Correctional Officers are responsible for supervising individuals who have been arrested and are awaiting trial or who have been convicted of a crime and sentenced to serve time in a penitentiary or detention center. They admit and process about 13 million people a year in local jails across the country.

An Online Criminal Justice Degree with a focus in Corrections can fill the educational requirements for many entry level positions within the justice system. Undergraduate and graduate degree programs can prepare prospective jobseekers for employment in municipal, county, state and federal correctional facilities, as well as in juvenile detention centers, halfway-houses and work-release programs. Typical online coursework may include topics like:

• Institutional policies, regulations, and operations
• Custody and security procedures
• Criminal psychology and rehabilitation
• Population management
• State and federal law
• Probation and parole

Whether you're looking to start a new career or enhance your current skills, top online degrees in criminal justice and corrections have helped thousands further their education and achieve success through distance learning. Finding the best online degree program means finding one with curriculum that fits your lifestyle and is in line with your academic and career goals.