Becoming a Correctional Officer in Michigan

The Michigan State Department of Corrections requires both male and female correctional officers at the local and state levels. Applicants with a strong sense of justice, empathy, and integrity as well as a thirst for on-the-job training will find a lucrative and rewarding career in any of the state's 37 state facilities as well as in the county jail system. Currently, there are 11,251 front line correctional officers working with 43,704 incarcerated offenders; due to the demands of the role and changing needs of the corrections system across the country, the industry is poised to grow by a steady 5% until 2022. This statistic furnished by the Bureau of Labor Statistics indicates that the state of Michigan will be ramping up recruitment efforts in order to meet the forecasted demand of over 550 new roles. In addition to this trending increase, the state will have other vacant roles due to staff retirement, attrition, and career advancements. Interested in reading more about lucrative and challenging careers in corrections industry? Read on for more information.

50
Schools Analyzed
20
Schools Ranked

Top Schools Supporting Careers in Criminal Justice & Corrections

The following rankings are based on student data, published surveys, and other school and career data collected from several sources which include the following government agencies:

Data Sources

  • National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
  • The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

By obtaining our base data set from the above data sources, schools were ranked using the criteria below:

  • Schools with less than 10 total graduates per year were omitted in order to maintain statistical integrity
  • Schools must have at least 1 graduate in the field of criminal justice
  • Only 4-year, 2-year, and technical public and private non-profit schools were included

Schools were sorted in order of the highest percentage of total students graduating with a degree in the field of criminal justice (CIPCODES: 43.0102, 43.0110, 43.0113, 43.0103, 43.0104, 43.0107, 43.0109, 43.0111, 43.0112, 43.0199).

1

Lake Superior State University

650 W Easterday Ave, Sault Ste Marie, MI 49783

Lake Superior State University ranks 1st in our latest rankings with ninety-two students completing programs in corrections and law enforcement administration out of a total a thousand students.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 7.41%
  • Program Graduates: 92
  • Total Graduates: 1,242
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Criminalistics And Criminal Science

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 4-year
  • Website: lssu.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
2

Olivet College

320 South Main Street, Olivet, MI 49076

Olivet College ranks second in our latest rankings with thirty-four students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total 480 graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 7.08%
  • Program Graduates: 34
  • Total Graduates: 480

School Details

3

Ferris State University

1201 S State St, Big Rapids, MI 49307-2251

Ferris State University ranks 3rd in our latest rankings with 452 students completing programs in criminalistics and criminal science, criminal justice, and law enforcement administration out of a total seven thousand students in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 6.11%
  • Program Graduates: 452
  • Total Graduates: 7,396
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Police Science
    • Criminalistics And Criminal Science

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 4-year
  • Website: ferris.edu
  • School Size: 10,000 - 20,000
4

Madonna University

36600 Schoolcraft Rd, Livonia, MI 48150-1176

Madonna University ranks fourth in our rankings with 148 students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total three thousand students in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.77%
  • Program Graduates: 148
  • Total Graduates: 3,104

School Details

  • School Type: Private, 4-year
  • Website: madonna.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
5

Siena Heights University

1247 E. Siena Heights Dr, Adrian, MI 49221

Siena Heights University ranks fifth in our latest rankings with 91 students graduating from programs in corrections and criminal justice out of a total a thousand graduates.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.74%
  • Program Graduates: 91
  • Total Graduates: 1,920
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Criminal Justice
    • Police Science

School Details

6

Finlandia University

601 Quincy St, Hancock, MI 49930-1832

Finlandia University ranks 6th in our rankings with eleven students completing programs in criminal justice and corrections out of a total 254 students.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.33%
  • Program Graduates: 11
  • Total Graduates: 254
  • Programs:
    • Police Science
    • Corrections

School Details

  • School Type: Private, 4-year
  • Website: finlandia.edu
  • School Size: Less than 1,000
7

West Shore Community College

3000 N Stiles Rd, Scottville, MI 49454-0277

West Shore Community College ranks 7th in our rankings with 18 students graduating from programs in criminal justice and corrections out of a total 418 students in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.31%
  • Program Graduates: 18
  • Total Graduates: 418
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Police Science

School Details

8

Adrian College

110 S Madison St, Adrian, MI 49221-2575

Adrian College ranks eighth in our rankings with 22 students graduating from programs in law enforcement administration, criminal justice, and corrections administration out of a total 576 students in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 3.82%
  • Program Graduates: 22
  • Total Graduates: 576
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Police Science
    • Corrections Administration

School Details

  • School Type: Private, 4-year
  • Website: adrian.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
9

Northern Michigan University

1401 Presque Isle Avenue, Marquette, MI 49855

Northern Michigan University ranks 9th in our rankings with 127 students graduating from programs in law enforcement administration, criminal justice, and security and loss prevention services out of a total 3,728 students.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 3.41%
  • Program Graduates: 127
  • Total Graduates: 3,728
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Criminal Justice
    • Security And Loss Prevention Services

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 4-year
  • Website: nmu.edu
  • School Size: 5,000 - 10,000
10

Alpena Community College

665 Johnson St, Alpena, MI 49707

Alpena Community College ranks 10th in our latest rankings with twenty-six students graduating from programs in criminal justice and corrections out of a total 764 graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 3.40%
  • Program Graduates: 26
  • Total Graduates: 764
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Police Science

School Details

11

Baker College of Port Huron

3403 Lapeer Road, Port Huron, MI 48060

Baker College is located close to the Bluewater Bridge in Port Huron, Michigan. Founded in 1911, Baker College prides itself on being an excellent resource for students who want training for today's most relevant career options, at the certificate, associate's and bachelor's degree levels. Baker College's Criminal Justice department has a range of programming to teach students who are interested in preventing and reducing criminal behavior. Students who graduate from this program

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 3.02%
  • Program Graduates: 15
  • Total Graduates: 496

School Details

  • School Type: Private, 4-year
  • Website: baker.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
12

Delta College

1961 Delta Road, University Center, MI 48710

Founded in 1961, Delta College is located in University Center, Michigan. Enrollment hovers around 15,000 students at this public, 2-year college; students choose from a range of certification and degree programs. Among the programs offered are Delta's rigorous corrections and juvenile corrections programs. Students looking to qualify for the corrections recruitment processed are encouraged to contact Delta's Criminal Justice Corrections faculty for more information.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 2.98%
  • Program Graduates: 141
  • Total Graduates: 4,730
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Police Science
    • Security And Loss Prevention Services
    • Juvenile Corrections

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: delta.edu
  • School Size: 10,000 - 20,000
13

Schoolcraft College

18600 Haggerty Road, Livonia, MI 48152-2696

Schoolcraft College ranks thirteenth in our rankings with 127 students graduating from programs in criminal justice out of a total four thousand graduates.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 2.94%
  • Program Graduates: 127
  • Total Graduates: 4,326

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: schoolcraft.edu
  • School Size: 10,000 - 20,000
14

Grand Rapids Community College

143 Bostwick Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3295

Since 1914, Grand Rapids Community College has been a fixture in the city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. With a student body of over 15,000, the college offers a variety of certificate and degree programming to meet the needs of today's students. GRCC has a comprehensive Criminal Justice Department; students pursuing a career in corrections would do well to contact the department directly for information regarding course options and career paths leading to correctional officer status.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 2.82%
  • Program Graduates: 107
  • Total Graduates: 3,792
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Police Science
    • Juvenile Corrections

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: grcc.edu
  • School Size: 10,000 - 20,000
15

Henry Ford Community College

5101 Evergreen Rd, Dearborn, MI 48128-1495

With 13,000 students, Henry Ford College is a notable institution in the city of Dearborn, Michigan. A public 2-year college, HFC offers a variety of certification and associate's degrees to prepare students for further educational opportunities or for entry into the career of their choice. Students interested in pursuing a career as a correctional officer should note that HFC's corrections program can be used either to entry the recruitment process directly or to pursue further education in the criminal justice field.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 2.82%
  • Program Graduates: 95
  • Total Graduates: 3,366
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Law Enforcement Administration

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: hfcc.edu
  • School Size: 10,000 - 20,000
16

St Clair County Community College

323 Erie Street, Port Huron, MI 48061-5015

St Clair County Community College ranks 16th in our rankings with 37 students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total a thousand graduates from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 2.74%
  • Program Graduates: 37
  • Total Graduates: 1,350

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: sc4.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
17

Saginaw Valley State University

7400 Bay Rd, University Center, MI 48710

Saginaw Valley State University ranks 17th in our latest rankings with 96 students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total three thousand graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 2.56%
  • Program Graduates: 96
  • Total Graduates: 3,744

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 4-year
  • Website: svsu.edu
  • School Size: 10,000 - 20,000
18

Bay de Noc Community College

2001 N Lincoln Road, Escanaba, MI 49829-2511

Bay de Noc Community College ranks 18th in our rankings with twenty-four students completing programs in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration out of a total 980 graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 2.45%
  • Program Graduates: 24
  • Total Graduates: 980
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Criminal Justice
    • Police Science

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: baycollege.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
19

Bay Mills Community College

12214 W Lakeshore Dr, Brimley, MI 49715

Bay Mills Community College ranks 19th in our rankings with two students graduating from programs in corrections out of a total eighty-six graduates.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 2.33%
  • Program Graduates: 2
  • Total Graduates: 86

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: bmcc.edu
  • School Size: Less than 1,000
20

North Central Michigan College

1515 Howard St, Petoskey, MI 49770

North Central Michigan College ranks 20th in our latest rankings with 15 students completing programs in criminal justice, corrections, and law enforcement administration out of a total 698 students.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 2.15%
  • Program Graduates: 15
  • Total Graduates: 698
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Police Science

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: ncmich.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000

Continued List of All Criminal Jusitice Programs in Michigan

ProgramWebsite

Gogebic Community College

E4946 Jackson Rd, Ironwood, MI 49938
Phone: (906) 932-4231 x0

Oakland Community College

2480 Opdyke Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304-2266
Phone: (248) 341-2000

Jackson College

2111 Emmons Rd, Jackson, MI 49201-8399
Phone: (517) 787-0800

Mott Community College

1401 E Court St, Flint, MI 48503-2089
Phone: (810) 762-0200

Kirtland Community College

10775 N Saint Helen Road, Roscommon, MI 48653
Phone: (989) 275-5000

Muskegon Community College

221 S Quarterline Rd, Muskegon, MI 49442-1432
Phone: (231) 773-9131

Monroe County Community College

1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, MI 48161-9746
Phone: (734) 242-7300

Baker College of Cadillac

9600 E 13th St, Cadillac, MI 49601-9600
Phone: (231) 876-3101

Grand Valley State University

1 Campus Dr, Allendale, MI 49401-9403
Phone: (616) 331-2020

Wayne County Community College District

801 W. Fort Street, Detroit, MI 48226
Phone: (313) 496-2600

Baker College of Flint

1050 West Bristol Road, Flint, MI 48507-5508
Phone: (810) 766-4000

University of Michigan-Dearborn

4901 Evergreen Rd, Dearborn, MI 48128-1491
Phone: (313) 593-5000

Concordia University Ann Arbor

4090 Geddes Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105
Phone: (734) 995-7300

Western Michigan University

1903 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5200
Phone: (269) 387-1000

Kellogg Community College

450 North Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49017-3397
Phone: (269) 965-3931

Montcalm Community College

2800 College Dr, Sidney, MI 48885-9723
Phone: (989) 328-2111

Wayne State University

656 West Kirby Street, Detroit, MI 48202
Phone: (313) 577-2424

Macomb Community College

14500 E Twelve Mile Rd, Warren, MI 48088-3896
Phone: (586) 445-7999

Michigan State University

Address Unknown, East Lansing, MI 48824-1046
Phone: (517) 355-1855

Lansing Community College

419 N Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI 48901-7210
Phone: (517) 483-1957

Washtenaw Community College

4800 E Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-4800
Phone: (734) 973-3543

Mid Michigan Community College

1375 S Clare Ave, Harrison, MI 48625-9447
Phone: (989) 386-6622

University of Michigan-Flint

303 E. Kearsley Street, Flint, MI 48502-1950
Phone: (810) 762-3000

Lake Michigan College

2755 East Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI 49022-1899
Phone: (269) 927-8100

University of Detroit Mercy

4001 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48221-3038
Phone: (313) 993-1000

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

6767 West O Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4070
Phone: (269) 488-4100

Marygrove College

8425 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48221-2599
Phone: (313) 927-1200

Davenport University

6191 Kraft Avenue S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49512-9396
Phone: (616) 698-7111

Northwestern Michigan College

1701 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686
Phone: (231) 995-1000

Spring Arbor University

106 E. Main St, Spring Arbor, MI 49283-9799
Phone: (517) 750-1200

Michigan Correctional Officer Certification Requirements

The Department of Corrections in Michigan is continually advertising for qualified men and women to fulfill the role of corrections officer. This is a challenging position and thus the state government is committed to ensuring that only those candidates who meet or exceed all requirements should be awarded with positions. The process begins with eligibility requirements to determine if a candidate can even apply. Candidates should be ready to submit:

  • A complete and accurate application
  • Proof of age
  • No felony convictions
  • Proof of U.S. citizenship or legal resident alien status
  • Valid Michigan driver's license
  • Proof of military honorable discharge
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Fluent in all aspects of the English language

Having met the above eligibility criteria, candidates may prepare themselves for more rigorous assessments, designed to determine if a candidate is physically and mentally able to fill the role of corrections officer. They are as follows:

  • Physical agility test
  • Physical assessment
  • Mental health assessment
  • Fingerprinting
  • Written test of knowledge
  • Background check regarding personal, education, work and military experience

Candidates who have passed the assessments may be offered conditional employment based on a satisfactory training experience. Basic training entails teaching new hires a variety of practical skills, policies and procedures, as well as improving personal fitness goals in order to be well-prepared for their new job. Only candidates who pass basic training will be considered ready for a position.

Michigan Department of Corrections

206 E. Michigan Ave
Lansing, MI 48909
Phone: (517) 335-1426
http://www.michigan.gov/corrections

Michigan Correctional Officer Employment & Outlook

Correctional Officer Salary: Michigan vs National Salary Comparison

Source: BLS State Cross-Industry Estimates 2011

Michigan's State Department of Justice is committed to ensuring growth and development for the state's correctional officers. Median income for this role throughout the state is $53,700 compared to the national median income level of $39,800. According to the employment profile for the state, published by CareerInfoNet.org at http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&Level=&optstatus=011000000&jobfam=33&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=333012&menuMode=&stfips=26&x=0&y=0 state and national trends predict a 5% increase in correctional jobs by the year 2022. In the state of Michigan, this nets a positive growth curve in from year to year, both in newly created vacancies and in vacancies from senior officers who advance or retire.

Occupational Employment Statistics for Correctional Officers (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333012.htm)

Michigan Correctional Officer Salaries By Area

The table below lists career information collected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics for correctional officers in Michigan. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.

AreaTotal EmploymentAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Warren, Troy, Farmington Hills1,280$25.51$53,050
Grand Rapids, Wyoming1,130$25.47$52,990
Ann Arbor630$25.29$52,600
Detroit, Livonia, Dearborn540$22.29$46,360
Lansing, East Lansing300$20.43$42,490
Holland, Grand Haven90$22.45$46,690
Kalamazoo, Portage90$21.41$44,540