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.
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).
Lake Superior State University
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.
Olivet College
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.
Ferris State University
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.
Madonna University
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.
Siena Heights University
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.
Finlandia University
Finlandia University ranks 6th in our rankings with eleven students completing programs in criminal justice and corrections out of a total 254 students.
West Shore Community College
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.
Adrian College
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.
Northern Michigan University
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.
Alpena Community College
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.
Baker College of Port Huron
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
Delta College
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.
Schoolcraft College
Schoolcraft College ranks thirteenth in our rankings with 127 students graduating from programs in criminal justice out of a total four thousand graduates.
Grand Rapids Community College
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.
Henry Ford Community College
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.
St Clair County Community College
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.
Saginaw Valley State University
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.
Bay de Noc Community College
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.
Bay Mills Community College
Bay Mills Community College ranks 19th in our rankings with two students graduating from programs in corrections out of a total eighty-six graduates.
North Central Michigan College
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.
Continued List of All Criminal Jusitice Programs in Michigan
Program | Website |
---|---|
Gogebic Community College E4946 Jackson Rd, Ironwood, MI 49938 Phone: (906) 932-4231 x0 | gogebic.edu |
Oakland Community College 2480 Opdyke Rd, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48304-2266 Phone: (248) 341-2000 | catalog.oaklandcc.edu |
Jackson College 2111 Emmons Rd, Jackson, MI 49201-8399 Phone: (517) 787-0800 | jccmi.edu |
Mott Community College 1401 E Court St, Flint, MI 48503-2089 Phone: (810) 762-0200 | mcc.edu |
Kirtland Community College 10775 N Saint Helen Road, Roscommon, MI 48653 Phone: (989) 275-5000 | kirtland.edu |
Muskegon Community College 221 S Quarterline Rd, Muskegon, MI 49442-1432 Phone: (231) 773-9131 | muskegoncc.edu |
Monroe County Community College 1555 South Raisinville Road, Monroe, MI 48161-9746 Phone: (734) 242-7300 | monroeccc.edu |
Baker College of Cadillac 9600 E 13th St, Cadillac, MI 49601-9600 Phone: (231) 876-3101 | baker.edu |
Grand Valley State University 1 Campus Dr, Allendale, MI 49401-9403 Phone: (616) 331-2020 | gvsu.edu |
Wayne County Community College District 801 W. Fort Street, Detroit, MI 48226 Phone: (313) 496-2600 | wcccd.edu |
Baker College of Flint 1050 West Bristol Road, Flint, MI 48507-5508 Phone: (810) 766-4000 | baker.edu |
University of Michigan-Dearborn 4901 Evergreen Rd, Dearborn, MI 48128-1491 Phone: (313) 593-5000 | umdearborn.edu |
Concordia University Ann Arbor 4090 Geddes Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48105 Phone: (734) 995-7300 | cuaa.edu |
Western Michigan University 1903 West Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5200 Phone: (269) 387-1000 | wmich.edu |
Kellogg Community College 450 North Ave, Battle Creek, MI 49017-3397 Phone: (269) 965-3931 | kellogg.edu |
Montcalm Community College 2800 College Dr, Sidney, MI 48885-9723 Phone: (989) 328-2111 | montcalm.edu |
Wayne State University 656 West Kirby Street, Detroit, MI 48202 Phone: (313) 577-2424 | clas.wayne.edu |
Macomb Community College 14500 E Twelve Mile Rd, Warren, MI 48088-3896 Phone: (586) 445-7999 | macomb.edu |
Michigan State University Address Unknown, East Lansing, MI 48824-1046 Phone: (517) 355-1855 | cj.msu.edu |
Lansing Community College 419 N Capitol Ave, Lansing, MI 48901-7210 Phone: (517) 483-1957 | lcc.edu |
Washtenaw Community College 4800 E Huron River Dr, Ann Arbor, MI 48105-4800 Phone: (734) 973-3543 | wccnet.edu |
Mid Michigan Community College 1375 S Clare Ave, Harrison, MI 48625-9447 Phone: (989) 386-6622 | midmich.edu |
University of Michigan-Flint 303 E. Kearsley Street, Flint, MI 48502-1950 Phone: (810) 762-3000 | catalog.umflint.edu |
Lake Michigan College 2755 East Napier Avenue, Benton Harbor, MI 49022-1899 Phone: (269) 927-8100 | lakemichigancollege.edu |
University of Detroit Mercy 4001 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48221-3038 Phone: (313) 993-1000 | liberalarts.udmercy.edu |
Kalamazoo Valley Community College 6767 West O Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49003-4070 Phone: (269) 488-4100 | kvccgrovescenter.com |
Marygrove College 8425 W McNichols Rd, Detroit, MI 48221-2599 Phone: (313) 927-1200 | marygrove.edu |
Davenport University 6191 Kraft Avenue S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49512-9396 Phone: (616) 698-7111 | davenport.edu |
Northwestern Michigan College 1701 E Front St, Traverse City, MI 49686 Phone: (231) 995-1000 | nmc.edu |
Spring Arbor University 106 E. Main St, Spring Arbor, MI 49283-9799 Phone: (517) 750-1200 | arbor.edu |
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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.
Area | Total Employment | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
---|---|---|---|
Warren, Troy, Farmington Hills | 1,280 | $25.51 | $53,050 |
Grand Rapids, Wyoming | 1,130 | $25.47 | $52,990 |
Ann Arbor | 630 | $25.29 | $52,600 |
Detroit, Livonia, Dearborn | 540 | $22.29 | $46,360 |
Lansing, East Lansing | 300 | $20.43 | $42,490 |
Holland, Grand Haven | 90 | $22.45 | $46,690 |
Kalamazoo, Portage | 90 | $21.41 | $44,540 |