Correctional Probation Officers: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of correctional probation officers about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for correctional probation officers to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of correctional probation officers expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for correctional probation officers.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Correctional Probation Officers?
Do correctional probation officers need a degree? What kind of experience do correctional probation officers typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for correctional probation officers to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Correctional Probation Officers
Jobs Postings for Correctional Probation Officers By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 7,665 (48%)
- High School or GED: 3,543 (22%)
- No Education Listed: 2,389 (15%)
- Master's degree: 1,875 (12%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 446 (3%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of correctional probation officers. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 48% of positions. In 22% of job listings a High School diploma or GED was required and in 15% of postings no education level was listed.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Correctional Probation Officers
Jobs Postings for Correctional Probation Officers By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 1,922 (27%)
- 2-3 Years: 3,133 (45%)
- 4-6 Years: 1,710 (24%)
- 7-9 Years: 125 (2%)
- 10+ Years: 106 (2%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for correctional probation officers. In 45% of job postings for Correctional Probation Officers, employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience. In 27% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 24% of job postings for correctional probation officers.
What Kind of Degree Do Correctional Probation Officers Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for correctional probation officers, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 6 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective correctional probation officers, and in 2023 a total of 148,765 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective correctional probation officers.
Top Degree Programs for Correctional Probation Officers
Top 5 Degree Programs for Correctional Probation Officers (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Social Work. | 58,001 |
| Criminal Justice/Safety Studies. | 43,663 |
| Sociology, General. | 33,034 |
| Criminology. | 10,562 |
| Corrections. | 3,449 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Social Work. | 58,001 |
| Criminal Justice/Safety Studies. | 43,663 |
| Sociology, General. | 33,034 |
| Criminology. | 10,562 |
| Corrections. | 3,449 |
| Juvenile Corrections. | 56 |
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Degree Options for Correctional Probation Officers
Maintain social order and earn credentials for a leadership role in police, corrections, security, or court administration.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Acquire specialized knowledge while developing a holistic view of the criminal justice system.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 6
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
Tackle critical issues facing individuals and communities with advanced leadership and management skills ideally suited for a complex criminal justice system.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Months To Complete: 14
- Placement Tests: GMAT/GRE not required for admission
What Skills Do Correctional Probation Officers Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by correctional probation officers to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for correctional probation officers, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Correctional Probation Officers
Based on 13,157 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Correctional Probation Officers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Probation | 6,432 | 49% |
| Social Work | 5,601 | 43% |
| Psychology | 4,185 | 32% |
| Criminal Corrections | 3,958 | 30% |
| Case Management | 3,295 | 25% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Correctional Probation Officers
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 5,095 | 39% |
| Management | 3,711 | 28% |
| Investigation | 3,610 | 27% |
| Writing | 2,755 | 21% |
| Planning | 2,698 | 21% |
Based on 13,157 job postings related to correctional probation officers, probation was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 49% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for social work, psychology, criminal corrections, case management and sociology were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for correctional probation officers, followed by management, investigation, writing, planning and operations.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Probation | 6,432 | 49% |
| Social Work | 5,601 | 43% |
| Psychology | 4,185 | 32% |
| Criminal Corrections | 3,958 | 30% |
| Case Management | 3,295 | 25% |
| Sociology | 3,094 | 24% |
| Law Enforcement | 2,805 | 21% |
| Juvenile Justice | 2,687 | 20% |
| Legal Hearings | 2,561 | 19% |
| Mental Health | 2,338 | 18% |
| Substance Abuse | 1,828 | 14% |
| Rehabilitation | 1,801 | 14% |
| Human Services | 1,772 | 13% |
| Behavioral Science | 1,663 | 13% |
| Risk Analysis | 1,307 | 10% |
| Social Sciences | 1,305 | 10% |
| Criminology | 1,300 | 10% |
| Treatment Planning | 1,284 | 10% |
| Crisis Intervention | 1,278 | 10% |
| Juvenile Delinquency | 1,164 | 9% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 5,095 | 39% |
| Management | 3,711 | 28% |
| Investigation | 3,610 | 27% |
| Writing | 2,755 | 21% |
| Planning | 2,698 | 21% |
| Operations | 2,291 | 17% |
| Coordinating | 2,057 | 16% |
| Report Writing | 1,940 | 15% |
| Problem Solving | 1,470 | 11% |
| Clerical Works | 1,225 | 9% |
| Research | 1,200 | 9% |
| Time Management | 1,196 | 9% |
| Leadership | 1,181 | 9% |
| Customer Service | 1,134 | 9% |
| Accountability | 1,118 | 8% |
| Information Gathering | 1,069 | 8% |
| Filing | 985 | 7% |
| Scheduling | 953 | 7% |
| Decision Making | 936 | 7% |
| Administrative Functions | 935 | 7% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about correctional probation officers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for correctional probation officers.
What do correctional probation officers do?
How much do correctional probation officers make?
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