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Online Corrections Certificate

Additional training and education not provided by Purdue Global may be required for correctional positions.

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Program at a Glance
  • The online certificate program is designed to meet the regulatory and continuing professional education requirements for corrections officers and employees of community-based corrections programs.
  • Learn from professors who bring real-world experience to the courses they teach.
  • Credits earned in this certificate program can apply toward a Purdue Global associate’s or bachelor’s degree program.
COURSE EFFORT 15–18 Hours per Week
COURSE LENGTH 10-Week Terms
Course Details
CREDITS REQUIRED 36
COST PER CREDIT $371
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How Do I Get Started?

We offer multiple start dates to give you flexibility in your education, life, and work schedules.

Corrections Certificate Overview

If you want to pursue entry-level positions in a corrections facility or advance your current corrections career, Purdue Global’s Corrections Certificate can prepare you with the necessary skills and credentials to excel in this increasingly complex career field. 

In this corrections training program, you will:

  • Study the U.S court system and contemporary legal issues in prisons, jails, and other correctional facilities.
  • Explore the administrative and operational aspects of corrections in the United States, with a focus on topics such as inmate rights, correctional staffing, overcrowding, and privatization.
  • Examine the purposes, objectives, and standards of care associated with various types of corrections programs and institutions, with an emphasis on intervention strategies and community alternatives to incarceration.
  • Develop appropriate professional responses to client behaviors given differences in personal, group, and cultural meanings among clients.

See the University Catalog for policy and degree plan information specific to this program.

Admissions Requirements

To enroll in the online certificate program, you must possess an associate’s or bachelor’s degree within the criminal justice field from an accredited institution OR provide proof of work experience in law enforcement, the military, or an associated area of criminal justice within the last 18 months and meet additional criteria determined by the Dean.


Refer to the University Catalog or speak to an Advisor to learn more.

Purdue University Global Is Accredited by The Higher Learning Commission

This accreditation covers all academic programs, all regional locations, and all programs provided via distance education. For more information, please visit HLCommission.org or call 800-621-7440.

Career Opportunities

Correctional officers perform a variety of law enforcement roles in supervising and maintaining security in correctional facilities. Corrections professionals also interact with probation and parole officials. This program is designed to provide you with the specialized knowledge and skills to pursue a correctional officer career in work environments such as local corrections facilities, state corrections facilities, and federal corrections facilities.

Top 5 Skills Employers Are Looking for:

  1. Social Perceptiveness
  2. Speaking
  3. Active Listening
  4. Monitoring
  5. Critical Thinking

Top Jobs With This Degree

Labor market, salary, and projected growth information are supplied by Emsi. Average salary range is based on national data. Projected growth represents the estimated change in total employment over the projections period (2018–2030) at the state level and is based on your geographic location. Actual outcomes vary by geographic area, previous work experience, and opportunities for employment. Purdue Global cannot guarantee employment placement, salary level, or career advancement.

Local, state, and federal correctional/probation officer jobs and law enforcement positions may require additional training or education including additional state-approved higher education beyond the Purdue Global degree. This program was not designed to meet any specific state’s requirements, and Purdue Global makes no representations or warranties as to whether the degree or any individual courses meet such requirements. Refer to the University Catalog for additional information. Graduates of Purdue Global criminal justice programs are not eligible to attend police academies in Minnesota.

Get a Head Start on Your Next Degree

By completing the Corrections Certificate, you’ll not only earn a valuable credential to make an immediate impact on your career, but you’ll also lay the groundwork for your next degree. Qualified credits can apply toward a Purdue Global associate’s or bachelor’s degree.*

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Learn More

The Corrections Certificate program focuses on today's complex corrections field, exploring related principles, standards, and operations.

Sample Courses
  • Introduction to Corrections
  • Introduction to Constitutional Law
  • Juvenile Delinquency
See All Corrections Courses
Credit Breakdown
  • Major Credits36
  • Total Credits36

Ways to Save

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Maine residents will pay $420.00 per credit for all graduate programs, with the exception of the Doctor of Nursing Practice. Tuition does not include University fees and associated program fees. View tuition and fee information or contact an Admissions Advisor for more information.

Get to Know Our Faculty

Purdue Global faculty members are real-world practitioners who bring knowledge gained through the powerful combination of higher learning and industry experience.

View Criminal Justice and Fire Science Faculty Directory
grad hat icon 98% Faculty members who have advanced degrees
diploma icon 48% Faculty members who hold a doctorate
tablet icon 264 Faculty publications in 2019–2020
student at desk icon More Than 45,000 Professional development hours logged by faculty in 2019–2020

Statistics include all Purdue Global faculty members and are not school or program-specific calculations. Source: Purdue Global Office of Reporting and Analysis, July 2020. 2019–2020 academic year.

School Brochure

Download our brochure to learn more about our criminal justice programs and the benefits of earning your degree at Purdue Global.

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NOTES AND CONDITIONS

*The University cannot guarantee that students will be granted admission to any future programs. Speak to an Advisor about transfer credit opportunities and see the University Catalog for the Prior Learning Assessment policy.