Parole Officers: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of parole 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 parole 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 parole 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 parole officers.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Parole Officers?
Do parole officers need a degree? What kind of experience do parole 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 parole officers to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Parole Officers
Jobs Postings for Parole 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 parole 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 Parole Officers
Jobs Postings for Parole 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 parole officers. In 45% of job postings for Parole 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 parole officers.
What Kind of Degree Do Parole Officers Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for parole 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 parole 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 parole officers.
Top Degree Programs for Parole Officers
Top 5 Degree Programs for Parole 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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Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Parole 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 Parole Officers Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by parole 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 parole officers, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Parole Officers
Based on 13,157 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Parole 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 Parole 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 parole 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 parole 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 parole officers? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for parole officers.
What do parole officers do?
How much do parole officers make?
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