How to Become a Correctional Officer

 

Overview & Salaries

Recommended Degree:
The right degree for you to become a correctional officer depends on the state you are in and the institution you apply for. All officers are required to go through training academy and then are assigned to on the job training. Some agencies and managerial positions require a bachelors degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, or corrections along with related work experience.

You can launch your career path today by signing up for free information from one of our accredited colleges below that offer programs to help get you started as a correctional officer.

How Much Does a Correctional Officer Make?
$38,970 (national median salary, to see salaries in your state click on the “Best Places to Work” tab up top)

Expected Growth from 2012-2020:
+23,300 additional people employed

(all information above provided by the 2012 BLS Private Detectives page)

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The Best Places to Become a Correctional Officer

According to the median annual wage in the public sector was $54,310 in the federal government, $38,690 in state government, and $38,980 in local government. The bottom 10% earn under$18,980, while the top 10% earn more than $66,400.

The role of corrections professionals is both rewarding and dangerous. These men and women are responsible for safeguarding America’s prisoners at many levels – from the local jail, to the county lockup to the federal prison system.  While many people think of a career in corrections as guards or jailers, there are many available administrative positions to choose from.

Employment and Information Data for Correctional Officer

Why Become a Correctional Officer?

Even while prison populations continue to swell, employment of correctional officers isn’t keeping pace as jobs are expected to grow by 5% from now until 2020, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The role of corrections professionals is both rewarding and dangerous. These men and women are responsible for safeguarding America’s prisoners at many levels – from the local jail, to the county lockup to the federal prison system.  While many people think of a career in corrections as guards or jailers, there are many available administrative positions to choose from.

Recommended Courses to Help You Become a Correctional Officer

  • Introduction to Criminal Justice
  • Courts and Criminal Procedures
  • Fundamentals of Criminal Law
  • Community Resources in Corrections
  • Correctional Systems and Practices
  • Criminal Investigation
  • Police Systems and Practices
  • Criminal Law
  • Correctional Counseling
  • Juvenile Justice System
  • Correctional Law
  • Correctional Career

Degree Options for Correctional Officer Careers

Correctional training requires at least a high school diploma (or equivalent) and many administrative roles require advanced educational training. However, a law enforcement background or military experience sometimes may be substituted for this requirement. In the federal system, entry-level correctional officers must have at least a bachelor’s degree.

In addition, candidates must not have a felony criminal record.

Associate’s Degree
An associate’s degree in criminal justice provides a corrections focus designed to prepare candidates to work in a myriad of roles in jails, county, state and federal prisons; from administrative duties to nursing and IT Networking.

Bachelor’s Degree
A bachelor’s degree in criminal justice will offer a corrections focus designed to prepare candidates to work in a myriad of roles in jails, county, state and federal prisons; from administrative duties to nursing and IT Networking.