Corrections
Program Summary
A program that prepares individuals to study the theories and principles, of correctional science and to function as professional corrections officers and other workers in public and/or private incarceration facilities.
Discover More About a Degree in Corrections

What is Corrections?
Corrections is the area of study and reemployment that is responsible for the management, care and safety of prisoners. Individuals in this field will work alongside others in order to ensure the security of the prison and the safety of its prisoners in order to maintain peace and provide an atmosphere of rehabilitation. Individuals in the field may also be responsible for activities or take on roles outside of prison atmosphere, including assisting parolees or the recently released to ease back into societal roles through community based programs.
Educational Requirements
Depending on the type of prison one is being employed at and the state one is employed in, the educational requirements will vary. Some prisons require only a high school level education, providing the training necessary to be completed on the job. Others may require a specific number of courses be fulfilled, the need for which may be substituted through experience in other law enforcement fields. Federal prisons require at minimum a bachelor's degree or three years of experience working as a counselor or similar job experience, or some combination of both. Degrees are available in the form of a corrections program, though a criminal justice or law enforcement program maybe sufficient.
A curriculum in corrections may include:
- Criminal Law
- Defense and Safety
- Investigation
- Procedure and Law
- Crime Prevention Methodologies
Employment Opportunities
Individuals seeking employment in this field will either be employed by local, state or federal governments, or by private companies that provide security for prisons through contract. Individuals in this field are responsible for maintaining the peace of a given prison, making sure inmates abide by rules, regularly searching cells for contraband, and finding ways to avoid conflict. If necessary, corrections officers will mediate disputes through force, possibly detaining or restraining prisoners in an attempt to control a given situation. Individuals working in outside of prison, possibly in community programs or as a parole officer, are responsible for ensuring released prisoners are following the rules and maintaining a crime free lifestyle.
Job Growth, Salary and Related Fields
Job growth is expected to be slow in this field due to the recent trend of reduced crime throughout the country. Any growth experienced will most likely be due to increases in population, but funding issues and programs aimed at rehabilitation without prison sentences are expected to increase, resulting in less use of already overcrowded prisons. High turnover in the field, particularly among local prisons, makes finding employment relatively easy. The average salary for a correction officer is approximately $39,000 annually, with increases in pay coming from experience, education and which body is employing the officer.
Individuals interested in corrections may also be interested in criminal justice, criminology, or social work.
Top Schools That Offer a Corrections Degree or Program
4-Year Colleges and Universities
| Baker College of Flint | |
- Flint, MI
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| Broward College | |
- Fort Lauderdale, FL
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| Central Washington University | |
- Ellensburg, WA
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| Chipola College | |
- Marianna, FL
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| Coker College | |
- Hartsville, SC
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| College of Central Florida | |
- Ocala, FL
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| College of the Ozarks | |
- Point Lookout, MO
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| Davenport University | |
- Grand Rapids, MI
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| Daytona State College | |
- Daytona Beach, FL
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| Eastern Kentucky University | |
- Richmond, KY
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| Florida State College at Jacksonville | |
- Jacksonville, FL
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| Glenville State College | |
- Glenville, WV
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| Great Basin College | |
- Elko, NV
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| Gulf Coast Community College | |
- Panama City, FL
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| Indian River State College | |
- Fort Pierce, FL
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| Iowa Wesleyan College | |
- Mount Pleasant, IA
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| Kaplan University | |
- Davenport, IA
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| Lake Superior State University | |
- Sault Ste Marie, MI
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| Langston University | |
- Langston, OK
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| Miami Dade College | |
- Miami, FL
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| Minnesota State University - Mankato | |
- Mankato, MN
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| Mount Aloysius College | |
- Cresson, PA
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| Northwest Florida State College | |
- Niceville, FL
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| Oklahoma City University | |
- Oklahoma City, OK
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| Palm Beach State College | |
- Lake Worth, FL
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| Peninsula College | |
- Port Angeles, WA
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| Polk State College | |
- Winter Haven, FL
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| Saint Louis University | |
- Saint Louis, MO
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| Saint Mary's University of Minnesota | |
- Winona, MN
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| Santa Fe Community College | |
- Gainesville, FL
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| Seminole State College of Florida | |
- Sanford, FL
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| Siena Heights University | |
- Adrian, MI
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| Southeast Missouri State University | |
- Cape Girardeau, MO
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| St Petersburg College | |
- Largo, FL
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| St. Johns River State College | |
- Palatka, FL
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| Stephen F Austin State University | |
- Nacogdoches, TX
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| Texas State University - San Marcos | |
- San Marcos, TX
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| The University of Texas at Brownsville and Texas Southmost College | |
- Brownsville, TX
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| Tiffin University | |
- Tiffin, OH
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| University of Akron | |
- Akron, OH
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| University of Arkansas at Monticello | |
- Monticello, AR
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| University of Indianapolis | |
- Indianapolis, IN
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| University of Iowa | |
- Iowa City, IA
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| University of New Mexico | |
- Albuquerque, NM
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| University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Campus | |
- Pittsburgh, PA
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| University of the District of Columbia | |
- Washington, DC
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| University of Toledo | |
- Toledo, OH
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| Valencia College | |
- Orlando, FL
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| Vincennes University | |
- Vincennes, IN
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| Washburn University | |
- Topeka, KS
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| Weber State University | |
- Ogden, UT
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| Winona State University | |
- Winona, MN
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| Xavier University | |
- Cincinnati, OH
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Community Colleges
| Alpena Community College | |
- Alpena, MI
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| Austin Community College District | |
- Austin, TX
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| Brevard Community College | |
- Cocoa, FL
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| Cabrillo College | |
- Aptos, CA
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| Cayuga County Community College | |
- Auburn, NY
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| Chaffey College | |
- Rancho Cucamonga, CA
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| Contra Costa College | |
- San Pablo, CA
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| Delta College | |
- University Center, MI
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| Diablo Valley College | |
- Pleasant Hill, CA
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| East Los Angeles College | |
- Monterey Park, CA
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| Grand Rapids Community College | |
- Grand Rapids, MI
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| Grossmont College | |
- El Cajon, CA
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| Henry Ford Community College | |
- Dearborn, MI
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| Hillsborough Community College | |
- Tampa, FL
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| Hocking College | |
- Nelsonville, OH
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| Jackson Community College | |
- Jackson, MI
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| Joliet Junior College | |
- Joliet, IL
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| Kellogg Community College | |
- Battle Creek, MI
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| Lamar State College - Orange | |
- Orange, TX
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| Lansing Community College | |
- Lansing, MI
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| Lassen Community College | |
- Susanville, CA
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| Metropolitan Community College - Blue River | |
- Independence, MO
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| Moraine Park Technical College | |
- Fond du Lac, WI
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| New Mexico Junior College | |
- Hobbs, NM
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| North Central State College | |
- Mansfield, OH
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| North Florida Community College | |
- Madison, FL
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| Northeast Wisconsin Technical College | |
- Green Bay, WI
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| Pasco - Hernando Community College | |
- New Port Richey, FL
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| Pennsylvania Highlands Community College | |
- Johnstown, PA
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| Rio Salado College | |
- Tempe, AZ
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| Riverland Community College | |
- Austin, MN
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| Sacramento City College | |
- Sacramento, CA
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| Saint Louis Community College - Forest Park | |
- Saint Louis, MO
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| San Joaquin Delta College | |
- Stockton, CA
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| Santa Rosa Junior College | |
- Santa Rosa, CA
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| Sierra College | |
- Rocklin, CA
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| Solano Community College | |
- Fairfield, CA
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| South Florida State College | |
- Avon Park, FL
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| Southern State Community College | |
- Hillsboro, OH
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| Southwestern College | |
- Chula Vista, CA
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| Tallahassee Community College | |
- Tallahassee, FL
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| Tyler Junior College | |
- Tyler, TX
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| Wayne County Community College District | |
- Detroit, MI
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| Wenatchee Valley College | |
- Wenatchee, WA
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| Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College | |
- Shell Lake, WI
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| Wytheville Community College | |
- Wytheville, VA
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Technical Colleges
| Fort Myers Institute of Technology | |
- Fort Myers, FL
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| Lake Technical Center | |
- Eustis, FL
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| Washington - Holmes Technical Center | |
- Chipley, FL
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| Withlacoochee Technical Institute | |
- Inverness, FL
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Career Colleges
| George Stone Career Center | |
- Pensacola, FL
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| San Joaquin Valley College - Rancho Cordova | |
- Rancho Cordova, CA
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| Sumner College | |
- Portland, OR
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