits to workers who are getting their college education.
In addition to these options, you can also explore scholarship opportunities that could be offered by your school, public organizations, and private institutions.
Corrections Professional Organizations
Even while you’re still in school, it could be a strategic move to join a professional organization. Here are a few in the corrections field you may want to investigate:
- American Correctional Association (ACA)
- American Jail Association (AJA)
- Correctional Leaders Association (CLA)
A professional organization can help you meet people in the industry, which might lead to informational interviews or connections that can help open up job prospects. You may also get the chance to attend conferences and seminars in your field.
What Is a Corrections Degree?
A corrections degree is a bachelors program that focuses on criminal justice as it relates to correctional facilities, including jails and prisons. Students in these programs typically learn how to enforce regulations in these establishments and maintain safe operations.
You may study topics like juvenile justice, probation, and criminal law. These degrees can help prepare students to pursue careers in the criminal justice system. Many graduates become correctional officers and probation officers. Others pursue training as a police officer or detective.
What Can You Do with a Degree in Corrections?
Graduates with a bachelor’s degree in corrections often pursue roles as probation officers and correctional treatment specialists. Others pursue related roles, such as correctional officers and bailiffs. It’s also common for corrections graduates to pursue training in law enforcement. They may work as police officers, security guards, or private investigators.
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With further education, training, and experience, professionals in the field may work as detectives or first-line supervisors of correctional officers. Corrections professionals may also hold jobs as social and community service managers, where they can help with inmate rehabilitation.
How Much Money Can You Make with a Bachelor’s in Corrections Degree?
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists is $59,860. The top 10% of these professionals make more than $101,080 each year.
Correctional officers and jailers have a median salary of $49,610, and bailiffs have a similar median wage of $49,100. With experience, professionals may become first-line supervisors of correctional officers. The median salary for this position is $63,310.
Some corrections graduates go into law enforcement. The median wage for police and sheriff’s patrol officers is $65,790.
How Long Does It Take to Get an Online Corrections Degree?
The timeframe for completing an online corrections bachelors degree depends on your enrollment status and your school’s academic calendar.
If you enroll in a typical 16 week semester and attend classes full-time, it will generally take 4 years to graduate with a bachelor’s degree. If you enroll in an 8 week semester, you may be able to complete your program in less time. Enrolling year-round, including during the summer, may also help you finish in less time.
What’s the Difference Between a Correctional Officer vs. Police Officer?
While there is some overlap between the job duties of correctional and police officers, here are a few ways these two jobs differ.
| Correctional Officer | Police Officer |
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Typically, correctional officers are based out of prisons or jails to maintain security and uphold rules. Police officers oversee maintaining the safety and security of the citizens in their community.
Is a Corrections Degree Worth It?
Yes, a corrections degree is worth it for many students. Correctional officers, correctional treatment specialists, and probation officers help to maintain the safety of communities while helping inmates rehabilitate and re-enter society.
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According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2% job growth is projected for protective service roles over the next ten years. Around 421,500 job openings are expected each year due to growth and replacement needs. Community and social service occupations are expected to see 10% job growth over the same period, which is faster than average.
Universities Offering Online Bachelor in Corrections Degree Programs
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format.
American Intercontinental University offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Students who are passionate about advocacy and community support may find an ideal fit in the Corrections and Case Management concentration. The program requires the completion of 180 credits. Common courses include Addiction Intervention, Offender Rehabilitation, and Case Management and Treatment Planning.
American Intercontinental University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Bemidji State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Available emphases include Corrections, Police Science, Tribal Justice, and Victimology. Students must complete at least 48 major-specific credit hours to graduate. Graduates often pursue careers as corrections agents, probation officers, law enforcement, attorneys, or special agents.
Bemidji State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Colorado Christian University offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The curriculum covers topics like criminology, corrections, forensic science, criminal justice, research methods, statistics, cross-cultural conflict, and ethics. The program requires the completion of 120 credit hours. Classes meet 100% online and are typically 5 weeks long.
Colorado Christian University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
East Coast Polytechnic Institute University offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Potential courses include Critical Incident Management, Cybercrime Investigation, Ethics in Criminal Justice, and Criminal Law. This program is housed entirely online. Many graduates obtain entry level roles in corrections, law enforcement, border protection, fraud investigation, or security.
ECPI University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Eastern Kentucky University offers a Bachelor of Science in Corrections and Juvenile Justice. This program is designed to prepare students for diverse roles in judicial, corrections, and social work fields. Up to 90 qualifying credits from outside institutions may be transferred in toward the program’s 120 required credits. Classes meet online and are 8 weeks long.
Eastern Kentucky University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Fort Hays State University offers a fully online Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice program. Depending on professional goals, the program can be completed for a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts. Available concentrations include Law Enforcement, Corrections, and Law and the Courts. The curriculum covers concepts like crime mapping, analysis, social justice and ethics, policing, and criminology.
Fort Hays State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Lee University offers a Bachelor’s in Criminal Justice. The program can be customized with Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science tracks and emphases in Corrections or Juvenile Justice and Criminology. Completion of at least 120 credit hours is required to graduate. Coursework may be completed entirely online.
Lee University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Liberty University offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The Corrections and Human Services concentration may be an excellent next step for students interested in working in law enforcement, social services, prison institutions, or law. Classes meet online and are 8 weeks long. On average, the program’s 120 required credits can be completed in 3.5 years.
Liberty University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
New England College offers a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. The program aims to provide students with an understanding of evolving laws, technological innovation, and social factors impacting their field. Classes are housed online and typically completed in accelerated, 7 week sessions. Graduates often pursue careers as police officers, correctional officers, investigators, or border protection agents.
NEC is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
North Carolina Central University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with concentrations in Law Enforcement, Corrections, Juvenile Justice, and Homeland Security. The program admits incoming students twice a year in fall and spring terms. Its 120 required credits can typically be completed in 4 years of full-time study.
North Carolina Central University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Park University offers a Bachelor of Sciences in Criminal Justice Administration. The Corrections concentration is designed for students who are interested in supporting rehabilitation and reform in prison systems. Upon completion of general baccalaureate requirements, students must complete 45 major-specific credits. Classes may be attended online or at one of several campus locations.
Park University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Regent University offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice with a specialization in Corrections. Common courses include Juvenile Justice, Criminal Law, Comparative Criminal Justice Systems, and Criminal Procedure. The program requires the completion of at least 120 credit hours. Classes are attended through a blend of online and in-person attendance.
Regent University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Southern New Hampshire University offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The curriculum covers topics like criminological theory, ethical decision making, global trends, and effective communication. The program is housed online and provides around-the-clock course access. Up to 75% of the program’s 120 required credits may be transferred in from outside institutions.
SNHU is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
St. Cloud State University offers a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice. The degree may be tailored to professional interests with a concentration in a subject like corrections and reentry, public and private safety, or victim services. Classes meet primarily online. Many graduates pursue careers in corrections, advocacy, government agencies, law, security, or law enforcement.
St. Cloud State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Tiffin University offers a Bachelor of Criminal Justice in Corrections. Potential courses include Crisis Intervention Strategies, Case Management, Constitutional Rights of Prisoners, and Psychology of Violence and Aggression. This is an on-campus program, but some courses may be able to be completed online. The program requires the completion of at least 121 credit hours to graduate.
Tiffin University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Akron offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminology and Criminal Justice. This program seeks to graduate students with the technical and tactical competencies needed to thrive in their field. On average, the required coursework can be completed in 4 years when studying full-time. All classes meet online.
UA is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Minnesota offers an online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. Common classes include Criminal Justice Diversity, Judicial Process, Criminal Justice Ethics, Juvenile Justice and Delinquency, and Introduction to Policing. The program requires the completion of 120 credits. Incoming students are admitted three times each year in spring, summer, and fall terms.
The University of Minnesota is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Wisconsin – Platteville offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. This program is intended as a steppingstone toward a Master of Science in this or related disciplines. The curriculum is housed 100% online. Available concentrations include Criminal Justice Management, Criminal Justice Theory, and Victim Offender Services.
UW-Platteville is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Walden University offers a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The Corrections and Human Services specialization may be an ideal fit for students pursuing roles in social services, corrections, or probation. The program spans 181 quarter credits of general, core, concentration, elective, and capstone courses. It can typically be completed in 48 months of full-time attendance.
Walden University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
West Texas A&M University offers several bachelor’s degrees in criminal justice. Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science in the field and pursue a concentration in Administration, Corrections, or Policing. Classes can be attended online or on-campus in Amarillo. Completion of at least 120 credit hours is required to graduate.
West Texas A&M University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
Getting Your Bachelor’s Degree in Corrections Online
If you’re interested in a career in the criminal justice system, you might consider getting your bachelor’s degree in corrections online. This type of program could serve as the first step toward pursuit of a career as a correctional officer, probation officer, and more.
In a corrections program, you’d have the opportunity to learn about topics like the juvenile justice system, criminal profiling, and systemic issues in the criminal justice system. With this degree, you could start working directly in the field or choose to pursue further education or specialized training.
To get started on your journey toward a corrections degree, you could explore available programs from accredited colleges and universities today.
