Corrections Officer Degree

The Corrections Officer field of study focused on the aspects of a correctional institution including the security, health, safety, and operations. Professional correctional officers are responsible for patrolling and inspecting the myriad aspects of a correctional facility including the yard, units, buildings, cells, prisoners, clothing, and personal property. Get more details below including other Virginia colleges that offer corrections officer degrees.

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Germanna Community College (Mason)

4400 University Dr, Fairfax, VA

Germanna Community College, located in Locust Grove, was founded in 1970. In addition to the Locust Grove Campus, the school maintains locations in Fredericksburg, Stafford, and Culpeper. The school is a member of the Virginia Community College System, which operates 23 community colleges throughout the state.

GCC is named after a settlement that used to house German Miners near the Rapidian River at what is now called Germanna Ford. The school is a public two year institution that is dedicated to providing educational opportunities for residents of its service area, which includes the counties of Spotsylvania, Caroline, King George, Culpeper, Orange, Madison, and Stafford.

Academics

Germanna Community College has an enrollment of nearly 10,000 annually, and provides a large number of programs aimed at assisting them pursue academic transfer opportunities or careers through training programs. Students seeking academic transfer will complete a curriculum that mirrors the first two years of a four year education and upon completion will apply to colleges and universities.

If accepted, the student will complete the final two years and earn a bachelor's degree at their new college or university. Students applying to public state schools in Virginia will find agreements in place that ease transfer requirements if certain criteria are met. Private and out of state schools will have varying admissions requirements, and as such it is recommended students seek the aid of a counselor if they wish to transfer.

Career training programs assist individuals in pursuing long term employment through education and skill development in one of the many high demand fields available for study. Programs are taught by experienced and qualified faculty, many of whom have real world experience and supervise practical courses that give students the opportunity to train in simulated real world conditions while ensuring student safety.

Academic programs take between one and two years to complete and result in a degree or certificate that demonstrates competency and encourages employer confidence.
Programs offered include:

• Accounting
• Computer Support
• Engineering
• Paralegal
• Liberal Arts

Admissions and Financial Aid

Any individual interested in attending Germanna Community College may do so if they are a high school graduate or 18 years of age or older as per the school's open enrollment policy. Individuals must submit an application and pay all associated fees, as well as supply transcripts and test scores if available.

Select students may be required to take a placement exam prior to registration. Students are encouraged to participate in new student orientation and to meet with a counselor to discuss program enrollment.

Financial aid is available in the form of loans, grants and scholarships. Students in need of financial assistance must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Data from the FAFSA will be utilized by GCC to determine need and financial aid eligibility.  Aid must be applied for prior to each academic year and it is recommended that the application be completed in a timely fashion.

Career Options for Graduates

Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Teachers, Postsecondary

Description

Teach courses in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration. Includes both teachers primarily engaged in teaching and those who do a combination of teaching and research.

First-Line Supervisors of Correctional Officers

Description

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of correctional officers and jailers.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, first-line supervisors of correctional officers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 3.1% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 390
  • Average Hourly Rate: $35.97
  • Average Annual Salary: $74820

First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives

Description

Directly supervise and coordinate activities of members of police force.

Correctional Officers and Jailers

Description

Guard inmates in penal or rehabilitative institutions in accordance with established regulations and procedures. May guard prisoners in transit between jail, courtroom, prison, or other point. Includes deputy sheriffs and police who spend the majority of their time guarding prisoners in correctional institutions.

Career Outlook & Projections ()

According to the BLS, correctional officers and jailers employment is expected to grow at a rate of 3.7% from 2014 to 2024

Salary & Wages

• Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV Metropolitan Division
  • Total Employment: 2
  • Average Hourly Rate: $24.44
  • Average Annual Salary: $50840

Source: Job descriptions, estimated salary and wages, and projected job growth are taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).