Juvenile Corrections

Juvenile Corrections Degrees

Juvenile corrections officers, just like traditional corrections officers, are responsible for overseeing correctional facilities and the individuals they detain. Juvenile corrections officers, however, work specifically with offenders who are under the age of 18. This requires juvenile corrections officers to have a specialized set of skills.

Minors can become incarcerated for many different reasons. Some may be criminal offenders, but others might have mental health issues or were abandoned by their legal guardians. Because of this, a juvenile corrections officer must act as both an authority figure and a mentor to the juveniles they work with.

A career in juvenile corrections is best suited for those who want to make a difference in the lives of minors. To work as a juvenile corrections officer, you must at least have a high school diploma. Most agencies, however, require employees to have an associate’s degree or higher. Those who acquire college degrees are eligible to work for federal institutions and also stand a greater chance for job opportunities, promotions, and higher wages.

Juvenile corrections degree programs will train students to understand and work with minors specifically. Students will focus on corrections, juvenile delinquency, juvenile development, adolescent psychology, and law. Coursework will also cover law and ethics, correctional and juvenile justice interventions, behavior management, and substance abuse control. Graduates of a juvenile corrections degree program will have an understanding of the sensitivity, awareness, knowledge, and skills needed to work with children who have been brought into the juvenile justice system.

Graduates of a juvenile corrections degree program could find work as social workers, corrections officers, jailers, probation officers, and juvenile life skills teachers to name a few. Juvenile corrections degree holders often focus on reducing juvenile crime by developing programs for at-risk youth and youth offenders. They are able to act as both authority figures and mentors to the youth in need.

Job Outlook for Juvenile Corrections Officers

The U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that juvenile corrections officers earn about $33,600 a year. Senior management and executive positions have been reported to earn salaries of $58,000 or more.

Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-2009 Edition