Program Overview
Graduates can pursue careers as correctional officers, detention officers, parole officers, and probation officers. Advanced degrees expand career opportunities, while good judgment, ethics, emotional stability, and physical fitness are essential for correctional officers. Applicants should be aware of potential background checks and employment restrictions based on criminal records.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
Corrections is one of the components of the criminal justice system. It involves the confinement and rehabilitation of those convicted of offenses against the law, including those suspected of a crime and awaiting trial. Usually it is divided into two systems, adult and juvenile, depending on the age of the offender and sometimes the seriousness of the offense. Corrections encompasses halfway houses, probation programs, prisons, jails and parole programs. Correctional professionals frequently work in a high-stress environment while performing services vital to the criminal justice system.
Careers:
If you specialize in corrections, you may pursue several different careers. Some of your opportunities for employment include the following:
- correctional officer
- detention officer
- parole officer
- probation officer Students who continue their education and earn a bachelor’s or graduate degree generally enjoy a broader choice of career opportunities. These more advanced degrees in criminal justice tend to benefit law enforcement officers in terms of promotions and duty assignments. Most federal agencies (such as the FBI) require both a baccalaureate degree and a number of years of experience or more advanced academic preparation.
Other:
Good judgment and the ability to think and act quickly are indispensable. You must have high ethical standards. You also must be able to pass drug testing and background checks. Emotional stability and the ability to work well under pressure are essential. If you work as a correctional officer, you must be in good physical condition, since most employment requires meeting formal standards of physical fitness, eyesight and hearing. You must be able to work long hours standing or walking, sometimes outdoors, in unpleasant weather or surroundings. While there are no special admissions requirements for the corrections program, you should be aware that most employment in the field will require fingerprinting and a background check. Felony conviction, domestic violence conviction or multiple DUI convictions will very likely prevent your employment in corrections.
