Probation Officer
Probation Officer
Job Description
One very important law enforcement career is that of a probation officer. They act as agents for the court effectively enforcing the orders of the court making sure that offenders that are sent their way are supervised and following all of the orders of the court. If the probation officer determines that an offender is not following court orders they can send them back to the court and/or to prison.
An interesting point to make is that wherever a court can be found in the U.S. (local, County, State, or Federal) you will find at least one probation officer and usually several probation officers. Probation officers generally where civilian clothing (no uniforms) but do carry badges and normally a concealed weapon. Technically speaking, the probation officer is a peace officer and is subjected to the same certification and training requirements which we will discuss later.
A probation officer as an agent of the court could end up performing a variety of different functions as assigned by the court. This includes the traditional supervision of offenders, but also includes any investigations that the court may want them to perform in the trial stage. In other words, the offender doesn’t have to be convicted for the probation officer to investigate their personal and criminal history.
Some traits of probation officers include well above average communication skills as they will have to communicate with people of at all levels of society. They also need to have a vast knowledge of the criminal justice system as they will serve in many different roles sometimes on the behalf of a court, or the parole authority, the department of corrections, the prison bureau, or even local jails and police.
Requirements
Almost every jurisdiction will require their probation officers to have a bachelor’s degree and several will require a master’s degree or above (preferably in criminal justice or a closely related field of study). Since they are classified as peace officers they also have to attend the police academy and pass all of the same tests (civil service tests and other mental and physical exams).
Job Outlook
The job outlook for probation officers is steady to slightly growing. This trend should also continue into the future with no end in sight. Again, at a minimum every court will have at least one probation officer and given the diverse nature of the job, it is a very recession safe profession.
University of Phoenix - The University of Phoenix is the best known online education resource in the world. They offer numerous options for students looking to further a career in criminal justice: Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice Administration, B.S. in Organizational Security Management, & Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice.
Saint Leo University - Associate's, Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. Saint Leo University offers Criminal Justice degrees at all levels in order to accommodate first time undergrads, or working professionals seeking to advance in their careers. Individuals with a Criminal Justice degree could work in several areas including law enforcement, crime scene investigation, legal studies, and more.
Post University Online - Bachelor's Degree. At Post University Online, students could earn their degrees completely online, with no interference in their current careers. They offer a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree that will provide students with an understanding of the way the criminal justice and juvenile justice system works, the legal framework in which the system operates, and other concepts and skills needed for a number of criminal justice careers.
Rasmussen College - Associate's & Bachelor's Degrees. Rasmussen College is a well-respected online college that offers an intense curriculum designed to meet the growing need of professionals in the criminal justice field. Degree offerings include: A.A.S. in Criminal Justice, A.S. in Criminal Justice - Corrections, A.S. in Criminal Justice - Crime Scene Evidence, A.S. in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security, A.S. in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement, B.S. in Criminal Justice, B.S. in Criminal Justice - Client Services & Corrections, B.S. in Criminal Justice - Criminal Offenders, B.S. in Criminal Justice - Homeland Security, and B.S. in Criminal Justice - Investigations/Law Enforcement.
American Intercontinental University - With a top notch criminal justice financial aid program and military degree program, American Intercontinental University online is a top rated criminal justice college. Degree options include: B.S. in Criminal Justice: Forensic Science, B.S. in Criminal Justice: Law Enforcement, B.S. in Criminal Justice: Special Populations. Students graduating from American Intercontinental University leave the chance to impact their profession immediately with a number of career opportunities.
Boston University - Master's Degrees. Opening windows of opportunity for their diverse student population, Boston University offers a Master's degree in Criminal Justice that will prepare students to work in a variety of settings including courtrooms, correctional facilities, and many others.
LA College - Associate's Degrees. Helping students each step of the way towards their career in Criminal Justice, LA College offers an Associate's degree in Criminal Justice that will help students get their foot in the door for jobs in the law and justice field.
Herzing University - Associate's & Bachelor's Degrees. With an increase in demand for those in the criminal justice field, Herzing University has provided exemplary programs that will provide students with the knowledge and skills to obtain respected positions in their communities. They offer an Associate's and Bachelor's degree in Criminal Justice for students seeking entry to mid-level positions in the criminal justice field.
Virginia College - Associate's, Bachelor's & Master's Degrees. Virginia College offers three different degree levels in Criminal Justice for those interested in pursing a degree in the criminal justice or legal studies field. Their courses are ideal for students of any age, from those who are first-time undergrads to those who have been working in the field for years.
Everest University Online - With a career-oriented focus, Everest University Online is one of the best criminal justice programs for those looking for practical job skills that employers know and respect. Everest offers a B.S. in Criminal Justice, & M.S. in Criminal Justice.
Colorado Technical University - Colorado Technical University online is the best criminal justice college for those seeking the ability to learn from anywhere, as it is one of the top online universities in the country. Graduates will leave with an A.S. in Criminal Justice, B.S. in Criminal Justice, or a M.S. in Criminal Justice.
Liberty University - Because of top placement after graduation, Liberty University is an education center that prepares you for success. It offers a Associate's of Arts (A.S.) in Criminal Justice, and a Bachelor's of Science (B.S.) in Criminal Justice.
