Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other.: The DTI for this program is 65.7%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $35142) to the average debt ($23099) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 65.7%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($35142) against the typical student debt ($23099), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
Wondering if Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other. is right for you? This degree is designed for students who want both knowledge and practical experience. Most graduates see starting salaries near $35142, and the average student debt is $23099, with a debt-to-income ratio of 0.66—which is typical for many fields.
With an annual graduating class of 103302 students, you’ll be part of a dynamic student body. Whether you’re looking for upward mobility, a chance to innovate, or a degree that’s respected in the job market, Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other. delivers. Take advantage of every resource your school offers to maximize your success!
Degree Overview
Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other (CIP 43.0199) is a broad public service and social systems field focused on understanding, managing, and improving correctional institutions, justice processes, and community safety systems. This classification includes specialized or interdisciplinary programs that do not fit neatly into traditional criminal justice, law enforcement, or corrections categories. Instead, it allows institutions to design degrees that address emerging challenges such as rehabilitation, reentry, restorative justice, policy reform, and the intersection of criminal justice with mental health, sociology, and public administration.
For a degree search site, Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other represents real-world impact and civic responsibility. The criminal justice system touches courts, prisons, probation, parole, community programs, and public policy. As societies rethink punishment, rehabilitation, and public safety, there is growing demand for professionals who understand the system as a whole—not just enforcement, but prevention, ethics, human rights, and reform. This degree appeals to students who want a career centered on justice, accountability, and improving complex public systems.
What Is a Corrections and Criminal Justice Degree?
A Corrections and Criminal Justice degree is an academic and applied program that examines how criminal justice systems operate, how correctional institutions function, and how laws and policies affect individuals and communities. Programs under the “Other” designation often emphasize customized or emerging areas such as:
- Correctional administration and leadership
- Rehabilitation and reentry programs
- Community corrections and alternatives to incarceration
- Criminal justice policy and reform
- Restorative justice and victim services
- Mental health and substance abuse within justice systems
Rather than focusing only on policing or courts, this degree emphasizes:
- The structure and purpose of correctional systems
- Legal and ethical foundations of punishment and rehabilitation
- Human behavior within institutional settings
- Policy analysis and system-level thinking
- Practical skills for justice-related careers
Colleges and universities offer this degree to:
- Prepare students for corrections, justice, and public service roles
- Address workforce needs in correctional and community systems
- Support interdisciplinary approaches to crime and rehabilitation
- Provide a foundation for graduate study or leadership roles
This degree often blends theory, policy, and applied practice.
What Will You Learn?
Students learn how criminal justice systems are designed, how they function in practice, and how they affect individuals and society. You’ll study crime causes, correctional philosophies, legal frameworks, and ethical challenges while developing skills to work effectively within justice-related organizations.
The curriculum emphasizes critical analysis of real-world systems rather than sensationalized views of crime.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Graduates typically develop skills such as:
- Understanding criminal justice systems—courts, corrections, and community programs
- Policy and legal analysis—interpreting laws and regulations
- Ethical reasoning—balancing rights, safety, and accountability
- Case management and documentation—working with justice-involved individuals
- Communication and conflict resolution—managing tense situations
- Cultural and social awareness—working with diverse populations
- Critical thinking—evaluating justice practices and outcomes
- Professional decision-making—acting responsibly under pressure
These skills are valuable across corrections, social services, and public administration.
Topics You May Explore
Because this is an “Other” classification, coursework varies by institution, but commonly includes:
- Introduction to Criminal Justice: system structure and roles
- Corrections and Penology: prisons, jails, and correctional philosophy
- Community Corrections: probation, parole, and alternatives
- Criminal Law and Procedure: legal foundations of justice
- Ethics and Human Rights: justice system accountability
- Rehabilitation and Reentry Programs: reducing recidivism
- Juvenile Justice or Specialized Populations: youth and vulnerable groups
- Mental Health and Substance Abuse: treatment within justice systems
- Criminal Justice Policy and Reform: system evaluation and change
Many programs include internships with correctional facilities, courts, or community organizations.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
A Corrections and Criminal Justice degree prepares students for a range of justice-related and public service careers. Career outcomes depend on role, agency, and additional training.
Common career paths include:
- Correctional Officer or Supervisor: facility operations and safety
- Probation or Parole Officer: community supervision roles
- Case Manager or Reentry Specialist: rehabilitation and support services
- Correctional Counselor or Program Coordinator: inmate services
- Criminal Justice or Policy Analyst: system evaluation and research
- Victim Services or Advocacy Specialist: support and outreach
- Juvenile Justice Worker: youth-focused justice roles
- Graduate School Path: criminal justice, public administration, law, or social work
Some roles require background checks, certifications, or additional training.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates work in organizations tied to justice and public safety:
- Correctional facilities and detention centers
- Probation, parole, and community corrections agencies
- Courts and judicial support offices
- Government and public administration agencies
- Nonprofit and community-based justice organizations
- Reentry, rehabilitation, and treatment programs
- Policy institutes and research organizations
Corrections professionals often collaborate with social workers, mental health professionals, and legal staff.
How Much Can You Earn?
Earnings vary by role, location, and level of responsibility.
Typical ranges include:
- Entry-level corrections or justice roles: often $40,000–$55,000
- Probation officers, supervisors, or analysts: commonly $55,000–$75,000
- Senior administrators or specialized roles: can reach $80,000–$100,000+
Government benefits and job stability are often significant components of compensation.
Is This Degree Hard?
Corrections and Criminal Justice is considered moderately to highly challenging. Academically, students must master legal concepts, policy analysis, and ethical reasoning. Professionally, the work can be emotionally demanding and requires resilience, judgment, and strong boundaries.
The challenge lies in balancing public safety, individual rights, and human compassion within complex systems.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a strong fit if you:
- Are interested in justice, law, and public service
- Want to work in corrections or rehabilitation
- Care about ethics, fairness, and system reform
- Are comfortable with responsibility and structure
- Prefer meaningful, community-impact careers
How to Prepare in High School
To prepare for a corrections or criminal justice program:
- Take government, history, psychology, and social science courses
- Develop strong reading, writing, and critical thinking skills
- Learn about law, ethics, and civic responsibility
- Participate in community service or leadership activities
- Build emotional maturity and conflict-management skills
Corrections and Criminal Justice, Other (CIP 43.0199) is a degree for students who want to work inside one of society’s most complex and consequential systems. It offers a grounded understanding of corrections, law, and human behavior—preparing graduates to contribute to safer communities, fairer justice processes, and more effective rehabilitation. For those motivated by service, accountability, and meaningful reform, this degree provides both purpose and long-term career opportunity.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor