Becoming a Correctional Officer in Arkansas

Arkansas requires well-trained corrections professionals that show dedication to public, staff and inmate safety by using professional correctional practices and operational procedures. Officers will be ready to engage in proven programming opportunities for inmates that allow opportunities for reform every day. Such individuals are required at the local, state, and federal levels throughout the entire state as the Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a steady national growth rate of 5% over the next decade. Currently the state employs 4,725 front-line correctional officers amidst 31 facilities. Facilities range in security measures from Arkansas' central office, to facilities like the state's Delta Regional Unit and East Arkansas Regional Unit, to the Maximum Security Unit and facilities for different prison populations like J. Aaron Hawkins Sr. Center and the state's Boot Camp Program. These facilities are largely state-owned. BLS predicts steady growth over the next decade as prison facilities and programs change to meet inmate populations over time and so state correctional officers have great opportunities for advancement and professional development. Read further to discover more information about getting hired for corrections in the state of Arkansas.

26
Schools Analyzed
10
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

Southern Arkansas University Tech

6415 Spellman Road, Camden, AR 71701-1906

Southern Arkansas University Tech ranks first in our latest rankings with 185 students completing programs in law enforcement administration and criminal justice out of a total a thousand students.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 11.58%
  • Program Graduates: 185
  • Total Graduates: 1,598
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Police Science

School Details

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

Black River Technical College

1410 Hwy 304 East, Pocahontas, AR 72455

Black River Technical College ranks 2nd in our rankings with 100 students completing programs in criminal justice and law enforcement administration out of a total 1,380 students from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 7.25%
  • Program Graduates: 100
  • Total Graduates: 1,380
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Police Science

School Details

3

East Arkansas Community College

1700 Newcastle Rd, Forrest City, AR 72335-2204

East Arkansas Community College ranks 3rd in our rankings with thirty-six students graduating from programs in law enforcement administration, criminal justice, and criminal justice out of a total 724 students from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.97%
  • Program Graduates: 36
  • Total Graduates: 724
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Criminal Justice
    • Police Science

School Details

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

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff

1200 N University Mail Slot 4789, Pine Bluff, AR 71601

University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff ranks fourth in our latest rankings with forty-two students completing programs in criminal justice and law enforcement administration out of a total 858 students.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.90%
  • Program Graduates: 42
  • Total Graduates: 858
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Criminal Justice

School Details

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

South Arkansas Community College

300 S West Ave, El Dorado, AR 71731-7010

South Arkansas Community College ranks 5th in our latest rankings with 67 students graduating from programs in criminal justice and law enforcement administration out of a total a thousand graduates.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.20%
  • Program Graduates: 67
  • Total Graduates: 1,596
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Police Science

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: southark.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
6

College of the Ouachitas

One College Circle, Malvern, AR 72104-0816

College of the Ouachitas ranks 6th in our rankings with 49 students graduating from programs in corrections and law enforcement administration out of a total 1,216 students in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.03%
  • Program Graduates: 49
  • Total Graduates: 1,216
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Criminal Justice
    • Corrections

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: coto.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
7

Arkansas Baptist College

1621 Dr. Martin Luther King Drive, Little Rock, AR 72202-6068

Arkansas Baptist College ranks 7th in our rankings with 9 students graduating from programs in corrections out of a total 246 students in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 3.66%
  • Program Graduates: 9
  • Total Graduates: 246

School Details

8

Arkansas State University-Beebe

1000 Iowa Street, Beebe, AR 72012-1000

Arkansas State University-Beebe ranks eighth in our rankings with eighty-six students graduating from programs in corrections, criminal justice, and criminal justice out of a total two thousand students in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 2.96%
  • Program Graduates: 86
  • Total Graduates: 2,910
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Criminal Justice
    • Police Science

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: asub.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
9

NorthWest Arkansas Community College

One College Drive, Bentonville, AR 72712-5091

NorthWest Arkansas Community College ranks 9th in our rankings with seventy-three students completing programs in law enforcement administration and criminal justice out of a total 2,490 graduates from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 2.93%
  • Program Graduates: 73
  • Total Graduates: 2,490
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Criminal Justice
    • Police Science
    • Corrections

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: nwacc.edu
  • School Size: 5,000 - 10,000
10

University of Arkansas at Little Rock

2801 S University Ave, Little Rock, AR 72204

University of Arkansas at Little Rock ranks tenth in our latest rankings with 138 students completing programs in criminal justice and criminal justice out of a total 4,762 students from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 2.90%
  • Program Graduates: 138
  • Total Graduates: 4,762
  • Programs:
    • Criminal Justice
    • Police Science

School Details

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

Continued List of All Criminal Jusitice Programs in Arkansas

ProgramWebsite

Remington College-Little Rock Campus

19 Remington Dr., Little Rock, AR 72204
Phone: (501) 312-0007

Southern Arkansas University Main Campus

100 E. University, Magnolia, AR 71753
Phone: (870) 235-4000

National Park College

101 College Dr, Hot Springs, AR 71913
Phone: (501) 760-4222

Southeast Arkansas College

1900 Hazel St., Pine Bluff, AR 71603
Phone: (870) 543-5900

Ozarka College

218 College Dr, Melbourne, AR 72556-0010
Phone: (870) 368-7371

Arkansas Tech University

Administration Bldg 200; 1509 N Boulder Ave, Russellville, AR 72801-2222
Phone: (479) 968-0389

University of Arkansas-Fort Smith

5210 Grand Ave, Fort Smith, AR 72913-3649
Phone: (479) 788-7000

University of Arkansas at Monticello

Highway 425 South, Monticello, AR 71656
Phone: (870) 367-6811

Arkansas State University-Mountain Home

1600 South College Street, Mountain Home, AR 72653
Phone: (870) 508-6100

University of Arkansas

Administration Bldg 425, Fayetteville, AR 72701
Phone: (479) 575-2000

Harding University

915 E. Market Ave., Searcy, AR 72143
Phone: (501) 279-4000

University of Arkansas Community College-Batesville

2005 White Drive, Batesville, AR 72503-3350
Phone: (870) 612-2000

Arkansas State University-Newport

7648 Victory Blvd, Newport, AR 72112
Phone: (870) 512-7800

Arkansas Northeastern College

2501 S Division, Blytheville, AR 72316-1109
Phone: (870) 762-1020 x1114

Phillips Community College of the University of Arkansas

1000 Campus Drive, Helena, AR 72342-0785
Phone: (870) 338-6474

Arkansas State University-Main Campus

2105 E. Aggie Road, Jonesboro, AR 72401
Phone: (870) 972-2100

Arkansas Correctional Officer Certification Requirements

The Department of Corrections in Arkansas has an ongoing need for recruits who are motivated to serve the public good and are eager for advancement in the challenging field of prison corrections. Due to the serious and challenging nature of the positions, as well as the physical, mental and ethical requirements of these positions, all applicants must meet the state's requirements for employment in order to be successful in the hiring process.

The initial employment application must be accompanied by the following documentation:

  • Proof of U.S. citizenship
  • Valid driver's license
  • Proof of age (21+ required)
  • No felony or domestic violence convictions

Once the application process is underway, recruits can expect to be contacted with regard to the follow-up phase of the hiring process. In Arkansas, the Human Resources department for the state requires candidates to undergo:

  • Psychological testing
  • A physical exam
  • Fitness testing
  • A reference check
  • A personal background check

So to ensure that candidates are an appropriate fit for the corrections environment. Upon completion, candidates may be contacted directly for placement or placed in a hiring pool prior to starting paid training through the Department of Corrections. The training portion for new-hires focuses on practical strategies for the role, as well as skillset development and familiarization with various aspects of the role.

Arkansas Department of Correction

P.O. Box 8707
Pine Bluff, AR 71611-8707
Phone: (870) 267-6999
http://adc.arkansas.gov/Pages/default.aspx

Arkansas Correctional Officer Employment & Outlook

Correctional Officer Salary: Arkansas vs National Salary Comparison

Source: BLS State Cross-Industry Estimates 2011

The state Department of Corrections in Arkansas is encouraged by the growth of citizens who are pursuing careers in state service, namely as front-line correctional officers. At this time, the median income for correctional officers throughout Arkansas is lower at $32,100 than the national median income at $39,800, however according to occupational data for the state of Arkansas, available at http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&Level=&optstatus=011000000&jobfam=33&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=333012&menuMode=&stfips=05&x=62&y=4 and published by CareerInfoNet.org state trends are predicted to experience a 9% growth curve from now until 2022 as compared to the national growth rate of 5%. This predicted growth pattern translates into 200 new openings and existing vacancies annually.

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

Arkansas Correctional Officer Salaries By Area

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

AreaTotal EmploymentAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
Pine Bluff1,510$16.64$34,610
Little Rock, North Little Rock, Conway690$14.58$30,320
Fayetteville, Springdale, Rogers260$15.32$31,860
Fort Smith120$13.78$28,660