Interested in Becoming a Prison Warden?
Prison wardens, sometimes called correctional officers or prison guards, process and guard nearly 12 million inmates every year. As members of the staff of locked institutions, wardens are tasked with supervising incarcerated prisoners and assuring the safety and security of the institution itself.
Degrees for Prison Wardens
Working in the Federal Bureau of Prisons requires wardens to hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree or three years experience in a similar role. Completing a degree program in criminal justice with a focus in corrections can help you better understand the psychology of criminal behavior and how to best manage convicts during the time of their imprisonment.
Preparing for Prison Warden Work
The primary task of the warden is to supervise the inmates incarcerated in the institution and maintain order. To accomplish this, prison wardens routinely monitor the activities of inmates, search cells for contraband and enforce discipline. Preparing to work as a warden requires special training in some of the following areas:
- Processing and escorting prisoners
- Ensuring facility safety
- Inspecting safety measures
- Maintaining detailed records of inspection details
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, opportunities for prison wardens should remain solid over the next several years due in part to an increasing prison population.
Interested in Becoming a Corrections Officer?
Correctional officers, sometimes called prison guards, process and guard nearly 12 million inmates every year. As members of the staff of locked institutions, correctional officers are tasked with supervising the prisoners incarcerated in these facilities and assuring the safety and security of the institution itself. To excel in this career, coursework in criminal justice and the determination to ensure security in locked facilities are encouraged.
Degrees for Corrections Officers
To work in the Federal Bureau of Prisons, corrections officers are required to hold a minimum of a bachelor's degree or three years experience in a similar role. Completing a degree program in criminal justice with a focus in corrections can help you better understand the psychology of criminal behavior and how to best manage convicts during the time of their imprisonment.
Preparing for Corrections Work
The primary task of the correctional officer is to guard and supervise the inmates incarcerated in the institution as well as maintain order. To accomplish this, correctional officers routinely monitor the activities of inmates, search cells for contraband and enforce discipline. Preparing to work as a correctional officer requires special training in some of the following areas:
- Escorting prisoners
- Ensuring safety within large facilities
- Inspecting locks, gates and other points of entry
- Maintaining detailed notes and records based on inspection details
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, opportunities for correctional officer positions should remain solid over the next several years due in part to an increasing prison population.
Interested in Becoming a Parole Officer?
Parole officers are employed by both the federal and state government to work with offenders who have been conditionally released from prison before completing their sentences. Parole officers make recommendations to parole boards, help offenders adjust to life outside of prison and monitor their progress and compliance.
Degrees for Parole Officers
To become a parole officer, a candidate is usually required to have a bachelor's degree in criminal justice, law enforcement, corrections, social work, sociology or psychology; the federal government may require graduate work toward a master's degree in a related discipline.
Preparing for Parole Officer Work
Parole officers help parolees adjust back into society and avoid violations of their parole. Some job duties of parole officers include:
- Developing housing, employment, education and drug screening plans before their release
- Offering recommendations to parole boards
- Testifying in parole hearings
- Monitoring and evaluating parolees' progress
In addition to degree requirements, parole officers must also pass background checks and be physically healthy and mentally sound. Parole officers often carry around 100 active cases at one time and carry firearms as the job can be dangerous.
Interested in Becoming a Homeland Security Agent?
Homeland Security agents work for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which covers a broad range of departments that all work toward the same goals: preventing terrorist attacks, reducing the country's vulnerability to terrorism and recovering from terrorist attacks if they do happen. Border security, immigration, drug enforcement (DEA), transportation (TSA), emergency relief (FEMA) and the Secret Service are all covered under the umbrella of the DHS.
Degrees for Homeland Security Agents
As the Department of Homeland Security provides a wide range of career opportunities, just about any bachelor's degree related to the criminal justice field can be helpful, particularly those in Homeland Security and law enforcement. Note that background checks and security clearances are required as well.
Preparing for Homeland Security Work
Because Homeland Security covers so many different areas, job duties vary widely by department, but include some of the following:
- Emergency preparedness and response
- Protection against and recovery from terrorist attacks and natural disasters
- Transportation and border security
- Immigration policy administration
- Domestic intelligence
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, Department of Homeland Security positions are expected to grow over the next decade, especially when it comes to emergency preparedness and border and transportation security.
Interested in Working in Criminal Justice?
Individuals with degrees in criminal justice are in high demand, but enforcing justice in the legal system, keeping the peace and obtaining retribution for victims comes in many forms. Find a wide variety of careers in criminal justice below.
Law Enforcement
- Analyst: Collect facts, evidence and other material related to crime and put them in order to develop a case, explain a problem or describe crime trends.
- Police: Serve the community by enforcing federal, state and local laws while preserving the peace.
- Probation: Evaluate the progress of convicted offenders' efforts at rehabilitation and monitor compliance with the terms of their sentences, reporting their findings to the court.
- Records: Help law enforcement agencies identify, capture and process suspected criminals.
- Sheriff: Uniformed law enforcement officials who works at the county level of state government.
Court
- Bailiff: Tasked with providing general security for the courthouse and its staff, maintaining appropriate courtroom decorum and taking charge of juries when the court is not in session.
- Court Clerk: Responsibilities include maintaining the records of the court, issuing licenses and assisting officers of the court in research.
- Court Reporter: Create verbatim transcripts of courtroom proceedings and other events.
- Paralegal: Work under the direction and authority of attorneys performing work of a legal nature without engaging in actions that are restricted by law solely to attorneys.
- Records: Process, file and distribute court records.
Corrections
- Corrections Officer: Supervise prisoners in various locked facilities and maintains security in these institutions.
- Prison Personnel: Manage prison, administrative and custodial staff.
- Records: Review, process and file judgments, sentences and records of inmates.
- Warden: Supervise prisoners in various locked facilities and maintains security in these institutions.
Private Sector
- Business Support and Security: Patrol assigned areas of businesses while remaining vigilant of criminal activity.
- Home Security: Patrol assigned areas of estates and individuals while remaining vigilant of criminal activity.
- Private Investigator: Hired by people to investigate private matters, such as a cheating spouse or missing person.
- Records: Process, file and distribute records for businesses and employers.
Public Safety
- Child Protective Service: Arrange and deliver personal, psychological or social services intended to protect children and families at risk.
- Community Safety: Reduce crime in the community through special training, monitoring and patrolling.
- Home Security: Patrol assigned areas of estates and individuals while remaining vigilant of criminal activity.
- Human Services Worker: Work to help improve the overall quality of life for individuals in group homes, halfway houses, community centers and various programs.
- Records: Process, file and distribute records in the area of public safety.
- Victims Advocate: Actively promote the health and welfare of victims' rights.
Federal Government
- Agent (ATF, CIA, DEA, FBI, ICE): Work in federal law enforcement to safeguard the country and gather intelligence.
- Customs Agent: Enforce immigration and customs laws, safeguard U.S. commercial aviation and protect federal facilities.
- Secret Service: Provide personal protection, guard U.S. financial systems and investigate financial crimes.
- Treasury Agent: Collect taxes from businesses according to laws and determine tax liability.
- U.S. Marshal: Serve warrants issued by Federal courts, seize and dispose of property under court orders and arrest people wanted by the law.
Other Professions:
- Animal Control Officer
- Bailiff
- Border Patrol Agent
- Corrections Officer
- Court Clerk
- Crime Scene Investigator (CSI)
- Customs Agent
- Detective
- Dispatcher
- Federal Bureau of Investigation Agent (FBI)
- Fingerprint Specialist
- Forensic Scientist
- Game Warden
- Highway Patrolman
- Homeland Security Agent
- Immigrations Officer
- Law Enforcement Officer
- Parole Officer
- Police Officer
- Prison Warden
- Private Investigator
- Probation Officer
- Secret Service Agent
- Security Guard
- Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT)
- State Trooper
- US Marshal
- Victim's Advocate
Detectives can be promoted in the same way as police officers, including to the ranks of sergeant, lieutenant, captain, deputy chief and chief. Whether you're looking to become a private investigator or crime scene investigator, starting a degree program in criminal justice can be a great first step toward advancing your career.
Earn Your Degree Online in Criminal Justice
Accelerate your career with an online degree in criminal justice. Find certificates, associate, bachelor's and master's degree programs that emphasize fairness in the apprehension, prosecution, defense and incarceration of those charged with criminal offenses.
Degrees in Criminal Justice
Most criminal justice positions require a minimum of a bachelor's degree to qualify for employment, but some entry-level positions can be obtained with a certificate or an associate degree. If you're ready to seek justice for citizens and retribution for victims, choose an online degree program in criminal justice from the list below.
Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice
- Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
Bachelor's Degrees in Criminal Justice
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice Administration
- Bacehelor of Science in Organizational Security and Management
Master's Degrees in Criminal Justice
- Master of Science/Administration of Justice and Security
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