Description and Outcomes

The Corrections Certificate program is designed to prepare you to pursue entry-level and supervisory positions in today's complex corrections environment. The field of corrections provides a variety of job opportunities, and 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.

Qualified credits earned in fulfillment of this certificate program may be transferable to certain Purdue Global degree programs.

Program Length

The Corrections Certificate program consists of a minimum of 36 quarter credit hours. Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate.

Program Outcomes

1. Composition: Demonstrate college-level writing, research, documentation, and critical thinking skills.
2. Staff Roles: Differentiate the roles and responsibilities of various employee classifications in correctional institutions and settings.
3. Client Relations: Develop appropriate professional responses to client behaviors given differences in personal, group, and cultural meanings among clients.
4. Client Growth and Development: Define the relationship between biopsychosocial development, current client problems, and appropriate custodial settings or community-based corrections alternatives.
5. Law: Select appropriate policies and practices to meet legal principles and standards applicable to client care and custody and the management of corrections programs and institutions.
6. Client Custody and Care: Define the purposes, objectives, and standards of care associated with various types of corrections programs and institutions.
7. Ethics: Select accepted ethical practices in corrections settings.

Program Availability

For program availability, please refer to the U.S. State and Other Approvals section and Program Availability Information.

Policies

Admissions Requirements

You must meet the below admissions requirements in addition to Purdue Global's general requirements.

If you do not possess an associate's or bachelor's degree within the criminal justice field from an accredited institution at the time of admission, you may be admitted to the program after providing proof that you have been employed in law enforcement, the military, or an associated area of criminal justice within the last 18 months prior to enrollment. If you do not possess a prior degree, admission is at the discretion of the Dean of the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences based on a review of work experience and other relevant criteria.

By the last day of the first term, you must supply the official transcripts required for your enrollment. Failure to comply with this deadline will result in withdrawal from your program and blocked reentry until an official transcript is provided or you change your program of study to one that does not require proof of graduation.

Certification, State Board, and National Board Exams

Certain state certification and licensure boards have specific educational requirements for programs to lead to a license or nongovernmental certification that is a precondition for employment in a recognized occupation.

Unless otherwise specified, Purdue Global's programs are not designed to meet any specific state’s licensure or certification requirements. If certain licensed occupations, vocations, or professions are not explicitly listed, Purdue Global has not made a determination with respect to the licensure or certification requirements of those occupations, vocations, or professions. Licensure-track programs may limit enrollment to students in certain states; please see Purdue Global’s Program Availability Information to determine enrollment eligibility.

You are responsible for understanding the requirements of optional certification exams. Such requirements may change during the course of your program. You are not automatically certified in any way upon program completion. Although certain programs are designed to prepare you to take various optional certification exams, Purdue Global cannot guarantee you will be eligible to take these exams or become certified. Your eligibility may depend on your work experience, completion of education and/or degree requirements, not having a criminal record, meeting other certification requirements, or the program or the University itself having appropriate accreditation or licensure.

Program Requirements