The Texas Department of Criminal Justice has a need for accredited correctional officers at the county, state, and federal levels in their state-run and private facilities. At the state level, Texas is divided into 6 jurisdictions in order to better process and meet the needs of inmates. Some facilities, like Crain Unit, Hilltop Unit, and William P. Hobby Unit exclusively house female offenders. Others, like the Alfred D. Hughes Unit and O.L. Luther Unit are entirely male. This division, while necessary, underscores the need for both male and female corrections officer recruits. While incarceration rates are leveling off, the commitment of the justice system to avoid re-offense means that there is still a growing trend in the corrections workforce. By 2022, BLS.gov predicts that Texas' 41,038 correctional officers will have grown in number to 43,089 employees; the Department of Criminal Justice is a major employer throughout the state. If you're interested in a dynamic and challenging career with lucrative opportunities for advancement, read more about the corrections industry in Texas below.
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).
Jarvis Christian College
The mission of the Jarvis Christian College Criminal Justice Department is to provide students with broad-based learning experiences in law enforcement and the American judicial system. By emphasizing the development of students’ analytical and critical thinking skills, the Criminal Justice program prepares students for careers in law enforcement and the criminal justice system.
Jarvis provides real world, experiential activities for students majoring in criminal justice to include site visits to law enforcement agencies, courthouses, graduate schools and law schools, and opportunities to interact with and shadow local law enforcement officials, court officials, and attorneys.
“Our faculty has the experience and credentials in the law enforcement arena to ensure that our students are well prepared for mid-level careers in law enforcement and are capable of making an immediate impact when hired into a new law enforcement position. Our faculty and college have established relationships with law enforcement professionals and law enforcement organizations and we offer pre-professional chapters on our campus,” stated Calvin B. Lester, Jr., Lead Professor of Criminal Justice.
Jarvis Christian College is the sole historically Black liberal arts, baccalaureate degree-granting institution affiliated with the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Located in Hawkins, Texas, the mission of the college is to prepare students intellectually, socially, spiritually and personally to function effectively in a global and technological society, to pursue professional and graduate studies, or to begin satisfying and productive careers.
Paul Quinn College
Paul Quinn College ranks 2nd in our latest rankings with four students graduating from programs in corrections and law enforcement administration out of a total 32 students in the 2012-2013 school year.
Wiley College
Wiley College ranks 3rd in our rankings with 36 students completing programs in law enforcement administration and criminal justice out of a total 288 graduates.
Texas College
Texas College ranks 4th in our rankings with twenty-three students graduating from programs in law enforcement administration out of a total 280 graduates from the 2012-2013 school year.
Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University ranks fifth in our latest rankings with 690 students graduating from programs in corrections, securities services administration and management, and criminal justice out of a total eight thousand graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.
Sul Ross State University
Sul Ross State University ranks 6th in our rankings with sixty-six students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total 1,130 graduates.
University of Houston-Downtown
University of Houston-Downtown ranks seventh in our rankings with 269 students graduating from programs in securities services administration and management and criminal justice out of a total 4,872 students from the 2012-2013 school year.
Texas A & M International University
Texas A & M International University ranks 8th in our latest rankings with 106 students graduating from programs in criminal justice and law enforcement administration out of a total two thousand students.
Kilgore College
Kilgore College ranks 9th in our rankings with 150 students graduating from programs in criminal justice and law enforcement administration out of a total 2,934 graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.
Temple College
Temple College ranks 10th in our latest rankings with 69 students graduating from programs in criminal justice out of a total a thousand graduates from the 2012-2013 school year.
Angelina College
Angelina College ranks eleventh in our rankings with sixty-three students graduating from programs in criminal justice and criminal justice out of a total 1,412 graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.
College of the Mainland
College of the Mainland ranks twelfth in our latest rankings with fifty-nine students graduating from programs in criminal justice and criminal justice out of a total 1,344 graduates from the 2012-2013 school year.
Lamar Institute of Technology
Lamar Institute of Technology ranks 13th in our rankings with fifty-one students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total a thousand graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.
Remington College - North Houston
Remington College-North Houston Campus ranks fourteenth in our rankings with thirty-one students completing programs in law enforcement administration out of a total 758 students from the 2012-2013 school year.
Mountain View College
Mountain View College ranks 15th in our rankings with 64 students graduating from programs in criminal justice out of a total a thousand graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.
Huston-Tillotson University
Huston-Tillotson University ranks 16th in our rankings with eleven students completing programs in law enforcement administration out of a total 284 students from the 2012-2013 school year.
Eastfield College
Eastfield College ranks seventeenth in our latest rankings with 78 students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total 2,028 graduates.
Remington College - Houston
Remington College-Houston Campus ranks 18th in our rankings with 21 students completing programs in law enforcement administration out of a total 556 graduates.
Galveston College
Galveston College ranks nineteenth in our rankings with 33 students completing programs in criminal justice and criminal justice out of a total 936 graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.
Navarro College
Navarro College ranks 20th in our rankings with 112 students graduating from programs in criminal justice out of a total three thousand students.
Alvin Community College
Alvin Community College ranks 21st in our latest rankings with 68 students graduating from programs in criminal justice and criminal justice out of a total 2,000 graduates from the 2012-2013 school year.
South Texas College
South Texas College ranks 22nd in our rankings with 263 students graduating from programs in criminal justice and criminal justice out of a total 7,926 graduates.
Northwest Vista College
Northwest Vista College ranks 23rd in our latest rankings with ninety students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total two thousand graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.
Wharton County Junior College
Wharton County Junior College ranks twenty-fourth in our rankings with fifty-eight students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total a thousand graduates.
The University of Texas - Pan American
The University of Texas-Pan American ranks 25th in our latest rankings with 236 students graduating from programs in law enforcement administration out of a total 7,234 graduates from the 2012-2013 school year.
Palo Alto College
Palo Alto College ranks twenty-sixth in our latest rankings with 60 students graduating from programs in criminal justice out of a total a thousand students in the 2012-2013 school year.
Texas A & M University - Central Texas
Texas A & M University-Central Texas ranks twenty-seventh in our rankings with forty-five students graduating from programs in law enforcement administration and criminal justice out of a total 1,408 graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.
Blinn College
Blinn College ranks twenty-eighth in our rankings with 74 students completing programs in corrections, criminal justice, and criminal justice out of a total 2,378 graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.
Wayland Baptist University
Wayland Baptist University ranks 29th in our rankings with 134 students completing programs in law enforcement administration out of a total four thousand students in the 2012-2013 school year.
Remington College - Fort Worth
Remington College-Fort Worth Campus ranks 30th in our latest rankings with 20 students completing programs in law enforcement administration out of a total 712 graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.
Remington College - Dallas
Remington College-Dallas Campus ranks thirty-first in our rankings with forty-five students completing programs in law enforcement administration out of a total a thousand graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.
Tarleton State University
Tarleton State University ranks thirty-second in our rankings with 131 students completing programs in law enforcement administration and criminal justice out of a total 4,696 students.
Prairie View A & M University
Prairie View A & M University ranks 33rd in our rankings with 80 students graduating from programs in criminal justice and juvenile corrections out of a total 2,900 graduates from the 2012-2013 school year.
Northeast Texas Community College
Northeast Texas Community College ranks thirty-fourth in our rankings with thirty-three students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total a thousand graduates.
Laredo Community College
Laredo Community College ranks 35th in our latest rankings with eighty-seven students graduating from programs in criminal justice and criminal justice out of a total 3,260 graduates.
San Antonio College
San Antonio College ranks 36th in our latest rankings with 131 students graduating from programs in criminal justice, criminal justice, and corrections out of a total four thousand students.
South Plains College
South Plains College ranks 37th in our rankings with seventy-two students completing programs in law enforcement administration and criminal justice out of a total 2,792 students in the 2012-2013 school year.
Austin Community College District
Austin Community College District ranks 38th in our rankings with 128 students completing programs in criminal justice and corrections out of a total 4,992 students from the 2012-2013 school year.
Central Texas College
Central Texas College ranks thirty-ninth in our latest rankings with 184 students graduating from programs in criminal justice and criminal justice out of a total 7,518 graduates.
Howard College
Howard College ranks forty in our latest rankings with thirty-eight students graduating from programs in criminal justice, law enforcement administration, and corrections out of a total 1,560 students in the 2012-2013 school year.
Texas State University
Texas State University ranks forty-first in our rankings with 355 students completing programs in law enforcement administration, corrections, and criminal justice out of a total fifteen thousand students.
El Paso Community College
El Paso Community College ranks 42nd in our latest rankings with 195 students graduating from programs in corrections and criminal justice out of a total 8,360 graduates from the 2012-2013 school year.
Grayson College
Grayson College ranks 43rd in our rankings with 44 students graduating from programs in criminal justice and criminal justice out of a total a thousand students from the 2012-2013 school year.
The University of Texas at San Antonio
The University of Texas at San Antonio ranks forty-fourth in our rankings with 263 students completing programs in criminal justice out of a total eleven thousand graduates in the 2012-2013 school year.
Cedar Valley College
Cedar Valley College ranks 45th in our rankings with 43 students graduating from programs in criminal justice out of a total 1,952 students in the 2012-2013 school year.
Texas A & M University - Corpus Christi
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi ranks 46th in our rankings with 85 students graduating from programs in criminal justice out of a total 3,878 students.
Victoria College
Victoria College ranks 47th in our rankings with twenty-four students graduating from programs in criminal justice out of a total 1,102 students from the 2012-2013 school year.
Hill College
Hill College ranks forty-eighth in our latest rankings with thirty students completing programs in corrections and law enforcement administration out of a total a thousand students from the 2012-2013 school year.
Hardin-Simmons University
Hardin-Simmons University ranks forty-ninth in our latest rankings with twenty-one students graduating from programs in criminal justice out of a total 1,012 students in the 2012-2013 school year.
The University of Texas at El Paso
The University of Texas at El Paso ranks 50th in our rankings with 189 students graduating from programs in criminal justice out of a total 9,214 graduates.
Continued List of All Criminal Jusitice Programs in Texas
| Program | Website |
|---|---|
The University of Texas at Brownsville One West University Boulevard, Brownsville, TX 78520 Phone: (956) 882-8200 | utb.edu |
Midland College 3600 N Garfield, Midland, TX 79705 Phone: (432) 685-4500 | midland.edu |
Del Mar College 101 Baldwin Blvd., Corpus Christi, TX 78404-3897 Phone: (361) 698-1255 | delmar.edu |
East Texas Baptist University One Tiger Drive, Marshall, TX 75670-1498 Phone: (903) 935-7963 | etbu.edu |
Texas Wesleyan University 1201 Wesleyan St, Fort Worth, TX 76105-1536 Phone: (817) 531-4444 | txwes.edu |
Texas Southern University 3100 Cleburne St, Houston, TX 77004 Phone: (713) 313-7011 | em.tsu.edu |
Coastal Bend College 3800 Charco Rd, Beeville, TX 78102 Phone: (361) 358-2838 | coastalbend.edu |
Texas A & M University-Texarkana 7101 University Avenue, Texarkana, TX 75503 Phone: (903) 223-3000 | tamut.edu |
Tyler Junior College 1400 East Fifth Street, Tyler, TX 75701 Phone: (903) 510-2200 | tjc.edu |
University of North Texas 1501 W.Chestnut Ave., Denton, TX 76203-1277 Phone: (940) 565-2000 | unt.edu |
Southwest Texas Junior College 2401 Garner Field Rd, Uvalde, TX 78801-6297 Phone: (830) 278-4401 | swtjc.edu |
Amarillo College 2011 S. Washington, Amarillo, TX 79109 Phone: (806) 371-5000 | actx.edu |
McLennan Community College 1400 College Dr, Waco, TX 76708 Phone: (254) 299-8622 | mclennan.edu |
Cisco College 101 College Heights, Cisco, TX 76437 Phone: (254) 442-5000 | cisco.edu |
The University of Texas at Tyler 3900 University Blvd, Tyler, TX 75799-6699 Phone: (903) 566-7000 | uttyler.edu |
Tarrant County College District 1500 Houston St, Fort Worth, TX 76102-6524 Phone: (817) 515-5100 | tccd.edu |
Angelo State University 2601 W. Avenue N, San Angelo, TX 76909 Phone: (325) 942-2555 | angelo.edu |
St Mary's University One Camino Santa Maria, San Antonio, TX 78228-8586 Phone: (210) 436-3011 | catalog.stmarytx.edu |
Lubbock Christian University 5601 19th Street, Lubbock, TX 79407-2099 Phone: (806) 796-8800 | lcu.edu |
Texarkana College 2500 N Robison Rd, Texarkana, TX 75599 Phone: (903) 823-3456 | texarkanacollege.edu |
Vernon College 4400 College Dr., Vernon, TX 76384-4092 Phone: (940) 552-6291 | vernoncollege.edu |
Odessa College 201 W University Blvd, Odessa, TX 79764 Phone: (432) 335-6400 | odessa.edu |
Houston Community College 3100 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002 Phone: (877) 422-6111 | hccs.edu |
Midwestern State University 3410 Taft Blvd, Wichita Falls, TX 76308-2099 Phone: (940) 397-4000 | mwsu.edu |
The University of Texas at Arlington 701 S. Nedderman Dr., Arlington, TX 76013 Phone: (817) 272-2011 | uta.edu |
Stephen F Austin State University 2008 Alumin Drive, Rusk 206, Nacogdoches, TX 75961 Phone: (936) 468-2011 | sfasu.edu |
Brazosport College 500 College Dr, Lake Jackson, TX 77566-3199 Phone: (979) 230-3000 | brazosport.edu |
University of Houston-Victoria 3007 N. Ben Wilson, Victoria, TX 77901 Phone: (877) 970-4848 | uhv.edu |
Our Lady of the Lake University 411 SW 24th St, San Antonio, TX 78207-4689 Phone: (210) 434-6711 | ollusa.edu |
Texas A & M University-Commerce 2600 South Neal, Commerce, TX 75429-3011 Phone: (903) 886-5081 | tamuc.edu |
University of the Incarnate Word 4301 Broadway, San Antonio, TX 78209 Phone: (210) 829-6000 | uiw.edu |
Lamar University 4400 MLK Blvd, Beaumont, TX 77705 Phone: (409) 880-7011 | artssciences.lamar.edu |
Texas Christian University 2800 S University Dr, Fort Worth, TX 76129 Phone: (817) 257-7000 | admissions.tcu.edu |
North Central Texas College 1525 W California Street, Gainesville, TX 76240-4699 Phone: (940) 668-7731 | nctc.edu |
Clarendon College 1122 College Drive, Clarendon, TX 79226 Phone: (806) 874-3571 x107 | clarendoncollege.edu |
San Jacinto Community College 8060 Spencer Hwy, Pasadena, TX 77501-2007 Phone: (281) 998-6150 | sanjac.edu |
Weatherford College 225 College Park Drive, Weatherford, TX 76086-5699 Phone: (800) 287-5471 | wc.edu |
Lee College 511 S Whiting, Baytown, TX 77520 Phone: (281) 427-5611 | lee.edu |
Saint Edward's University 3001 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704-6489 Phone: (512) 448-8400 | stedwards.edu |
The University of Texas of the Permian Basin 4901 E University, Odessa, TX 79762-0001 Phone: (432) 552-2020 | utpb.edu |
Texas Woman's University 304 Administration Dr, Denton, TX 76201 Phone: (940) 898-2000 | twu.edu |
Lamar State College-Port Arthur 1500 Proctor St, Port Arthur, TX 77640 Phone: (409) 984-6342 | lamarpa.edu |
Trinity Valley Community College 100 Cardinal Drive, Athens, TX 75751 Phone: (903) 675-6200 | www2.tvcc.edu |
West Texas A & M University 2501 4th Ave, Canyon, TX 79016-0001 Phone: (806) 651-0000 | wtamu.edu |
Lone Star College System 5000 Research Forest Drive, The Woodlands, TX 77381-4399 Phone: (832) 813-6500 | lonestar.edu |
Abilene Christian University 1600 Campus Court, Abilene, TX 79699 Phone: (325) 674-2000 | acu.edu |
St Philip's College 1801 Martin Luther King Dr, San Antonio, TX 78203-2098 Phone: (210) 486-2000 | myspccatalog.alamo.edu |
Brookhaven College 3939 Valley View Ln, Farmers Branch, TX 75244-4997 Phone: (972) 860-4700 | brookhavencollege.edu |
Paris Junior College 2400 Clarksville St, Paris, TX 75460 Phone: (903) 785-7661 | parisjc.edu |
Dallas Baptist University 3000 Mountain Creek Parkway, Dallas, TX 75211-9299 Phone: (214) 333-7100 | www3.dbu.edu |
University of Mary Hardin-Baylor 900 College St, Belton, TX 76513-2599 Phone: (800) 727-8642 | undergrad.umhb.edu |
The University of Texas at Dallas 800 West Campbell Road, Richardson, TX 75080-3021 Phone: (972) 883-2111 | utdallas.edu |
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Texas Correctional Officer Certification Requirements
The Department of Corrections in Texas is continually searching for interested and qualified applicants for the position of corrections officer. With vacancies throughout the state, men and women have excellent career opportunities in the corrections field. Due to the challenging nature of the work, the state has committing to hiring only the most qualified applicants. The first stage of the application process details that applicants provide proof of the following:
- U.S. citizenship or naturalization
- Valid Texas driver's license
- Proof of age (21+)
- No domestic violence or felony convictions
- Proof of honorable discharge if applicable
Applicants who meet or exceed the eligibility criteria will be contacted by the department in order to begin the more rigorous second phase of the hiring process. Phase 2 assessments will include:
- Fitness evaluation
- Detailed background investigation
- Drug testing
- Medical-physical examination
- Mental health examination
- In-person interview
Those candidates who are the most qualified based on Phase 2 criteria will be invited to enroll in the Texas Corrections Officer Training Academy. The weeks-long program is designed to provide a practical approach to working in a correctional facility. Successfully completing the training will certify candidates as Corrections Officers suitable for employment within the state.
Texas Department of Criminal Justice
P.O. Box 13084
Austin, TX 78711
Phone: (512) 475-3250
http://www.tdcj.state.tx.us/
Texas Correctional Officer Employment & Outlook
Correctional Officer Salary: Texas vs National Salary Comparison
Source: BLS State Cross-Industry Estimates 2011
The state Department of Corrections in Texas encourages civic-minded citizens to look into the field of corrections for fulfilling and lucrative career opportunities. At this time, the median income for correctional officers throughout Texas is lower than the national average at $37,100, with the national median income at $39,800. 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=48&x=67&y=9 and published by CareerInfoNet.org, state trends are predicted to experience a 16% growth curve from now until 2022 as compared to the national growth rate of 5%. This predicted growth pattern translates into 2,030 new openings and existing vacancies annually.
Occupational Employment Statistics for Correctional Officers (http://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333012.htm)
Texas Correctional Officer Salaries By Area
The table below lists career information obtained from the BLS for correctional officers in Texas. The table is sorted by total employment, with the largest metropolitan areas listed first.
| Area | Total Employment | Average Hourly Wage | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Houston, Sugar Land, Baytown | 8,420 | $18.45 | $38,380 |
| Dallas, Plano, Irving | 3,970 | $17.96 | $37,350 |
| Killeen, Temple, Fort Hood | 2,600 | $16.70 | $34,740 |
| San Antonio, New Braunfels | 2,390 | $18.19 | $37,830 |
| Austin, Round Rock, San Marcos | 1,780 | $18.84 | $39,190 |
| Beaumont, Port Arthur | 1,630 | $19.61 | $40,790 |
| Fort Worth, Arlington | 1,450 | $20.15 | $41,920 |
| Amarillo | 1,160 | $17.73 | $36,890 |
| El Paso | 1,090 | $22.84 | $47,510 |
| Texarkana, Texarkana | 970 | $18.34 | $38,150 |
| Abilene | 890 | $16.69 | $34,710 |
| Wichita Falls | 860 | $17.17 | $35,710 |
| Lubbock | 670 | $18.04 | $37,530 |
| McAllen, Edinburg, Mission | 550 | $17.60 | $36,620 |
| Waco | 550 | $18.37 | $38,200 |
| Corpus Christi | 350 | $15.61 | $32,470 |
| College Station, Bryan | 230 | $19.42 | $40,380 |
