Corrections Certificate

Career Certificate
Cost
$5,196*

Maintain a secure environment

Protect the community and victims’ rights. Ensure a safe space for sentenced individuals and pre-trial detainees. Follow policies and protocols to create an atmosphere for rehabilitation.

Specialize in Corrections and learn:

  • How to document and write reports
  • Techniques for interviewing individuals
  • Interpersonal communication skills

You’ll gain the know-how to begin a career in corrections. If already working in this field, you’ll develop expertise to excel at your workplace.

What can you do with a certificate in Corrections?

With this certificate, you can work as an entry level correctional officer. Your employer also may provide on-the-job training.

With experience and good performance, you can move into a supervisory role. Or you can develop skills in a specific area or join a specialized tactical or K-9 team. Your certificate prepares you to work in:

  • Jails, prisons and detention centers
  • Federal, state and local institutions
  • Psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals

Highlights

  • Career Certificate

    Earn a career certificate in 1 year or less to refine your skills into an in-demand career.

  • Program Length: 1 Year

    Full-time students finish in 1 year.

  • Financial Aid/Scholarships Available

    Based on need and/or achievement. Explore ways to pay for college.

Career Outlook

View more careers

Need help?

Your College & Career Navigator (CCN) helps you

  • complete the admission process
  • choose an academic program
  • enroll in first-semester classes
  • get access to helpful resources

Talk to a CCN

Recommended Pathway

This pathway serves as a guide for students to complete the degree or certificate assuming full-time enrollment (registered in 12 or more credit hours per semester) with Semester 1 typically representing a Fall term. Students are strongly encouraged to meet with their College and Career Navigator (CCN) to identify coursework that will meet degree requirements based on individual academic goals. For a more inclusive list of course options, see the college catalog.

Icon Key

  • Credit for prior learning available
  • Dual credit options available
  • Global citizenship
  • Online/Virtual options available

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    CLC 120

    CLC 120 College Success Seminar

    Class Description

    This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.
         		2
    CRJ 121

    CRJ 121 Introduction to Criminal Justice

    Class Description

    This course examines the legal process and the administration of justice in American society. Students will be exposed to the criminal process from the police function through adjudication, sentencing, and corrections, as well as the social, moral, and political issues involved in the administration of justice in a free society.
         		3
    CRJ 123

    CRJ 123 Introduction to Criminology

    Class Description

    This course is designed to familiarize the student with the social and legal aspects of crime in American society. An emphasis is placed on the definition of crime and deviance, the nature and extent of the crime problem, the history of criminology, criminological theory, violent crime, economic crime, public-order crime, and victimology.
         		3
    CRJ 124

    CRJ 124 Introduction to Corrections

    Class Description

    This course examines the history, philosophy, and administration of corrections in America. An emphasis will be placed on philosophies of punishment, sentencing strategies, the prison community, alternatives to incarceration, and various reform efforts. Critical issues facing corrections will be examined.
         		3
    CRJ 125

    CRJ 125 Introduction to Private Security

    Class Description

    This course introduces students to the private security profession in the United States. Topics covered include the relationship between private security and the criminal justice system, as well as current trends in the profession. Students will explore specialized security fields and career opportunities in various industries. This course will also provide insight into various aspects of security, including, but not limited to, community, retail, corporate, business and industrial problems and concerns. In addition, governmental and legal aspects of security will be examined.
         		3
    • Course Code CLC 120
      Course Title

      CLC 120 College Success Seminar

      Class Description

      This course is designed to teach students attitudes and skills valuable for college success. Topics may include: growth mindset, self-advocacy skills, college resources, college culture, financial literacy, and academic success strategies, such as study skills, time management, and goal setting. Throughout this course, students will develop skills necessary for promoting positive human relations in a diverse society.
      Credits 2
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code CRJ 121
      Course Title

      CRJ 121 Introduction to Criminal Justice

      Class Description

      This course examines the legal process and the administration of justice in American society. Students will be exposed to the criminal process from the police function through adjudication, sentencing, and corrections, as well as the social, moral, and political issues involved in the administration of justice in a free society.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code CRJ 123
      Course Title

      CRJ 123 Introduction to Criminology

      Class Description

      This course is designed to familiarize the student with the social and legal aspects of crime in American society. An emphasis is placed on the definition of crime and deviance, the nature and extent of the crime problem, the history of criminology, criminological theory, violent crime, economic crime, public-order crime, and victimology.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code CRJ 124
      Course Title

      CRJ 124 Introduction to Corrections

      Class Description

      This course examines the history, philosophy, and administration of corrections in America. An emphasis will be placed on philosophies of punishment, sentencing strategies, the prison community, alternatives to incarceration, and various reform efforts. Critical issues facing corrections will be examined.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code CRJ 125
      Course Title

      CRJ 125 Introduction to Private Security

      Class Description

      This course introduces students to the private security profession in the United States. Topics covered include the relationship between private security and the criminal justice system, as well as current trends in the profession. Students will explore specialized security fields and career opportunities in various industries. This course will also provide insight into various aspects of security, including, but not limited to, community, retail, corporate, business and industrial problems and concerns. In addition, governmental and legal aspects of security will be examined.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

  • Course Code Course Title Credits Course Highlights
    CRJ 130

    CRJ 130 Report Writing

    Class Description

    This course is designed to expose today?s criminal justice student to the purpose of report writing. Students will build the skills required to create various types of police reports thoroughly and insightfully. The student will recognize the impact that written reports have on the entire criminal justice process, while identifying and utilizing, through practice, how to build clear, concise and correct reports. Emphasis will be placed on sound grammar and syntax, while introducing the need to adhere to policy and constitutional mandates in the report writing process. Key concepts include, but are not limited to, the following: Differentiate reports based on type and purpose, construct sound narratives in both chronological and categorical formats, recognize and apply sound revision and editing techniques, and proper integration, use, and disposal of field notes.
         		3
    CRJ 224

    CRJ 224 Institutional Corrections

    Class Description

    This course will provide students with exposure to a variety of perspectives about the operations of the largest and most expensive component of the American criminal justice system, Institutional Corrections. Jails and prisons in the United States house more than two million Americans and continue to grow. This course will help students gain an understanding of how these systems operate as well as how they attempt to control the rapid growth in inmate populations, institutions, staff and expenses.
         		3
    CRJ 227

    CRJ 227 Community-Based Corrections

    Class Description

    This course examines the use of the community in the treatment and control of individuals in the correctional process. Students are exposed to such topics as probation, parole, restitution, community service, deferred prosecution, work release, halfway houses, group homes, and other strategies designed for community corrections.
         		3
    CRJ 229

    CRJ 229 Juvenile Delinquency

    Class Description

    This course examines juvenile delinquency in American society, including the historical, behavioral, legal, and correctional aspects of delinquency. Emphasis is placed on the nature and extent of delinquency in the United States, the traditional theories of delinquent behavior, and the legal processing of juvenile offenders.
         		3
    • Course Code CRJ 130
      Course Title

      CRJ 130 Report Writing

      Class Description

      This course is designed to expose today?s criminal justice student to the purpose of report writing. Students will build the skills required to create various types of police reports thoroughly and insightfully. The student will recognize the impact that written reports have on the entire criminal justice process, while identifying and utilizing, through practice, how to build clear, concise and correct reports. Emphasis will be placed on sound grammar and syntax, while introducing the need to adhere to policy and constitutional mandates in the report writing process. Key concepts include, but are not limited to, the following: Differentiate reports based on type and purpose, construct sound narratives in both chronological and categorical formats, recognize and apply sound revision and editing techniques, and proper integration, use, and disposal of field notes.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code CRJ 224
      Course Title

      CRJ 224 Institutional Corrections

      Class Description

      This course will provide students with exposure to a variety of perspectives about the operations of the largest and most expensive component of the American criminal justice system, Institutional Corrections. Jails and prisons in the United States house more than two million Americans and continue to grow. This course will help students gain an understanding of how these systems operate as well as how they attempt to control the rapid growth in inmate populations, institutions, staff and expenses.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code CRJ 227
      Course Title

      CRJ 227 Community-Based Corrections

      Class Description

      This course examines the use of the community in the treatment and control of individuals in the correctional process. Students are exposed to such topics as probation, parole, restitution, community service, deferred prosecution, work release, halfway houses, group homes, and other strategies designed for community corrections.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights
    • Course Code CRJ 229
      Course Title

      CRJ 229 Juvenile Delinquency

      Class Description

      This course examines juvenile delinquency in American society, including the historical, behavioral, legal, and correctional aspects of delinquency. Emphasis is placed on the nature and extent of delinquency in the United States, the traditional theories of delinquent behavior, and the legal processing of juvenile offenders.
      Credits 3
      Course Highlights

Total Credit Hours

26

*Cost is estimated based on recommended pathway credit hours. This includes in-district tuition and other fees, such as books and materials before financial aid is applied, as well as grants, loans or scholarships. There are many opportunities for financial assistance at CLC. Learn more about Cost of Attendance.



Female student taking notes in class

Criminal Justice at CLC

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