Becoming a Correctional Officer in Missouri

The state of Missouri currently employs 9,536 correctional officers to maintain order with 31,537 incarcerated inmates throughout 20 state facilities such as the Southeast Correctional Center, and the Western Missouri Correctional Center, and with prisoners awaiting sentencing in county jails like Jackson County Detention Center and Lawrence County Detention Center. Missouri does not have a federal penitentiary. The State Department of Corrections mandates that offenders should be released with the tools and skillsets to become productive members of society in order to lessen the chance that they will be a threat to public safety through re-offending. The state of Missouri was chosen as a demonstration site for the Transition from Prison to Community Model - a leader in the field of corrections. As the correctional officer role evolves in order to meet prisoner need and stop recidivism, BLS.gov predicts a stable growth of 5% in the state between now and 2022. That statistic will allow for the creation of 119 new jobs, as well as recruitment for additional jobs as senior officers retire or are promoted.

35
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

Missouri Southern State University

3950 E. Newman Road, Joplin, MO 64801-1595

Missouri Southern State University ranks 1st in our rankings with 214 students completing programs in criminal justice, law enforcement administration, and criminal justice out of a total 2,158 students from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 9.92%
  • Program Graduates: 214
  • Total Graduates: 2,158
  • Programs:
    • Law Enforcement Administration
    • Criminal Justice
    • Police Science
    • Juvenile Corrections

School Details

  • School Type: Public, 4-year
  • Website: mssu.edu
  • School Size: 5,000 - 10,000
2

Harris-Stowe State University

3026 Laclede Ave, Saint Louis, MO 63103-2136

Harris-Stowe State University ranks 2nd in our rankings with twenty-eight students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total 324 students in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 8.64%
  • Program Graduates: 28
  • Total Graduates: 324

School Details

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

Hannibal-LaGrange University

2800 Palmyra Rd, Hannibal, MO 63401-1999

Hannibal-LaGrange University ranks 3rd in our rankings with 28 students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total 532 students from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 5.26%
  • Program Graduates: 28
  • Total Graduates: 532

School Details

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

Columbia College

1001 Rogers Street, Columbia, MO 65216

Columbia College ranks 4th in our latest rankings with 494 students completing programs in law enforcement administration out of a total nine thousand graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.99%
  • Program Graduates: 494
  • Total Graduates: 9,890

School Details

  • School Type: Private, 4-year
  • Website: web.ccis.edu
  • School Size: 10,000 - 20,000
5

Mineral Area College

5270 Flat River Road, Park Hills, MO 63601-1000

Mineral Area College ranks 5th in our rankings with 57 students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total a thousand graduates from the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.31%
  • Program Graduates: 57
  • Total Graduates: 1,322

School Details

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

Missouri Valley College

500 E College St, Marshall, MO 65340

Missouri Valley College ranks 6th in our rankings with 40 students graduating from programs in criminal justice out of a total 930 students.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.30%
  • Program Graduates: 40
  • Total Graduates: 930

School Details

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

College of the Ozarks

100 Opportunity Avenue, Point Lookout, MO 65726-0017

College of the Ozarks is a private, 4 year college located in Point Lookout, Missouri. Home to approximately 2,470 students, COFO was founded in 1905 and offers certified, associate's, and bachelor degree programs. Students who are interested in a career in corrections are encouraged to apply to COFO's programs. Through a combination of academics and practical skill acquisition both on campus and through field trips, the Department of Criminal Justice prepares successful graduates for entry into the disciplines of corrections and law enforcement.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 4.08%
  • Program Graduates: 26
  • Total Graduates: 638
  • Programs:
    • Corrections
    • Police Science

School Details

  • School Type: Private, 4-year
  • Website: cofo.edu
  • School Size: 1,000 - 5,000
8

Park University

8700 NW River Park Dr, Parkville, MO 64152-3795

Park University ranks eighth in our latest rankings with 215 students completing programs in law enforcement administration out of a total 5,488 graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 3.92%
  • Program Graduates: 215
  • Total Graduates: 5,488

School Details

  • School Type: Private, 4-year
  • Website: park.edu
  • School Size: 10,000 - 20,000
9

Missouri Western State University

4525 Downs Dr, Saint Joseph, MO 64507

Missouri Western State University ranks ninth in our latest rankings with sixty-five students graduating from programs in criminal justice and criminal justice out of a total a thousand graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 3.77%
  • Program Graduates: 65
  • Total Graduates: 1,722
  • Programs:
    • Criminal Justice
    • Police Science

School Details

10

Lincoln University

820 Chestnut Street, Jefferson City, MO 65101

Lincoln University ranks 10th in our rankings with thirty-four students completing programs in law enforcement administration out of a total 926 graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.

Ranking Details

  • Percent of Graduates: 3.67%
  • Program Graduates: 34
  • Total Graduates: 926

School Details

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

Continued List of All Criminal Jusitice Programs in Missouri

ProgramWebsite

University of Central Missouri

202 Administration Building, Warrensburg, MO 64093
Phone: (660) 543-4111

Drury University

900 N.Benton, Springfield, MO 65802-3791
Phone: (417) 873-7879

Jefferson College

1000 Viking Drive, Hillsboro, MO 63050-2440
Phone: (636) 797-3000

Culver-Stockton College

One College Hill, Canton, MO 63435-1299
Phone: (573) 288-6000

Southeast Missouri State University

One University Plaza, MS4675, Cape Girardeau, MO 63701
Phone: (573) 651-2000

Moberly Area Community College

101 College Ave, Moberly, MO 65270-1304
Phone: (660) 263-4110 x208

Three Rivers Community College

2080 Three Rivers Blvd, Poplar Bluff, MO 63901
Phone: (573) 840-9600

Central Methodist University-College of Liberal Arts and Sciences

411 Central Methodist Square, Fayette, MO 65248-1198
Phone: (660) 248-3391

Metropolitan Community College-Kansas City

3200 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111-2429
Phone: (816) 604-1000

Truman State University

100 E Normal, Kirksville, MO 63501-4221
Phone: (660) 785-4000

Saint Louis Community College

300 South Broadway, Saint Louis, MO 63102-2810
Phone: (314) 539-5000

Missouri Baptist University

One College Park Dr, Saint Louis, MO 63141-8698
Phone: (877) 434-1115

University of Missouri-Kansas City

5100 Rockhill Rd, Kansas City, MO 64110
Phone: (816) 235-1000

Evangel University

1111 N Glenstone, Springfield, MO 65802
Phone: (417) 865-2811

Southwest Baptist University

1600 University Ave, Bolivar, MO 65613-2596
Phone: (800) 526-5859

East Central College

1964 Prairie Dell Rd, Union, MO 63084
Phone: (636) 584-6500

St Charles Community College

4601 Mid Rivers Mall Dr, Cottleville, MO 63376-0975
Phone: (636) 922-8000

Rockhurst University

1100 Rockhurst Rd, Kansas City, MO 64110-2561
Phone: (816) 501-4000

Missouri State University-West Plains

128 Garfield Avenue, West Plains, MO 65775-2715
Phone: (417) 255-7255

Saint Louis University

One Grand Blvd, Saint Louis, MO 63103-2097
Phone: (314) 977-2222

Crowder College

601 Laclede Ave, Neosho, MO 64850
Phone: (417) 451-3223 x5536

State Fair Community College

3201 W 16th Street, Sedalia, MO 65301-2199
Phone: (660) 530-5800 x7217

North Central Missouri College

1301 Main St, Trenton, MO 64683
Phone: (660) 359-3948 x1418

Westminster College

501 Westminster Ave, Fulton, MO 65251-1299
Phone: (573) 642-3361

William Woods University

One University Avenue, Fulton, MO 65251-1098
Phone: (573) 642-2251 x2251

Missouri Correctional Officer Certification Requirements

Missouri's Department of Corrections has an open recruitment for men and women who are interested in becoming correctional officers and employees of the state's penitentiaries and country jails. The role is challenging, and therefore, the Missouri DOC is committed to ensuring that only those candidates who meet all the requirements of the role should be considered for employment. In order to ensure due process, the state has a several-stage hiring process that begins with basic eligibility criteria. Applicants must have the following in order to apply for the corrections officer role:

  • Accurate and complete state application with DOC addendum
  • Proof of age and U.S. citizenship
  • Valid Missouri driver's license
  • No felony charges
  • Possess a high school diploma or GED
  • Veterans to have proof of DD-214
  • Proof of negative drug test

Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements for the state will then be contacted to pursue additional assessments. The second hiring phase is designed to allow candidates to showcase their fitness for the role of corrections officer. Those who fail any part of the assessment are welcome to reapply at a later time. 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. Focus of training is on practical measures and tactics for the corrections officer role. Employment will be finalized upon successful completion of the final phase of training.

Missouri Department of Corrections

2729 Plaza Drive, P.O. Box 236
Jefferson City, MO 65102
Phone: (573) 751-2389
http://doc.mo.gov/

Missouri Correctional Officer Employment & Outlook

Correctional Officer Salary: Missouri vs National Salary Comparison

Source: BLS State Cross-Industry Estimates 2011

One of the ways that the state of Missouri serves and supports correctional officers is through strong growth and competitive salaries throughout the state. As such, the median income for front-line correctional officers throughout the state is much lower at $29,000 than the median income at $39,800, however, professional development can raise salary. According to the occupational profile for the state of Missouri found at http://www.careerinfonet.org/occ_rep.asp?next=occ_rep&Level=&optstatus=011000000&jobfam=33&id=1&nodeid=2&soccode=333012&menuMode=&stfips=29&x=75&y=14 and published by CareerInfoNet.org, state and national trends predict a 3% and 5% increase in correctional officer jobs by 2022 respectively. For residents of Missouri this rate translates into 240 job openings per year.

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

Missouri Correctional Officer Salaries By Area

The table below lists career information organized by the BLS for correctional officers in Missouri. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.

AreaTotal EmploymentAverage Hourly WageAverage Annual Salary
St. Louis2,220$19.71$40,990
Kansas City2,190$16.58$34,480
Jefferson City1,140$14.33$29,810
Springfield350$20.57$42,780
Joplin90$14.00$29,130
Cape Girardeau, Jackson-$14.07$29,260