NY Corrections Officer Training Program Overview with School Info

In New York, students could prepare for a career in corrections by pursuing a criminal justice or corrections administration degree. Associate degree programs are common and are often designed for students who wish to eventually transfer to a 4-year college to earn a bachelor's degree. Programs are also available at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral degree levels. Aspiring corrections officers learn about criminal justice ethics, parole and probations, juvenile justice, policing and criminal law.

CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College

The City University of New York (CUNY) system has colleges throughout the 5 boroughs of New York City, including Manhattan, where this community college offers opportunities to achieve certificates, associate degrees, personal enrichment, and professional development to its over 24,000 students. For prospective corrections officers, there is an Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice, which may be available for direct transfer to baccalaureate criminal justice programs at local 4-year schools. This program comprises 60 units, and it includes courses like introductory criminal justice, criminology, police work, corrections, and substantive criminal law. Students in this program are also required to complete a general liberal arts curriculum that aims to provide a basic background in humanities, English, math, and science.

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

City University's John Jay College of Criminal Justice is located in New York City, and it serves more than 14,700 students. Graduates of associate degree programs in criminal justice at other CUNY schools may be able to transfer to the Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice, which is available at John Jay. Also available for criminal justice students seeking advanced degrees are the dual B.A/M.A. in criminal justice, the Master of Arts in Criminal Justice, and the Doctor of Philosophy in Criminal Justice. These degree programs aim to provide training for students seeking careers ranging from entry-level to supervisory and may provide the appropriate training for students seeking careers in the field of corrections.

CUNY Kingsborough Community College

CUNY Kingsborough Community College is located in Brooklyn, and it enrolls more than 19,000 students each year. The 60-unit Associate in Arts in Criminal Justice may provide the necessary training for prospective corrections officers seeking a degree in this field. Courses like English, math, philosophy, and history are required to fulfill the general education requirements at Kingsborough, but coursework in constitutional law, the American legal system, policing, and corrections will also be provided for students in this program.

CUNY LaGuardia Community College

Long Island City is home to CUNY LaGuardia Community College, and it serves more than 18,600 students in its certificate and associate degree programs. The criminal justice department at LaGuardia Community College offers an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice, which requires the completion of 60 units in a combination of general education and major coursework. This program aims to provide prospective corrections officers and other law enforcement trainees with the communication skills as well as the academic and legal background necessary for success in this career field. LaGuardia's A.S. program in criminal justice also requires a 3-unit full-time internship, which may give degree seekers a chance to get some hands-on experience before committing to a career in this field.

CUNY Queensborough Community College

Bayside is the location of this CUNY school, which enrolls more than 16,800 students each year. Queensborough Community College awards both certificates and associate degrees, and it has a student-to-teacher ratio of 24:1. Students at this school can work towards an Associate of Science in Criminal Justice, or enroll in an A.S./B.A. dual degree program, which continues at the John Jay School of Criminal Justice. The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice at QCC takes about 2 years to complete and requires 60 units of coursework, which are made up of 45 units of general education courses and 15 units of criminal justice classes. All of the credits earned in this program are available for direct transfer to John Jay's baccalaureate criminal justice program.

Erie Community College

Erie Community College, located in Buffalo, enrolls more than 14,000 students and offers certificates and associate degrees. Prospective corrections officers can train for this field by enrolling in the Associate of Science in Criminal Justice program, which requires 61 units of coursework and aims to provide students with a curriculum sequence that may allow for transfer to 4-year schools. This program may also prepare students for careers in corrections, probation, or law enforcement. Classes like criminology, college composition, American government, criminal justice ethics, and general psychology are available at ECC for degree seekers in this field.

Monroe Community College

Monroe Community College is located in Rochester, and it enrolls close to 17,700 students. There are several options for students hoping to pursue law enforcement training at Monroe. The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice is the preferred program for students hoping to transfer to 4-year degree programs, and there are 2 Associate of Applied Science options - in corrections or policing - offered for students hoping to transition directly into the workforce. Potential corrections officers may find that the Associate of Applied Science in Corrections Administration program provides adequate training through courses like constitutional law, composition, urban politics, civil liberties, criminal law, corrections, and juvenile justice. Enrollees in this program are required to complete 65-69 units.

Nassau Community College

Nassau Community College is located in Garden City, and it enrolls about 23,500 students each year. The criminal justice department offers associate degrees in criminal justice, fire science, and emergency management, and it aims to prepare students with the skills and general education background necessary for careers in public service. The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice requires up to 69 credits. The courses are aimed at providing degree seekers with exposure to the law, the court system, and social issues surrounding this field. This degree may be appropriate for students seeking entry-level employment in state corrections facilities or for students hoping to transfer to 4-year degree programs in this field.

Suffolk County Community College

Suffolk County Community College, located in Selden, has 3 campuses serving students on Long Island. The main branch is called the Ammerman campus, and it enrolls more than 14,000 students. The Associate of Science in Criminal Justice program requires the completion of up to 67.5 credits, which include courses in state and local politics and government, criminal justice, interpersonal communication, and corrections. Twenty-five units of major-specific coursework are required of students in this degree program at Suffolk, and the remainder of credits will be completed in general education classes and electives. This program is available at all 3 campuses of Suffolk Community College, and some units may also be transferable to bachelor's degree programs at 4-year schools.

SUNY Westchester Community College

SUNY Westchester Community College is located in Valhalla, and it awards certificates and associate degrees. Nearly 14,000 students are enrolled at Westchester Community College, and there is a student-to-teacher ratio of 20:1. This school offers 2 options for prospective public servants in the field of law enforcement. The Associate of Applied Science degree is offered in 2 fields: corrections or police. The corrections concentration requires a program of study that includes a minimum of 64 units, of which more than half are earned in major-specific classes. Some examples of classes include basic criminal law and procedure, probation and parole, and critical issues in corrections.

Career Requirements

The United States Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that, at minimum, a high school education is needed to work in most state correctional facilities, but for employment in federal prisons, a bachelor's degree is required. The New York Department of Corrections (NYDOC) requires corrections officer recruits to complete 280 hours of instruction over 8 weeks and, upon placement, an additional 160 hours of supervised on-the-job training; furthermore, a probationary period at the beginning of employment is typically mandated for new corrections officers working in NYDOC facilities.

Work as a corrections officer calls for good interpersonal and administrative skills, as well as an understanding of state laws, federal laws, and the criminal justice system. A degree program in criminal justice, law enforcement, or corrections may allow some students to better prepare for the New York state corrections officer exam, which is administered at various times throughout the year.