Understanding the rewards and challenges of your career is an essential part of learning. Here are the 10 best online bachelor’s in corrections.
Earning a bachelor’s degree in corrections can further rank your determined position within the criminal justice industry. By obtaining this degree, you will understand the methods and techniques that will be utilized within the correctional environment.
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Working with individuals that are under correctional supervision can be a challenge, but your degree will equip you to know the proper way to handle any situation.
What is an Online Bachelor’s in Corrections degree?
A bachelor’s degree in corrections is typically referred to as a criminal justice degree with a concentration in corrections. Although a bachelor’s degree is not required to start a career in corrections, it can advance one’s career by offering higher pay or rank in position. Usually, individuals seeking this degree are interested in working on the federal level or earning a managerial, executive, or supervisory role within a correctional facility.
Most students complete an online bachelor’s in corrections within four years. Some colleges offer accelerated or part-time learning options.
Consider a broader degree for your bachelor’s, then a more focused master’s program. For instance, a Criminal Justice degree will give you a solid base for future specialties.
How much can you earn with an Online Bachelor’s in Corrections degree?
Students that earn an online bachelor’s degree in corrections can acquire several different positions and roles within the field. By specializing in corrections, you will be educated on the many duties of a corrections officer, such as probation, parole, and juvenile corrections. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, correctional officers and bailiffs make a median pay of $44,400 per year.
Here’s a list of other common career opportunities available for graduate students with a bachelor’s in corrections degree:
- Probation Officer
- Correctional Officer
- Bailiff
- Police Officer
- Security Guard
- State Trooper
- Fraud Investigator
What is required for an Online Bachelor’s in Corrections degree?
A bachelor’s degree isn’t necessarily required to work within the corrections field, but it can help you excel in your career. Most bachelor’s programs last four years; however, most programs will offer an accelerated plan.
The only requirements necessary for admission into a corrections bachelor degree program is typically a high school diploma or GED and submission of ACT or SAT scores. There may not be that many barriers to get you into a corrections program, but that doesn’t mean that everyone will succeed in this degree.
Standard courses that students will endure in this study are correctional operations, public safety, risk assessment, and foundations of law.
What are the best Online Bachelor’s in Corrections degrees?
OSR uses six data points: three school-wide and three program specific. For school-wide, OSR uses Student Satisfaction, Admission Rates, and the number of programs the school offers online. For program specific, OSR checks the Median Debt of graduates from that program, how many degrees are offered within that program’s umbrella department, and what percentage of students at that school graduated from that department.
The six statistics are displayed by each school. The sliding bar under each statistic represents how that school compares to other US institutions. “Not reported” means a school did not release that information to the US Department of Education. A more detailed description of the OSR process can be found on the methodology page.
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Eastern Kentucky University
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $8,996(in state) / $18,774(out of state)
- 8-week, accelerated-pace terms
- Total of 120 credit hours
- Transfer up to 90 credit hours
School Wide
Program Level
100%OSR ScoreEastern Kentucky University offers the best online bachelor’s degree program in corrections and juvenile justice studies. EKU is one of the only 100-percent online programs focused on adult services and juvenile justice. Students have access to free online tutoring and career service assistance, and are offered to enhance their degree with a minor or undergraduate certificate of choice.
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Tiffin University
20-Year ROI$844,623
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $23,700(in state) / $23,700(out of state)
- Classes start six times per year
- Accepts all transfer credits that earned a “C” or higher
- No application fee
School Wide
Program Level
96%OSR ScoreEarning an online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice corrections through Tiffin University will prepare you for today’s correctional system. If you’re interested in working with criminal offenders, this is the degree program for you. Your course load will include classes in probation, parole, case management, and crisis intervention.
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Park University
20-Year ROI$916,414
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $8,232(in state) / $8,232(out of state)
- Criminal Justice Club offered
- Total of 45 credit hours
- 8-week accelerated terms
School Wide
Program Level
92%OSR ScoreAt Park University, you can obtain a BS in criminal justice administration concentrating in corrections at your own pace. Entirely online, this program gives you a general look inside the criminal justice system from a theoretical, philosophical, and practical perspective. After completing your degree, you’ll fit within 40 new career opportunities in the criminal justice field.
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Utica College
20-Year ROI$899,107
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $20,126(in state) / $20,126(out of state)
- Six specializations offered
- Total of 120 credit hours
- Top Best Online Bachelor’s Programs by U.S. News & World Report
School Wide
Program Level
89%OSR ScoreOffered by Utica College, the BS in Criminal Justice program is entirely online. This program emphasizes the advancement of technology and provides classes that relate to technology expansion in crime. With six specializations to choose from, you can become an expert in your desired specialty within the field.
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Indiana Institute of Technology
20-Year ROI$842,763
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $25,940(in state) / $25,940(out of state)
- 5-week classes
- Option to choose a specialty or minor
- Total of 120 credits
School Wide
Program Level
84%OSR ScoreWith three enrollment options available, you can earn your BS in Criminal Justice from Indiana Institute of Technology at your own pace. Throughout the program, you’ll take courses on criminal behavior, victimology, and corrections in America. Each professor has real-life experience within the industry, which gives students an exclusive mentorship into the criminal justice field.
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Southern New Hampshire University
20-Year ROI$882,666
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $30,756(in state) / $30,756(out of state)
- Total of 120 credit hours
- Transfer up to 90 credits
- 8-week terms
School Wide
Program Level
81%OSR ScoreBecome a respected professional in the correctional system by earning a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice corrections from Southern New Hampshire University. With a combination of 120 credits and eight-week terms at your own pace, you can complete your entire degree online and on your own time. Online classes at SNHU are designed to be affordable, accelerated, and practical for real-world scenarios.
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University of the Southwest
20-Year ROI$719,683
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $16,000(in state) / $16,000(out of state)
- Professional/military training can be equivalent to credits
- No business degree required
- Financial aid available for online students
School Wide
Program Level
81%OSR ScoreIf you’re ready to become a leader in law enforcement or corrections, earning your MBA degree from the University of the Southwest is a great start. Throughout the program, your courses will include topics such as leadership, crime mapping, and statistics in criminal justice. The University of Southwest has nearly 50 years of experience teaching a criminal justice curriculum.
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Anderson University
20-Year ROI$693,275
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $24,290(in state) / $24,290(out of state)
- Total of 123 credit hours
- 8-week terms
- 27 credit hours dedicated to electives
School Wide
Program Level
78%OSR ScoreA complete online bachelor’s degree in criminal justice is now offered at Anderson University. Online courses are meant to mirror on-campus classes, so there’s no decrease in the value of education. Students enrolled in this program will learn the history, causes, and legal aspects of criminal procedure.
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University of Alaska Fairbanks
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $6,467(in state) / $21,344(out of state)
- For professionals pursuing a career in Alaska or the Pacific Northwest
- Total of 120 credit hours
- $50 application fee; $50 graduation fee
School Wide
Program Level
73%OSR ScoreCalling all aspiring police, probation, and parole officers- this program is for you! The online bachelor’s in criminal justice offered by the University of Alaska Fairbanks is an excellent program to excel your knowledge within the criminal justice system. Accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities, UAF teaches students the correct and safe way to impact the community.
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Fisher College
20-Year ROI$683,767
Quick Facts
- Tuition: $29,504(in state) / $29,504(out of state)
- Four-year program
- Senior seminar (or) senior research paper required for graduation
- Social science learning approach
School Wide
Program Level
72%OSR ScoreEarn your criminal justice degree within four years through Fisher College. If you’re interested in careers involving social science such as crime analysts and policy analysts, then this program is for you. Throughout this program, your courses will include topics such as corrections in America, computer applications, and deviance and social control.
