Online Bachelor’s Degrees in Corrections programs vary across distance learning institutions. Different factors affect a school’s curriculum. Some programs allow Corrections majors to choose or customize their specialization.
They can specialize in homeland security, social justice, crime mapping, forensics, and community-based corrections. These will further distinguish graduates as they enter the workforce after completing the degree.
The criminal justice system is a vital aspect of all civilized societies. It is comprised of a set of legal and social institutions for enforcing criminal laws within the bounds of procedural rules and restrictions. In the United States, the criminal justice system is separate from the federal, state, and military.
There are also different systems for adults and juvenile delinquents. As we sift through the entire criminal justice system, we will see that it is further composed of several major subsystems. This includes public instrumentalities and their staff, such as the police and other law enforcement agencies, the courts, parole agencies, custodial institutions, and the Department of Corrections.
Issues such as youth corrections and the policies that govern the system are only a few topics that a bachelor’s in corrections tackles.
Undergraduate students pursuing an online undergraduate degree in Corrections explore the complex and crucial issues that affect criminal justice. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) sees an inevitable decline in job openings for corrections professionals of about 7% between 2022 and 2032.
There is a constant demand for corrections professionals as jailers and bailiffs in the country. To ensure safety and order during trials and in correction facilities, professionals are hired by the government and private sectors. They are an indispensable part of the criminal justice system.
A Bachelor’s in Corrections degree program is a specialized program that prepares students for careers in the field of corrections, which includes the management and supervision of individuals who have been convicted of a crime.
This program provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the criminal justice system, the psychological and sociological aspects of deviant behavior, and the skills necessary to work with individuals in a correctional setting.
These programs also offer a combination of theoretical knowledge and practical skills, equipping graduates with the necessary tools to make a positive impact in the criminal justice system. With the increasing demand for trained professionals in this field, a Bachelor’s in Corrections degree can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding career in a diverse range of settings.
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METHODOLOGY
As an undergraduate degree, Corrections remains a wise choice for a college major as it goes against the crowded field of applicants in passé fields of study. Here, we rounded up the Best Online Schools for Bachelor’s in Corrections highlighting the programs offered online by top-rated colleges and universities across the country.
Our list puts the spotlight on the features of each online Bachelor’s in Corrections degree including program structure, coursework, course concentration and specialty, internships, program duration, and transfer credit programs.
Because online students value accessibility and affordability, we feature the online learning platform and tuition rates as may be disclosed by the academic institution. We also focus on the career opportunities and possible career paths that await graduates of the online Bachelor’s in Corrections programs, among other components, such as:
- 100% Online format availability,
- Financial Aid options; providing Grant and Scholarship opportunities,
- Provides concentration options in the field of Corrections and Criminal Justice, such as Law Enforcement, Emergency Management, Policing, Homeland Security, Terrorism and many others,
- Rewarding career options offering fulfilling and meaningful work promoting neighborhood safety and criminal justice,
- Prepares students for graduate work in Corrections,
- Comprehensive coursework designed to encourage all viewpoints within all aspects of the criminal justice system,
- Properly Regionally Accredited,
- Can also be awarded as a minor degree, if desired.
Would you like to learn more? Please see our Methodology page!
Best Online Schools for Bachelor’s in Corrections
West Texas A&M University
Online B.S./B.A. in Criminal Justice – Corrections
West Texas A&M University is an excellent institution of higher distance education that provides a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Corrections. The general education requirements will vary slightly between the two degree programs, but otherwise, the core coursework and elective options remain the same between the B.S. and B.A.
There are also specializations offered in Administration or Policing. The curriculum is an excellent start for students who are interested in the careers of juvenile probation officers, parole officers, border patrol agents, and corrections case managers.
Graduates who exit WTAMU have a well-developed understanding of the industry and can maneuver within the industry with ease.
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Online Bachelor’s Degree Completion Program in Criminal Justice Studies
The University of Massachusetts Amherst provides its online corrections program through the esteemed University Without Walls virtual campus. This distance education university has been recognized as one of the best on innumerable online school rankings. It provides an extraordinary degree completion program in criminal justice studies that includes avenues, or “course concentrations,” that allow students to focus their degree toward the field of corrections.
The curriculum is well-suited to newcomers to the profession, as well as seasoned experts looking to enhance their careers with an impressive education. The core coursework covers all of the most crucial issues plaguing the corrections and criminal justice systems today, and students develop innovative solutions to such problems through exciting real-world scenarios.
Arizona State University
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminology & Criminal Justice
This BS in Criminology and Criminal Justice includes all of the most crucial practices and policies in the field today. The curriculum consists of a strong focus on law enforcement as it applies to corrections, and students develop finely tuned skills in research, analysis, and communications. For students interested in taking their education even further, Arizona State University offers the 4+1 Accelerated Program for students with a GPA of 3.4 or higher.
This option permits twelve credits to be shared between the bachelor’s and master’s programs, which not only cuts time spent in school but costs as well! Exciting core coursework and elective classes allow online students to concentrate their degree toward the corrections field, in topics such as Introduction to Corrections, Courts, and Sentencing, and Statistical Analysis.
Lee University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
Lee University’s Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice provides students with an overview of crime and punishment in the country. It persists to acquaint students with theories in criminal justice as well as the application of justice. Students are involved in community engagements, by investing in research projects dedicated to analyzing crime rates and frequency and eventually towards crime prevention.
You may choose to specialize in Corrections and Criminology and Juvenile Justice. Through Lee’s online BA in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Corrections, students complete a 120-credit curriculum with a required 15 credits of religious instruction. Graduates of the university’s Criminal Justice programs become ethical corrections professionals.
North Carolina Central University
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
North Carolina Central University’s (NCCU) online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is certified by the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) and is committed to providing students with an in-depth understanding of the criminal justice system.
Additionally, the degree provides an overview of the roles of various agencies, personnel, and the history behind the system that governs the country’s criminal justice.
Students are required to take core courses in criminal justice and will choose from either Law Enforcement, Corrections, Juvenile Justice, or Computer Forensics as a concentration. However, before moving forward with the required coursework in the corrections concentration, students need to successfully comply with the requirements in the core courses in criminal justice.
NCCU ensures that graduates of the program are equipped with real-world experiences before engaging in the challenging world of criminal justice.
Tiffin University
Online Bachelor of Criminal Justice in Corrections
The Bachelor of Criminal Justice in Corrections from Tiffin University stands as the backbone of the American justice system. Students learn to emphasize rehabilitation, safety, and advocacy as they are reiterated in the university’s program. They are reminded to maintain exemplary conduct in every aspect of the profession.
With a curriculum that focuses on the relationship of the field of corrections to the broad, interdependent criminal justice system. Moreover, students are taught always to view offenders as equally damaged, focus on their rehabilitation through community supervision, and engage them in community socialization.
Tiffin University students learn the foundational knowledge of the country’s criminal justice system. At the same time, the curriculum follows a holistic approach to the program and integrates liberal arts courses into the rigid coursework.
New England College
Online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a concentration in Institutional and Community-Based Corrections
If you are aiming to engage in community-based corrections policies and regulations, the New England College (NEC) offers that specialization. NEC’s Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice with a concentration in institutional and community-based corrections is offered entirely online and with flexible start dates.
The specialization puts a premium on both the legal and policy-driven programs initiated to assist locals who are reentering society after serving their time. Students of the program are highly exposed to the methodologies and proven techniques used to aid individuals who are having difficulty transitioning back into society.
They serve as a buffer for those individuals, and gaining a foundational understanding of the current probation and parole systems puts graduates at an advantage. The program follows a seven-week session and can be completed in four years.
The University of Maine at Fort Kent
Online Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration with available specializations in Game Warden, Forensics, Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security/Emergency Management, and Corrections
The University of Maine at Fort Kent (UMFK) offers a Bachelor of Science in Public Safety Administration with available specializations in Game Warden, Forensics, Law Enforcement, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security/Emergency Management, and Corrections.
The concentration in corrections covers the pressing issue of identification and investigation of public safety. Students who choose to concentrate on either corrections or criminal justice can pursue a career as a police officer, corrections officer, customs agent, or border patrol agent.
In addition to a rigorous program, students are required to complete at least one internship before graduation. UMFk partners with various federal agencies, such as the Maine Criminal Justice Academy, and the Maine Emergency Management Agency for internship opportunities. Graduates are well-rounded and prepared for the challenging world of the criminal justice system.
Bemidji State University
Online Undergraduate Completion Program in Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice
For returning students, Bemidji State University (BSU) offers an undergraduate completion program in Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice. The program encourages students to complete their criminal justice degree and pursue a fulfilling career in corrections, victimology, tribal justice, or law enforcement, whichever they choose to specialize in.
As a degree completion program, students take about two years to complete the curriculum. However, student applicants must have completed 24 credits from a previous college or institution. This will allow them to participate in the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC) program, and have them earn a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice.
Adams State University
Online Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with Criminology Emphasis
Adams State University (ASU) has designed a unique bachelor’s in corrections program with a specific sociological approach. ASU’s Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with Criminology Emphasis requires students to take a minimum of 12 credit hours in criminology, the justice system, juvenile delinquency, and the correctional system.
The program has an internship requirement, on top of the 120 total credit hours that are part of its curriculum. Transferable credits, as well as life experiences, are accepted at the university.
Trine University
Online Criminal Justice, B.S.
At Trine University, students in the online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice have five distinctive specialization options from which to choose. The concentrations include Law Enforcement, Forensic/Correctional Psychology, Agency Administration, and Addictions.
Each provides a different and exciting avenue into the field of criminal justice, and the Forensic/Correctional Psychology focus area is perfectly suited for individuals who are pursuing a career in corrections.
Some course topics in this concentration include Institutional Corrections and Correctional Law, Counseling Theories and Practices, and Advanced Forensic Psychology. The core coursework also includes classes in community corrections and criminal procedures.
Trine students develop an excellent understanding of the inmate’s experience and go on to provide outstanding support services to correctional facilities and institutions across the country.
Eastern Kentucky University
Online Bachelor in Corrections and Juvenile Studies
The Bachelor in Corrections and Juvenile Studies is a program devoted to educating students to become experts in adult services and juvenile justice. Under Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) Corrections Department, the fully online curriculum does not require any on-campus requirement. Students can communicate with their professors and peers via online messaging, emails, and discussion boards.
During the eight-week term, online EKU students have the flexibility to pursue the number of credit hours they complete. Focusing on rehabilitation and applying proven practices in criminal justice, EKU Corrections graduates are professionals prepared to rehabilitate adults and juvenile offenders.
UMass Global
Online Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice
The Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from UMass Global emphasizes the scientific study of criminals, and their behaviors, especially in different social settings. Students enrolled in the program explore the psychological profiles behind known criminals.
They can choose to pursue a generalist degree (BA) or opt for a specialization in corrections, leadership, victim advocacy, or homeland security. UMass Global also offers a criminal justice degree as a minor, allowing students to have a broader prospect concerning career opportunities.
Graduates are expected to understand the justice system through different viewpoints and become leaders in policing and forwarding victim advocacy.
Regent University
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – Corrections
Regent University follows an eight-week course session for their Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice – Corrections. It is a fully online curriculum centered on the university’s Christian worldview, which prepares students for the complex issues of juvenile justice, criminal law, criminal procedure, and the fundamental aspects of the criminal justice system.
The program follows an extensive curriculum with an emphasis on ethics, juvenile delinquency, and analyzing the elements of the American legal and justice system. Regent accepts up to 90 transfer credits from a previous college or university.
Southern New Hampshire University
Online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree with a concentration in Corrections
The online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree with a concentration in Corrections from Southern New Hampshire University will elevate graduates’ chances of becoming seasoned professionals in the field.
Aside from Corrections, the university offers six other concentrations, namely, Criminology, Homeland Security & Counterterrorism, Human Services, Legal Studies & Advocacy, and Police Administration & Operations.
Corrections students gain a foundation in the fundamental subjects of criminal justice, including the policies, laws, and regulations that govern the country’s criminal justice. Completion of 120 credit hours is required for students to graduate, as well as a culminating capstone experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Criminal Justice?
Criminal justice is the field of academic study dedicated to the analysis and systematic approach of the criminal justice system, including police, courts, and corrections. It aims to analyze the nature of the web of agencies and departments that man the criminal justice system in the country.
Further, it persists to determine the crime rate and statistics to strengthen crime prevention initiatives further. Also, criminal justice is an ideal foundation for graduate studies, including law, public administration, law enforcement, corrections agencies, probation and parole, and various non-profit service organizations.
How long does it take to earn a Bachelor’s in Corrections degree?
Completion time depends on the curriculum, but it usually takes four years to finish the degree. Depending on the number of hours you are transferring in from another accredited institution, you can shorten graduation by a considerable amount of time.
What is the Bachelor’s degree in Corrections program for?
The Bachelor of Criminal Justice with an emphasis on corrections is designed for students and dedicated learners who are driven to understand the inner workings of criminal offenders.
Furthermore, the degree emphasizes the need to assist criminal offenders who are transitioning back into society after serving their time in a corrections facility.
Graduates are equipped to handle the dynamic and demanding nature of the profession. They become expert corrections professionals who play a crucial role in the largest, and arguably, most critical facet of the criminal justice system.
Is a career in the field of Corrections dangerous?
Working in the field of corrections can be dangerous and unpredictable. Correctional officers and other staff are responsible for managing and supervising individuals who have been convicted of crimes and may have a history of violent behavior. This, combined with the high-stress environment, can lead to potentially dangerous situations.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the rate of nonfatal injuries and illnesses in the corrections industry is higher than the national average for all industries. In addition, the National Institute of Corrections reports that corrections officers have one of the highest rates of non-fatal on-the-job injuries.
Some of the most common risks and dangers in the field of corrections include:
Physical Violence: Inmates may become aggressive or violent towards correctional officers or other staff, leading to injuries or even fatalities.
Assaults: Officers and staff may also face the risk of assault from inmates, either through physical contact or with weapons.
Attacks from Inmates’ Family Members or Associates: In some cases, family members or associates of inmates may try to harm officers or staff in retaliation for their loved one’s incarceration or disciplinary actions.
Infectious Diseases: Correctional facilities are often overcrowded and may not have proper sanitation measures in place, making them breeding grounds for infectious diseases. Officers and staff can be at risk of contracting illnesses such as hepatitis, tuberculosis, and other infectious diseases.
Mental Health Risks: Working in corrections can be mentally taxing, leading to high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. This can have long-term effects on an individual’s mental health and well-being.
In addition to these risks, there is also the potential for workplace accidents, such as slips, trips, and falls, which can result in injuries. The use of force by officers and staff can also lead to injuries or even legal consequences if not handled properly. In order to minimize the risk of danger, many correctional facilities have strict safety protocols and procedures in place.
Officers and staff also receive extensive training on how to handle dangerous situations and may have specialized equipment and tools to help keep them safe. Despite the potential dangers, many people find rewarding careers in the field of corrections.
However, it is important for individuals considering a career in this field to be fully aware of the risks and take the necessary precautions to maintain their safety and well-being.
Additional Resources:
- THE BEST ONLINE SCHOOLS FOR BACHELOR’S IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE
- THE BEST ONLINE SCHOOLS FOR BACHELOR’S IN LAW ENFORCEMENT
- THE BEST ONLINE SCHOOLS FOR BACHELOR’S IN LEGAL STUDIES
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