Corrections Specialist

This program offers learners the basic competencies involved in a position in a corrections facility and provides greater insight for counselors, attorneys and other legal aides into broader theories related to the US corrections system. In fact, many legal assistants, law enforcement professionals, court and corrections officials have acquired a background understanding in Correction, Rehabilitation, Parole and basic Policing in order to better inform their positions and every day actions on the job. An increasingly complex field with the growing privatization of correctional facilities and multifaceted discussions on federal sentencing mandates, addiction and other socio-economic issues, a career in Corrections is not only challenging but can be immensely rewarding as well.

The US Criminal Justice system is a complex web of interconnected authorities, facilities, issues and concerns. One of the most important facets of criminal justice is the corrections system that houses, monitors and reintegrates individuals – adults and juveniles – under supervision of the law. The criminal laws and penal system that determine corrections requirements, the various stresses on the largest corrections system in the world here in the US as well as the various issues, concerns and considerations for rehabilitating and reintegrating individuals back into society require a fundamental understanding of the entire system in order to successfully take on the roles and responsibilities of professionals working in the Corrections system.

Recognizing the need for skilled professionals that undertake a career in this difficult and complex field, the Corrections Specialist program takes learners through the ins and outs of the US Corrections system and the laws that govern it alongside the individual, political and societal issues that corrections professionals face every day.

Program Objectives

After completing this program, learners will understand:

• The Correctional System
• Sentencing and the Correctional Process
• Community Corrections: Diversion and Probation
• Intermediate Sanctions
• Jails and Houses of Correction
• Prisons
• The Prison Experience: Gendered Perspectives
• Prisoners’ Rights
• Correctional Programs and Services
• Parole and Release to the Community
• Special Prison Populations
• Capital Punishment and Death Row
• The Juvenile Offender
• An Overview of Community Corrections: Goals and Evidence-Based Practices
• How Probation Developed: Chronicling Its Past and Present
• History of Parole and Mandatory Release
• Pretrial Supervision, Sentencing, and the Presentence Investigation Report
• Case Management Using Risk/Needs/Responsivity
• Supervision and Treatment for Offenders with Special Needs
• Community Supervision Modification and Revocation
• Residential Community Supervision Programs
• Nonresidential Graduated Sanctions
• Economic and Restorative Justice Reparations
• Prisoner Reentry: Collateral Consequences, Parole, and Mandatory Release
• Career Pathways in Community Corrections
• Juvenile Justice, Probation, and Parole
• Bringing It All Together: Practical Solutions for Community-Based Corrections

Certification Opportunities

After completing this program, learners will have the opportunity to take the leading national/industry-recognized certification exam(s) essential to entry-level employment in this fast-growing field.

National Workforce Career Association (NWCA) Corrections (CJ-CRCT)

Job and Externship Placement Services

Regardless if you elect to pursue national certification or not, if you enroll and successfully complete this program, assuming you pass a background check and drug screen, you will have guaranteed access to our Ready to Work (RTW) Job and Externship Placement services. All students who successfully complete this program (and pass a background check and drug screen) will have access to the RTW Externship or Job placement services at no additional cost.