Becoming a Correctional Officer in New York

The New York State Department of Corrections is responsible for the incarceration and subsequent rehabilitation of more than 53,550 inmates across 54 state facilities. These men and women are supervised by 28,441 correctional officers who are sworn to foster an environment where offenders, staff, and the community feel secure while implementing treatment plans to support each inmate on their journey back to freedom. Additionally, the county jail system, consisting of facilities like Allegany County Jail and Broome County Public Safety Facility uses state funding and resources. Finally there are four federal penitentiaries in New York that also require funding and support from the state. With the evolving needs of the corrections industry, it is no surprise that the Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts an upward trend in job creation throughout the state. Total roles for front line correctional officers are expected to exceed 29,863 in total by 2022. Between this forecast and vacancies due to retirement, attrition, and promotion, the state of New York has mounted an active campaign for recruits. To learn more about corrections in New York, read on.

67
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

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice

524 W 59th St, New York, NY 10019

CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice ranks 1st in our rankings with a thousand students completing programs in security and loss prevention services and securities services administration and management out of a total 5,976 graduates.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 24.36%
  • Program Graduates: 1,456
  • Total Graduates: 5,976
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Police Science
    • Security And Loss Prevention Services
    • Securities Services Administration and management
    • Corrections Administration

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 4-year
  • Website: jjay.cuny.edu
  • School Size: 10,000 - 20,000
2

Hilbert College

5200 S Park Ave, Hamburg, NY 14075-1597

Hilbert College ranks 2nd in our latest rankings with 101 students graduating from programs in law enforcement administration, criminal justice, and criminal justice out of a total 522 students from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 19.35%
  • Program Graduates: 101
  • Total Graduates: 522
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Criminal Justice
    • Police Science

School Details

  • School Type: Private, 4-year
  • Website: hilbert.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
3

SUNY College of Technology at Canton

34 Cornell Drive, Canton, NY 13617-1098

SUNY College of Technology at Canton ranks 3rd in our rankings with 175 students graduating from programs in law enforcement administration, criminal justice, and corrections out of a total a thousand graduates from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 9.83%
  • Program Graduates: 175
  • Total Graduates: 1,780
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Police Science
    • Security And Loss Prevention Services
    • Corrections

School Details

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

Cayuga County Community College

197 Franklin St, Auburn, NY 13021-3099

An essential educational resource for the Auburn, New York area, Cayuga County Community College is an affiliate of the State University of New York (SUNY) Network. With foundational values of diversity and affordability, CCCC strives to create engaged citizens who are career-ready. To this end, the college has an array of programs for students interested in Criminal Justice associate's and bachelor's degrees. Use of instructors who are veterans of their field as well as smaller class sizes ensures students enter the field prepared for its challenges.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 8.70%
  • Program Graduates: 102
  • Total Graduates: 1,172
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Police Science

School Details

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

Ulster County Community College

491 Cottekill Rd, Stone Ridge, NY 12484

Ulster County Community College ranks 5th in our latest rankings with 74 students graduating from programs in law enforcement administration and criminal justice out of a total a thousand students.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 7.05%
  • Program Graduates: 74
  • Total Graduates: 1,050
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Police Science

School Details

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

Keuka College

141 Central Avenue, Keuka Park, NY 14478

Keuka College ranks 6th in our rankings with eighty-eight students graduating from programs in law enforcement administration out of a total 1,278 students from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 6.89%
  • Program Graduates: 88
  • Total Graduates: 1,278

School Details

  • School Type: Private, 4-year
  • Website: bass.keuka.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
7

Herkimer County Community College

100 Reservoir Rd, Herkimer, NY 13350-1598

Herkimer County Community College ranks seventh in our latest rankings with 67 students graduating from programs in law enforcement administration, criminal justice, and corrections out of a total a thousand students in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 5.50%
  • Program Graduates: 67
  • Total Graduates: 1,218
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Criminal Justice

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: herkimer.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
8

Jamestown Community College

525 Falconer St, Jamestown, NY 14701

Jamestown Community College ranks 8th in our rankings with 81 students completing programs in corrections, criminal justice, and law enforcement administration out of a total a thousand graduates.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 5.44%
  • Program Graduates: 81
  • Total Graduates: 1,490
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Police Science

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: sunyjcc.edu
  • School Size: 5,000 - 10,000
9

Adirondack Community College

640 Bay Rd, Queensbury, NY 12804

Located in Queensbury, New York, Adirondack Community College is part of the SUNY college network, serving students throughout the New York state. A public 2-year facility with over 2,500 full-time, on-campus students, ACC specializes in offering affordable and accessible certificate and associate's programs to the area. Students interested in pursuing a career in corrections are encouraged to apply to ACC's associate degree program for Criminal Justice - Police Science whose program facilitates entry into the enforcement field.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 5.43%
  • Program Graduates: 57
  • Total Graduates: 1,050
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Police Science

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: sunyacc.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
10

Jefferson Community College

1220 Coffeen St, Watertown, NY 13601-1897

Jefferson Community College ranks 10th in our rankings with sixty-six students graduating from programs in law enforcement administration out of a total 1,236 graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 5.34%
  • Program Graduates: 66
  • Total Graduates: 1,236

School Details

11

Schenectady County Community College

78 Washington Avenue, Schenectady, NY 12305

Schenectady County Community College ranks 11th in our rankings with 60 students graduating from programs in law enforcement administration out of a total a thousand graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.95%
  • Program Graduates: 60
  • Total Graduates: 1,212

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: sunysccc.edu
  • School Size: 5,000 - 10,000
12

St Thomas Aquinas College

125 Rte 340, Sparkill, NY 10976-1050

St Thomas Aquinas College ranks 12th in our latest rankings with 33 students completing programs in law enforcement administration out of a total 672 students.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.91%
  • Program Graduates: 33
  • Total Graduates: 672

School Details

  • School Type: Private, 4-year
  • Website: stac.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
13

Clinton Community College

136 Clinton Point Dr, Plattsburgh, NY 12901

Clinton Community College ranks 13th in our latest rankings with 38 students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total 780 graduates.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.87%
  • Program Graduates: 38
  • Total Graduates: 780

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: clinton.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
14

Erie Community College

121 Ellicott St, Buffalo, NY 14203-2698

Erie Community College ranks 14th in our latest rankings with 232 students completing programs in law enforcement administration and criminal justice out of a total 4,934 students.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.70%
  • Program Graduates: 232
  • Total Graduates: 4,934
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Police Science

School Details

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

Columbia-Greene Community College

4400 Route 23, Hudson, NY 12534

Columbia-Greene Community College ranks fifteenth in our latest rankings with 33 students completing programs in criminal justice and law enforcement administration out of a total 706 graduates.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.67%
  • Program Graduates: 33
  • Total Graduates: 706
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Criminal Justice
    • Police Science

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: sunycgcc.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
16

LIU Brentwood

Michael J. Grant Campus, 1001 Crooked Hill Road, Brentwood, NY 11717

LIU Brentwood ranks 16th in our rankings with fifteen students completing programs in law enforcement administration out of a total 322 students in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.66%
  • Program Graduates: 15
  • Total Graduates: 322

School Details

  • School Type: Private, 4-year
  • Website: liu.edu
  • School Size: Less than 1,000
17

North Country Community College

23 Santanoni Avenue, Saranac Lake, NY 12983-0089

North Country Community College ranks 17th in our latest rankings with twenty-five students graduating from programs in law enforcement administration out of a total 560 students from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.46%
  • Program Graduates: 25
  • Total Graduates: 560

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: ncccwebs.com
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
18

Orange County Community College

115 South St, Middletown, NY 10940

Orange County Community College ranks 18th in our rankings with seventy students completing programs in law enforcement administration and criminal justice out of a total a thousand graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.46%
  • Program Graduates: 70
  • Total Graduates: 1,568
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Police Science

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 2-year
  • Website: sunyorange.edu
  • School Size: 5,000 - 10,000
19

Onondaga Community College

4585 West Seneca Turnpike, Syracuse, NY 13215-4585

Onondaga Community College ranks 19th in our latest rankings with 104 students graduating from programs in criminal justice and law enforcement administration out of a total 2,590 graduates.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.02%
  • Program Graduates: 104
  • Total Graduates: 2,590
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Police Science

School Details

20

Genesee Community College

One College Rd, Batavia, NY 14020

Genesee Community College ranks 20th in our rankings with seventy students graduating from programs in law enforcement administration out of a total 1,746 students.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.01%
  • Program Graduates: 70
  • Total Graduates: 1,746

School Details

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

Continued List of All Criminal Jusitice Programs in New York

ProgramWebsite

Hudson Valley Community College

80 Vandenburgh Ave, Troy, NY 12180
Phone: (518) 629-4822

Fulton-Montgomery Community College

2805 State Hwy 67, Johnstown, NY 12095-3790
Phone: (518) 762-3622

Dutchess Community College

53 Pendell Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601-1595
Phone: (845) 431-8000

Mohawk Valley Community College

1101 Sherman Dr, Utica, NY 13501-5394
Phone: (315) 792-5400

Sullivan County Community College

112 College Road, Loch Sheldrake, NY 12759-5151
Phone: (845) 434-5750

Niagara County Community College

3111 Saunders Settlement Rd, Sanborn, NY 14132
Phone: (716) 614-6222

Tompkins Cortland Community College

170 North St, Dryden, NY 13053-0139
Phone: (607) 844-8211

Rockland Community College

145 College Rd, Suffern, NY 10901-3699
Phone: (845) 574-4000

SUNY College at Plattsburgh

101 Broad Street, Plattsburgh, NY 12901-2681
Phone: (518) 564-2000

Suffolk County Community College

533 College Rd, Selden, NY 11784-2899
Phone: (631) 451-4110

SUNY Westchester Community College

75 Grasslands Road, Valhalla, NY 10595
Phone: (914) 606-6600

Utica College

1600 Burrstone Rd, Utica, NY 13502-4892
Phone: (315) 792-3111

Nassau Community College

One Education Dr, Garden City, NY 11530-6793
Phone: (516) 572-7501

SUNY College at Brockport

350 New Campus Dr, Brockport, NY 14420-2919
Phone: (585) 395-2361

Finger Lakes Community College

3325 Marvin Sands Drive, Canandaigua, NY 14424-8395
Phone: (585) 394-3500

Molloy College

1000 Hempstead Ave, Rockville Centre, NY 11571-5002
Phone: (516) 323-3000

Niagara University

Lewiston Road, Niagara University, NY 14109
Phone: (716) 285-1212

Buffalo State SUNY

1300 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14222
Phone: (716) 878-4000

Cazenovia College

22 Sullivan St, Cazenovia, NY 13035
Phone: (800) 654-3210

SUNY Oneonta

Ravine Parkway, Oneonta, NY 13820-4015
Phone: (607) 436-3500

SUNY College at Oswego

7060 State Route 104, Oswego, NY 13126
Phone: (315) 312-2500

SUNY Broome Community College

907 Upper Front St, Binghamton, NY 13905
Phone: (607) 778-5000

Corning Community College

1 Academic Dr, Corning, NY 14830
Phone: (607) 962-9011

Morrisville State College

Whipple Administration Building, Route 20, Morrisville, NY 13408
Phone: (315) 684-6000

Monroe Community College

1000 E Henrietta Rd, Rochester, NY 14623
Phone: (585) 292-2000

St John's University-New York

8000 Utopia Pky, Queens, NY 11439
Phone: (718) 990-6161

St Francis College

180 Remsen St, Brooklyn Heights, NY 11201-9902
Phone: (718) 522-2300

Farmingdale State College

2350 Broadhollow Road, Farmingdale, NY 11735-1021
Phone: (516) 420-2000

Marist College

3399 North Rd, Poughkeepsie, NY 12601
Phone: (845) 575-3000

SUNY at Albany

1400 Washington Avenue, Albany, NY 12222
Phone: (518) 442-3300

Iona College

715 North Ave, New Rochelle, NY 10801-1890
Phone: (914) 633-2000

Medaille College

18 Agassiz Circle, Buffalo, NY 14214-2695
Phone: (716) 880-2000

SUNY at Fredonia

280 Central Ave, Fredonia, NY 14063-1136
Phone: (716) 673-3111

Saint Joseph's College-New York

245 Clinton Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11205-3688
Phone: (718) 940-5300

Excelsior College

7 Columbia Cir, Albany, NY 12203-5159
Phone: (518) 464-8500

SUNY College at Potsdam

44 Pierrepont Ave, Potsdam, NY 13676-2294
Phone: (315) 267-2000

Mercy College

555 Broadway, Dobbs Ferry, NY 10522
Phone: (800) 637-2969

Alfred University

One Saxon Drive, Alfred, NY 14802-1205
Phone: (607) 871-2111

Pace University-New York

1 Pace Plaza, New York, NY 10038-1598
Phone: (212) 346-1200

Elmira College

One Park Place, Elmira, NY 14901
Phone: (607) 735-1800

Roberts Wesleyan College

2301 Westside Dr, Rochester, NY 14624
Phone: (585) 594-6000

The College of Saint Rose

432 Western Ave, Albany, NY 12203-1490
Phone: (518) 454-5111

Adelphi University

South Ave, Garden City, NY 11530-0701
Phone: (516) 877-3000

Rochester Institute of Technology

1 Lomb Memorial Dr, Rochester, NY 14623-5603
Phone: (585) 475-2411

Nyack College

1 South Blvd, Nyack, NY 10960-3698
Phone: (845) 675-4400

SUNY College of Technology at Delhi

2 Main Street, Delhi, NY 13753-1100
Phone: (607) 746-4000

New York Institute of Technology

Northern Blvd, Old Westbury, NY 11568-8000
Phone: (516) 686-7516

New York Correctional Officer Certification Requirements

New York State's Department of Corrections has a policy of continual recruitment for career-minded men and women who wish to become correctional officers in the state's penitentiaries and country jails. The role is challenging; the Department of Corrections has committed to ensuring that only those candidates who meet or exceed all the job requirements will be considered for employment. In order to ensure this process is effective, the state has a multi-stage hiring process that begins with basic eligibility criteria. Applicants must first have proof of the following to submit with their complete and accurate application:

  • Proof of age and U.S. citizenship
  • Valid New York driver's license
  • No felony charges
  • Possess a high school diploma or GED, or higher
  • Veterans to have proof of DD-214 "Honorable Discharge"
  • Proof of negative drug test

Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements will then be contacted to pursue additional assessments. The assessments are as follows:

  • Fitness assessment
  • Physical assessment by medical doctor
  • Written test of knowledge
  • Extensive personal and professional background check
  • Fingerprinting

Candidates who pass the assessment portion of the hiring process will be contacted for an in-person interview. After a successful interview, applicants will be enrolled in basic training to take place at a state facility. The focus of training for new hires is on practical measures and tactics for the corrections officer role. Employment will be finalized upon successful completion of the final phase of training.

New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision

1220 Washington Ave
Albany, NY 12226-2050
Phone: (518) 457-8126
http://www.doccs.ny.gov/

New York Correctional Officer Employment & Outlook

Correctional Officer Salary: New York vs National Salary Comparison

Source: BLS State Cross-Industry Estimates 2011

The Department of Corrections in New York state encourages civic-minded citizens to look toward the corrections field for lucrative career opportunities. At this time, the median income for correctional officers throughout the state is higher than the national average at $63,600, with the national median income at $39,800, however according to occupational data for the state, 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=36&x=24&y=18 and published by CareerInfoNet.org, state trends will experience a -1% decline in growth from now until 2022. This projection translates into 1,020 openings from existing positions annually.

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

New York Correctional Officer Salaries By Area

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

AreaTotal EmploymentAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
New York, White Plains, Wayne11,340$35.67$74,200
Poughkeepsie, Newburgh, Middletown2,590$28.21$58,670
Rochester1,920$29.26$60,850
Nassau, Suffolk1,670$36.48$75,880
Buffalo, Niagara Falls1,590$30.21$62,830
Utica, Rome1,440$29.80$61,990
Albany, Schenectady, Troy1,110$24.40$50,750
Glens Falls870$27.76$57,750
Syracuse440$23.68$49,250