The corrections system refers to managing and rehabilitating criminals in prisons and supervising them. It forms a part of the criminal justice system, which also includes the police and the courts. 

Anyone wanting to pursue a career in this field can consider a corrections degree which covers areas like criminal justice, rehabilitation, law enforcement, ethics, and inmate management. This degree can prepare you for a wide range of careers, both within and outside the correctional system.

Interested in learning more about this topic? Well, continue reading as we explain what the degree is all about and some of the best universities where you earn a degree online in corrections. 

What is Corrections?

Criminal justice systems are divided into three branches: law enforcement, courts, and agencies responsible for monitoring correctional facilities. Correctional officers are part of this system.

Corrections officers work at all levels of government–local, state, and federal–to ensure that criminal justice processes are carried out effectively. These personnel play a vital role in maintaining order and security in places like federal prisons, rehabilitation facilities, and juvenile detention facilities. It is their responsibility to supervise the activities of detainees and criminal patients and ensure their safety and compliance with the rules.

What Do You Study in a Corrections Degree Program?

Corrections degrees are primarily focused on the management and rehabilitation of criminals and suspected individuals in correctional facilities, such as prisons, jails, and even house arrest. A person pursuing this degree may be able to begin or further their career as a correctional officer, probation officer, parole officer, warden, or corrections counselor. 

In the associate degree program at Penn Foster Career School, for example, you will study the following core courses:

• Concepts of Addiction 
• Ethics 
• Psychological Disorders 
• State and Local Politics 
• An Introduction to Criminal Justice
• Introduction to Sociology
• The Juvenile Justice System
• Introduction to Corrections
• Criminal Procedures
• Police Management
• Introduction to Private Security
• Correctional Institutions
• Probation and Parole

After graduation, a bachelor’s degree program, like at Minnesota State University offers some advanced courses and a curriculum to prepare students for higher-level positions. Such as:

• Criminology & Criminal Justice Research Methods
• History of Prisons and Punishment 
• Juvenile Delinquency & Justice
• Community Corrections
• Correctional Counseling 
• Correctional Law
• Cultural Competency in Corrections 
• Advanced Crime Theory & Prevention
• Corrections Field Practicum and Capstone Experience 
• Criminal Justice and Women
• Issues in Criminal Justice
• Community Reentry
• Evidence-Based Practices in Corrections

The course names might differ from university to university but the overall outcome and objectives are the same everywhere. 

Where to Get a Corrections Degree?

A corrections degree is offered in two ways mainly on-campus and online. Each has its pros and cons that you must be aware of:

• On-Campus Degree Program

There are many benefits of pursuing on-campus corrections degree programs you can interact with fellow students and build relationships with teachers, professors, and peers who can help you during the different stages of the degree program. These relationships can lead to internships, job placements, and mentorship, all of which are critical for advancing in a corrections career.

The structured schedule of an on-campus program helps students develop discipline and organization—vital skills for a career as a corrections officer, where attention to detail and time management are key. Additionally, the practical, hands-on components of an on-campus program, such as facility tours, real-world case studies, or role-playing exercises, allow students to gain firsthand experience in environments similar to actual correctional institutions

However, there are some downsides to these programs. On-campus programs offer less flexibility and demand regular presence on campus, making it difficult to balance work or family obligations. For corrections officers working in remote areas or those with demanding shift schedules, attending in person can be highly impractical.

• Online Degree Programs 

Online corrections programs are much more flexible. Students pursuing online corrections programs can continue working while earning their degrees. For corrections officers stationed in remote facilities, online education allows them to continue working while studying. This option is ideal for those seeking career advancement, such as transitioning into higher management roles or specialized areas like correctional psychology or rehabilitation programs.

Just like on-campus programs online programs also have many drawbacks. Some practical components of the degree, such as hands-on training in correctional facilities, may still require onsite visits. This can be challenging for students in remote areas or those who need the direct experience of working with wardens, psychologists, or inmates as part of their training.

Which are the Well-Known Corrections Management Programs Available Online?

Check out the following some of the best corrections degree online programs you can pursue online or on campus:

• California State University-Fresno BS in Criminology

Fresno University’s Bachelor of Science in Criminology-Corrections program provides one of the most affordable corrections officer degrees available.

Fresno State’s criminology-corrections program prepares students to work in institutions as well as in community settings with prisoners. This program comprises 120 credit hours divided between general education requirements, major requirements, and electives. Courses offered as part of a corrections degree include:

• Criminal Psychology
• Criminal law
• Legal Aspects of Corrections
• Institutional Corrections
• Community-Based Corrections

Graduates of this degree program can apply for jobs in the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Parole, Probation, and state law enforcement agencies.

• Degree: BS in criminology-corrections
• Acceptance rate: 58%
• Tuition Fees: $2,760 per semester

• Liberty University Online BS in Criminal Justice – Corrections and Human Services

With Liberty University’s online bachelor’s in criminal justice program, you will become familiar with the inner workings of the criminal justice system. It is a special program in corrections and human services designed for candidates interested in working on the rehabilitation side of criminal justice. 

It is possible to learn about the new theories and programs that have been developed to assist in the reformation of offenders. As a graduate, you will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to make a positive contribution to the criminal justice system upon graduation.

Liberty University offers undergraduate criminal justice degrees that provide you with the foundational knowledge and in-demand skills you need to prepare you for a career within the correctional system. As part of this training, you will learn:

• The current state of law enforcement, courts, and corrections in the United States.
• An evidence-based approach to community corrections.
• New approaches to rehabilitation within corrections to create successful programs outside of traditional prison environments..

• Degree: BS in Criminal Justice – Corrections and Human Services
• Acceptance rate: 99%
• Tuition Fees: $22,511 

• Eastern Kentucky University Online BS in Corrections and Juvenile Studies

Bachelor of Science in Corrections and Juvenile Studies prepares students to work in adult services and juvenile justice. The Corrections Department at Eastern Kentucky University (EKU) offers a fully online curriculum that does not require on-campus attendance. Professors and students can communicate online through online messaging, email, and discussion boards.

Online EKU students have the flexibility to complete as many credits as they wish during the eight-week term. Students who graduate from EKU’s Corrections program are prepared to rehabilitate adults and juveniles based on their education and experience in criminal justice. 

Some major courses of the degree program include Juvenile Justice System Rehabilitation Strategies for Adult and Juvenile Offenders and Offenders in the Community among others. .

• Degree: BS in Corrections and Juvenile Studies
• Acceptance rate: 98%
• Tuition Fees: $443 per credit hour

• Southern New Hampshire University BS in Criminal Justice

SNUH’s Bachelor of Science (BS) in Criminal Justice focused on Corrections is offered online. It provides students with the opportunity to learn about programs and practices that are effective in the rehabilitation of offenders both in correctional facilities and in the community as a whole.

This program focuses on the corrections system, community-based supervision, and factors that contribute to incarceration. Using simulated scenarios, students will face real-world challenges and resolve them with the assistance of instructors.

As an online student at SNHU, you can prepare yourself for a variety of jobs in the corrections, probation, and parole fields. These jobs include prison administrators, prison case managers, prison officers, prison treatment specialists, parole officers, and probation officers.

• Degree: BS in Criminal Justice
• Acceptance rate: 96.4 %
• Tuition Fees: $39,600 

• University of Cincinnati BS in Criminal Justice

The University of Cincinnati has a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree program in Criminal Justice through which students can take an online corrections degree. Students who complete an online degree in corrections from the University of Cincinnati can work as court administrators, parole officers, risk managers, correctional officers, and park rangers.

Some of the topics that are taught in this online corrections degree program include criminology, statistical data on criminal justice, American corrections, policing in America, and an advanced seminar.

• Degree: BS in Criminal Justice
• Acceptance rate: 79.6 %
• Tuition Fees: $24,500

Conclusion 

It may be worthwhile to earn your bachelor’s degree in corrections online if you are seeking a career in the corrections field or looking to expand your career options.

Some of the most reputable criminal justice institutions offer online degree programs, making them an easy and affordable method of earning a degree, especially if you want to balance work and education. With online learning, you have the opportunity to schedule your classes in a way that is most convenient for you.