Best Master’s in Corrections Administration Programs

Earning a master’s in corrections administration and criminal justice can be a practical way for working professionals to enhance their career options and boost their earning potential.

Whether they work as police officers, as public policy advocates, or simply want to change their career path, individuals can enroll in a flexible and affordable online master’s program in corrections administration and criminal justice.

These online master’s programs often give degree-seekers the opportunity to complete coursework while keeping up with professional and personal responsibilities.

Additionally, full-time students can complete these master’s tracks in just 15 months. Throughout these programs, students tackle coursework that can help enhance their leadership skills and deepen their criminal justice knowledge.

And while the true program cost of a graduate degree can seem expensive, online students cut costs on campus-based fees and travel all while expanding their job options in the future. Those weighing whether they should attend graduate school and go into debt may feel comfortable knowing that the best programs are relatively generous with awarding aid.

Continue reading to see which schools offer the best master’s in corrections administration programs and which programs mirror your academic and career goals.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Rankings compiled by the BestColleges Ranking Team

Each year, the BestColleges Ranking Team evaluates hundreds of programs to produce our annual Best Master’s in Corrections Administration ranking. In 2022, the team sourced the most recent data available from the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System and College Navigator, both of which are hosted by the National Center for Education Statistics. We identified 10 schools that qualify for our ranking list based on the following criteria.

To ensure the accuracy and quality of our final ranked list, the ranking team reviewed each qualifying school to ensure it met the criteria for our ranking, and then applied our proprietary ranking methodology to identify the best schools offering this program in the nation. Each school is ranked based on a formula measuring academic factors (60%) and affordability (40%).

The BestColleges Ranking Team is made up of contributors from our data science and product management teams. These contributors operate independently from the editorial team. All BestColleges school rankings are produced by the ranking team and are free of editorial influence. Read our Editorial Policy and Standards to learn more.

A master’s degree in corrections equips its graduates for specialized leadership and policy roles in several correctional and criminal justice-related professions. While each corrections degree establishes its own curriculum, students in all programs learn about crime control strategies and prevention, correctional law, and principles and procedures for correctional management. Some programs offer specialized concentrations that emphasize facility administration, community corrections and rehabilitation, or the treatment of juvenile offenders, substance abusers, or other special populations.

Students may earn a master’s in either an online or campus-based format. Online programs often appeal to working professionals exploring a career change or promotion into an administrative position. The flexibility of distance learning degrees may also draw in law enforcement and correctional personnel who need to maintain their work schedules while seeking an advanced degree to move up in rank. A traditional campus-based degree may attract students coming directly out of an undergraduate program who have already decided on career goals in a correctional specialization where a master’s degree can boost their chances for advancement.

Students in on-campus programs benefit from personal mentoring and advising from faculty. They may also have more opportunities for collaborative research and informal interaction with other students in their cohort. As students near their graduation date, they should take advantage of their school’s career placement services. If possible, they should find an internship or independent research project to gain applied experience. Whatever the delivery format, a corrections master’s degree provides a competitive advantage in the workforce that translates into broader career prospects and greater financial rewards.

Correctional workers find employment in police departments; local, state, and federal prisons; the court system; and private correctional facilities. Because of these challenging work environments, most employers look for correctional specialists who possess good organizational and negotiation skills as well as physical and emotional strength. Although each state and branch of government establishes its own hiring standards, college degree holders generally move into correctional positions with higher salaries and managerial responsibility. While entry-level positions may not require graduate training, a master’s degree in corrections opens up greater opportunities for career advancement. Most supervisory and administrative positions require a corrections or criminal justice master’s degree.

Sources: Bureau of Labor Statistics and PayScale

You have to do your homework when choosing the right master’s program to fit your academic and personal needs. Each school differs in its graduation requirements and program characteristics. Make sure to choose an accredited school and pay attention to its overall ranking and reputation. As you look at various programs, compare degree requirements and credit hours and find out if the program offers any concentrations in specific subareas that match your career goals.

Students enrolled full time in a master’s program may finish all degree requirements in two years. Some online programs may be completed in 18 months or less, although part-time students may need three or more years to complete their degree. Students who need to work and/or manage family responsibilities while going to school may prefer the flexibility offered by an online or hybrid program. A thesis or fieldwork requirement may also lengthen the time needed to complete a master’s degree.

Tuition costs vary substantially between public and private schools. While in-state students usually pay less tuition than those from out-of-state, some online programs offer the same tuition rate regardless of residency. The school’s location also contributes to the cost, so remember to budget for transportation, lodging, and meals. While online programs may prove more affordable than campus-based degrees, they often charge technology fees in addition to tuition and sometimes require travel to campus a few times a year for workshops. Students looking at traditional brick-and-mortar schools should find out if they offer graduate fellowships, work-study placements, or other opportunities for employment.

When choosing a master’s degree in corrections, students should pay attention to a school’s accreditation status. Accreditation determines eligibility for federal financial aid and the acceptance of transfer credits. Graduate programs and some employers give preference to applicants from accredited institutions. Technical, vocational, and for-profits often seek out national accreditation. These schools often offer less stringent admissions requirements and inexpensive tuition. Colleges and universities offering bachelor’s degrees and above typically seek out regional accreditation, which requires higher professional and academic standards.

In addition to these two kinds of institutional accreditation, some schools obtain specialized accreditation for programs and degrees within a particular field of study. Programmatic accreditations currently do not exist for correctional programs, although the Academy of Criminal Justice Sciences (ACJS) grants programmatic accreditation for bachelor’s and master’s degrees in criminal justice. While ACJS accreditation enjoys wide recognition, the absence of this credential has little bearing on the quality of a master’s degree in corrections.

The earlier you begin applying, the greater your chances of success. Start by researching program requirements, credit hours, and specializations. You can begin to apply to schools six months or more before your intended start date. Some programs, especially online degrees, offer rolling admissions throughout the year. Many on-campus programs request GRE scores, while some online degrees do not consider them. If required, take the GRE in late summer or fall before you begin the application process.

Each corrections degree establishes its own distinctive curriculum and requirements. Some corrections and criminal justice master’s programs offer students the opportunity to choose a concentration in a focused area of study. A concentration helps students develop a specific set of skills and the specialized knowledge that best aligns with their career plans.

Requirements for a corrections degree vary by school, but most programs share some common features. Students enrolled in a master’s degree in corrections usually take courses that explore the management of detention facilities and prisons, the treatment of special populations, correctional law and policy, community corrections, and rehabilitation. Many programs require a thesis or field placement.

A master’s degree in corrections requires 30-40 credits, and most full-time students can complete the program in two years. However, the length of time needed to finish a degree ultimately depends on the program requirements and the number of courses completed each term. Some students can maintain continuous enrollment, while others who must handle work or family responsibilities may choose to attend part time or take time off for a semester or two, extending the time needed to complete the degree.

Program format and specific requirements can impact program length. Some courses have prerequisites that must be taken in a specific order. A thesis requirement or fieldwork may lengthen the amount of time needed to finish the degree. Online degrees usually allow students the flexibility to progress through courses at their own pace, but some cohort-based programs require a fixed schedule.

For many students, paying for a master’s degree in corrections represents a major challenge. Costs vary considerably based on the type of school, program features, and location. The National Center for Education Statistics reports the average graduate tuition for public colleges and universities at $11,303 and $25,817 for private, nonprofit schools. While public institutions usually cost less than private institutions, some private schools offset costs by offering financial aid or tuition discounts.

Although tuition and fees for out-of-state schools cost more than in-state rates, online programs at private schools sometimes offer the same tuition rate to both in-state and out-of-state students. In addition to expected costs for tuition, books, and supplies, students attending campus-based programs must budget for transportation, housing, and meals. While online students save on travel and lodging, they often have to pay technology fees.

Whatever your personal circumstances, investigate all possibilities for financial assistance and make sure to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to qualify for federal aid. Many graduate programs offer specialized scholarships, fellowships, research grants, military benefits, or work-study awards. Working professionals planning to return to school should check with their employer about tuition remission benefits that may finance their degree in exchange for a commitment of continued employment.

Users of this site find resources for state and local correctional training programs, a searchable library and online help desk, and statistics on the corrections industry. It offers several publications, including the 50 State Report on Public Safety.

Correctional professionals, researchers, and students can access current data on inmate populations and research on issues such as drug treatment, equity and diversity, prison management, and recidivism. It also provides resources for victims, witnesses, and former prisoners.

The NRRC provides publications and webinars to support correctional and supervision practices that reduce recidivism. It publishes a reentry services directory that includes employment and housing assistance, mentoring services, substance abuse treatment, and victim support.

Administrators, researchers, and students use the evidence gathered here to evaluate educational programs for incarcerated adults and juveniles. The project provides an archive of downloadable publications, research reports, blog posts, and statistics presented in multimedia and infographic formats.

Joining a professional association offers invaluable benefits to graduate students preparing to enter an increasingly competitive job market. Your membership gives you the chance to network with experienced practitioners and specialists. You can learn about new developments in corrections from industry leaders and top authorities. Correctional organizations, like those listed here, host conferences and workshops, sponsor scholarship and grant programs, and provide an array of career resources including job banks. Many offer free or discounted membership to students.

As the oldest and one of the best-known professional associations in corrections, the ACA promotes the interests of correctional professionals at every level and institutional setting. It also sponsors one of the major correctional credentialing programs.

Established in 1974, IACTP represents correctional trainers, training administrators, and educators from the adult and juvenile justice fields. It sponsors an annual conference, quarterly webinars, and a certificate training program.

This national advocacy group supports policy interests in all areas of criminal justice, including law enforcement and corrections. NCJA lobbies for effective criminal justice policy and funding for justice assistance programs. Students may apply for a discounted membership rate.

AJA supports correctional workers employed in local institutional settings. It sponsors an annual training conference and administers certifications for jail personnel. AJA offers a discounted membership rate to full-time students not currently employed in the corrections field.

APPA extends membership to community corrections professionals, service providers, and others interested in parole and probation who share the goal of reducing recidivism. Student members receive discounts on training institutes and complimentary subscriptions to APPA publications.

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