Corrections offers many exciting career opportunities at the state, local and federal levels. Local corrections involves working as a correctional officer or deputy within a county sheriff’s department. Requirements for this position differ for each county. Some require applicants to complete the Michigan Sheriff’s Coordinating and Training Council (MSCTC) Local Correctional Academy, while others do not.
State correctional officers are employed by the State of Michigan and work with the Michigan Department of Corrections at various prisons throughout the state. These positions require a minimum of 15 college credits in a criminal justice related field, including corrections, criminal justice, family relations, guidance and counseling, law enforcement, pastoral counseling, psychology, social work or sociology.
KCC offers an Associate in Applied Science degree in Corrections and a Corrections Certificate. The sequence of classes recommended for full-time students seeking each credential follows.
For more information about KCC’s Corrections Program, see:
- Our program maps outlining credential course requirements by semester
- KCC’s latest Academic Catalog
- The Criminal Justice (CRJU) course descriptions page
- Information about corrections careers
- Information about why you should study corrections at KCC
Associate in Applied Science: Corrections
KCC’s Associate in Applied Science in Corrections curriculum is designed for career entry and/or advancement with corrections agencies at the federal, state and local levels.
- View KCC’s 2019 – 2020 Corrections Degree Advising Guide for more information.
| Fall 1 | Spring 1 | Fall 2 | Spring 2 |
|---|---|---|---|
| COMM 101: Interpersonal Communications* or COMM 207: Public Speaking* |
CRJU 131: Institutional Corrections |
CRJU 132: Client Development & Understanding |
CRJU 201: Criminal Investigations |
| CRJU 101: Introduction to Criminal Justice |
CRJU 133: Client Relations in Corrections |
CRJU 204: Criminal Procedures |
CRJU 202: Criminal Law |
| CRJU 130: Introduction to Corrections |
PSYC 201: Introduction to Psychology* |
MATH 115: Math for Liberal Arts* or GEOG 100: Physical Geography* |
CRJU 203: Crime & Delinquency |
| ENGL 151: Freshman Composition* |
SOCI 201: Introduction to Sociology* |
PEHL 140: Healthy Lifestyle Practicesº |
CRJU 210: Criminal Justice Practicum |
| HUMA 151: Encounter with the Arts* |
SERV 200: Service Learning* |
CRJU 221: Ethical Problem Solving in Policing |
*Courses indicated fulfill requirements for the Michigan Transfer Agreement (MTA), which provides for the transferability of up to 30 credit hours to meet General Education Requirements at participating Michigan colleges and universities. For more information about the MTA, visit www.kellogg.edu/macrao.
º Completion of basic training for any branch of the military will meet this requirement. A valid DD-214 must be submitted to the Records and Registration Department.
Credits for Prior Experience
KCC Corrections students who have successfully completed the 320-hour MDOC basic recruit school or the 160-hour MSCTC Local Correctional Academy may be awarded between 10 and 20 college credits for their experience. The credits can be applied toward KCC’s Associate in Applied Science in Corrections degree or the Associate in Criminal Justice degree. Students interested in pursuing this option should contact Criminal Justice Director Rob Miller at millerro@kellogg.edu.
MDOC Experience
KCC recognizes that the Michigan Department of Corrections provides 320 hours of training for the Custody New Employee Training. Those who have successfully completed the MDOC academy, along with 320 hours of supervised on-the-job training, may qualify for up the 20 college credits at KCC. The credits would be applied to CRJU 210: Criminal Justice Practicum, CRJU 211: Criminal Justice Practicum and up to 14 credits of general CRJU electives. Click here for information about the DeMarse Transfer Policy.
MSCTC Local Correctional Academy Experience
Those who have successfully completed the Michigan Sheriff’s Coordinating and Training Council’s 160-hour Local Correctional Academy may qualify for 10 CRJU elective credits at KCC. Click here for more information.
Corrections Certificate
KCC’s Corrections Certificate curriculum is designed for students planning careers in corrections and for correctional officers who are interested in furthering their education. The curriculum complies with the Michigan Correctional Officers’ Training Council’s credit-hour requirement for employment as a correctional officer in Michigan. Credits earned may also be applied toward KCC’s Associate in Applied Science degree in Corrections.
The Corrections Certificate can be completed in 1-2 semesters. Students must complete 16 credits by following the options below. A cumulative GPA of 2.0 (“C” or 73%) or better is required to obtain the Corrections Certificate. Completion of this certificate program meets the required courses to write the civil service exam for the Michigan Department of Corrections.
| Required Courses | |
|---|---|
| Choose at least one of the following courses: | |
| Course | Semesters Offered |
| CRJU 130: Introduction to Corrections | Fall Only |
| CRJU 131: Institutional Corrections | Spring Only |
| CRJU 132: Client Development & Understanding | Fall Only |
| CRJU 133: Client Relations in Corrections | Spring Only |
| Additional Courses | |
|---|---|
| Choose 12 credits from the following courses to total 16 credits | |
| Course | Semesters Offered |
| CRJU 101: Introduction to Criminal Justice | Fall, Spring |
| CRJU 130: Introduction to Corrections | Fall Only |
| CRJU 131: Institutional Corrections | Spring Only |
| CRJU 132: Client Development & Understanding | Fall Only |
| CRJU 133: Client Relations in Corrections | Spring Only |
| CRJU 201: Criminal Investigations | Fall, Spring |
| CRJU 202: Criminal Law | Fall, Spring |
| CRJU 203: Crime & Delinquency | Fall, Spring |
| CRJU 204: Criminal Procedures | Fall Only |
| CRJU 221: Ethical Problem Solving | Fall, Spring |
| PSYC 201: Introduction to Psychology | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| SOCI 201: Introduction to Psychology | Fall, Spring, Summer |
| SOCI 202: Social Problems | Fall, Spring, Summer |
Transfer Opportunities
Click here to view Transfer Guides outlining opportunities for students looking to transfer their KCC credits to a four-year institution. Contact our Academic Advising team at 269-965-4124 or advising@kellogg.edu to schedule an appointment to plot a personal transfer plan.
Corrections Careers
Students completing the KCC’s Associate in Applied Science in Corrections degree will become eligible to become a corrections officer for a local sheriff’s department or a corrections officer with the Michigan Department of Corrections.
Possible job areas/titles for graduates with an education in corrections include:
- Community corrections
- Correctional officer
- Deputy sheriff – jail
- First-line supervisors or correctional officers
Local Sheriff’s Department
Corrections students interested in working with a local sheriff’s department should contact the agency they wish to apply to and ask for their application requirements.
Michigan Department of Corrections
Corrections students interested in working for the Michigan Department of Corrections can find applications online at www.michigan.gov/statejobs MDOC. More information is also available by calling the main recruitment line at 517-335-6711 or by emailing corrcrtmnt@michigan.gov.
Projected Job Outlook & Salary Info
For the latest employment and wage estimates for corrections careers in Michigan, visit the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics website at www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_mi.htm.
Why Study Corrections at KCC?
KCC’s Corrections Program instructors have had a lifetime of experience in the correctional field. They are highly knowledgeable in the skills needed to become a corrections officer, as well as in the steps needed to successfully apply for a corrections position.
