Correctional Officer Technical Certificate

For more information, contact the Social Science and Education division at 615-230-3231 or ssed@volstate.edu.

The Corrections Technical Certificate offers students a competitive edge when seeking employment for entry-level positions in the corrections field.  Students completing the certificate may apply some coursework toward the AAS or AS/AA degree in Criminal Justice. Evening and online classes are available.

Students are required to complete a thirty-two (32) contact hour course through TCI (Tennessee Corrections Institute), which will be embedded in the program in order to receive this certificate.

The Correctional Officer Technical Certificate is embedded within the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice, the Associate of Science, Criminal Justice and General Studies area of emphasis, and the Associate of Arts, General Studies area of emphasis.  Courses in this certificate may be used to award these degrees.

Program Learning Outcomes

Upon completion, the graduate will have developed the skills, knowledge, and abilities to accomplish the following:

  1. Discuss the history of corrections, special populations in corrections, gangs, and PREA (Prison Rape Elimination Act).
  2. Identify issues concerning mental illness, suicide prevention, officer wellness, and sexual harassment in corrections.
  3. Relate communication, report writing, and intelligence-gathering techniques to a corrections environment.
  4. Identify and cite laws concerning use of force, duty to intervene, and constitutional and civil rights laws for corrections populations.

CIP Code:(27) 43.0104.01    SOC Code:33-3051.00

Total Certificate Requirements - Credits (16)


DegreeWorks, along with the correct catalog, should be utilized by students for all of their educational planning.  Students can monitor their progress toward a degree or certificate and view missing requirements with the DegreeWorks audit, which is accessible through My Volstate.

  • CRMJ 1325 - Issues and Ethics in Criminal Justice Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 1340 - Criminal Investigation Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 1341 - *Physical Defensive Tactics Credits: (4)
  • CRMJ 2010 - Introduction to Law Enforcement Credits: (3)
  • CRMJ 2020 - Introduction to Corrections Credits: (3)