Corrections is one of the most important components of the American criminal justice system. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, the incarcerated population of the U.S. increased at an average rate of 3.4 percent annually between 1995 and 2005. The U.S. Department of Labor estimates that opportunities for correctional officers and supervisors will grow by approximately 20% through 2012.
A degree in Criminal Justice with a concentration on Corrections is a significant career advantage for those currently in this challenging field or aspiring to enter the profession. Those with Associates, Bachelors and Masters degrees are in great demand for positions in municipal, county, state and federal correctional facilities, as well as in juvenile detention centers and community-based facilities such as halfway-houses and work-release programs.
Typical coursework in Corrections includes the principles and practice of operating a correctional facility; criminal psychology and rehabilitation; population management; staff, visitor and inmate security issues; state and federal legal considerations; and the role of community-based approaches, probation and parole in the correctional system.
