Deputy probation officer education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a deputy probation officer. Deputy probation officers usually study criminal justice, psychology, or sociology. 69% of deputy probation officers hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 926 real deputy probation officer resumes to see exactly what deputy probation officer education sections show.

The most common colleges for deputy probation officers are the Colorado State University and the Colorado State University.

There are also many online deputy probation officer courses to help get the education required to be a deputy probation officer.

What education do you need to become a deputy probation officer?

What degree do you need to be a deputy probation officer?

The most common degree for deputy probation officers is bachelor's degree, with 69% of deputy probation officers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are associate degree degree at 13% and associate degree degree at 12%.

Bachelor's, 69%

Associate, 13%

Master's, 12%

High School Diploma, 2%

Other Degrees, 4%

What should I major in to become a deputy probation officer?

You should major in criminal justice to become a deputy probation officer. 39% of deputy probation officers major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a deputy probation officer include psychology and sociology.

Criminal Justice, 39%

Psychology, 13%

Sociology, 8%

Business, 7%

Other Majors, 33%

Most common colleges for deputy probation officers

Deputy probation officers often get their degrees at Colorado State University, California State University - San Bernardino, and University of Phoenix. Here are the most common colleges for deputy probation officers in the US based on their resumes.

Deputy probation officer common college	Percentages
Colorado State University	13.36%
California State University - San Bernardino	11.21%
University of Phoenix	9.91%
San Diego State University	6.90%
University of Northern Colorado	6.47%

Show more common deputy probation officer colleges

Best majors for deputy probation officers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Criminal Justice	39.5%
2	Psychology	12.6%
3	Sociology	7.5%
4	Business	6.6%
5	Social Work	4.5%

Show more common deputy probation officer majors

Best colleges for deputy probation officers

The best colleges for deputy probation officers are Northwestern University, Boston University, and New York University.

A deputy probation officer with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for deputy probation officers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become deputy probation officers.

1. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

2. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

3. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

4. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Enrollment

9,142

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

6. Pennsylvania State University

University Park, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$18,454

Enrollment

40,108

7. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

8. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Enrollment

13,871

9. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

10. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

20 best online courses for deputy probation officers

Advertising disclosure

1. Learn the Secrets of Probate Real Estate Investing

4.3

(350)

Everything you need to know to succeed in the probate real estate investing niche!...

2. Effective Legal Office Administration

4.5

(1,067)

Effective Legal Office Administration...

3. Crisis Intervention Seminar

4.4

(634)

The emphasis is on the development of fundamental clinical skills in the area of crisis intervention...

4. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)

4.7

(311)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...

5. Microsoft Office 365 Administration

4.5

(2,676)

Microsoft Office 365 Administration...

6. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs

4.7

(1,529)

Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...

7. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications

4.6

(2,248)

Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...

8. Health & Safety Risk Assessment

4.4

(545)

Learn how to conduct a complete risk assessment in your workplace...

9. MS Office Course Bundle- Word , Powerpoint , Excel & Outlook

4.3

(319)

MS Office Learn and Polish the Most Desirable Office Courses at work , MS Word , MS Excel , MS Powerpoint and MS Outlook...

10. Risk Management: Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment

4.3

(741)

Risk Management: Hazard Identification & Risk Assessment (HIRA), Hazard Control & Mitigation, Risk Evaluation Techniques...

11. Microsoft Office Essential Skills

4.6

(2,029)

Learn the essential Microsoft Office skills employers want from a Microsoft Certified Trainer!...

12. The Ultimate Microsoft Office 2013 Training Bundle 71 Hours

4.6

(818)

The Most Convenient Way to Boost Your Confidence And Learn MS Office 2013 Inside And Out—Quickly, No Travel or Classes...

13. Basic Certificate in Health Safety & Environment-HSE Level 2

4.4

(355)

A comprehensive course for Safety Officers, Supervisors, Managers and Aspiring Safety Professionals...

14. Practical Office 365 Administration

4.2

(291)

Learn in depth about Office 365 for Administrators and also find useful tips and resources to enhance your role as an Of...

15. Professional Diploma in Office Administration Management

4.2

(632)

Principles of work of Office Administrator. Required hard and soft skills. Introduction to MS Office and banking area...

16. Ultimate Microsoft Office; Excel, Word, PowerPoint & Access

4.5

(11,600)

Learn basic to advanced Microsoft Office skills in this 9-course bundle for Office 365 or Office 2019...

17. Mastering Microsoft 365 (2022) (was Mastering Office 365)

4.6

(4,895)

How To Take Full Advantage of Office 365: Your Modern, Collaborative Business Tools...

18. MS Office Complete Training - Beginner to Expert Level

(311)

Complete Practical training in MS Office 2010 to 2019 and Office 365 in MS Excel, MS Word, MS Power Point and MS Access...

19. Microsoft Office; Excel, Word & PowerPoint 2019 - Beginners

4.6

(958)

Learn the essentials of Microsoft Office in this 3-course bundle for Office 365 or Office 2019 users...

20. MS Office; Excel, Word, Access & PowerPoint 2019 - Beginners

4.5

(1,407)

Learn the essentials of Microsoft Office in this 4-course bundle for Office 365 or Office 2019 users...

Top 10 most affordable universities for deputy probation officers

The most affordable schools for deputy probation officers are California State University - Bakersfield, california state university - long beach, and california state university - dominguez hills.

If the best universities for deputy probation officers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for deputy probation officers.

1. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

2. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

3. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

4. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

5. USF Sarasota-Manatee

Sarasota, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,587

Cost of attendance

13,043

6. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

7. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

8. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

9. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

10. SUNY Farmingdale

Farmingdale, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$8,306

Cost of attendance

16,091

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for deputy probation officers

The hardest universities for deputy probation officers to get into are Northwestern University, Boston University, and New York University.

Some great schools for deputy probation officers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for deputy probation officers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

3. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

4. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

5. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

7. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

8. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

Admissions rate

40%

SAT average

1,376

9. Fordham University

Bronx, NY • Private

Admissions rate

46%

SAT average

1,354

10. University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,520

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for deputy probation officers

The easiest schools for deputy probation officers to get into are Nyack College, kean university, and presentation college.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a deputy probation officer without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for deputy probation officers.

1. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

2. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

3. Presentation College

Aberdeen, SD • Private

Admissions rate

97%

SAT average

1,050

4. Bluefield College

Bluefield, VA • Private

Admissions rate

95%

SAT average

980

5. The University of Texas Permian Basin

Odessa, TX • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,046

6. Notre Dame College

Cleveland, OH • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

994

7. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

8. Saint Martin's University

Lacey, WA • Private

Admissions rate

96%

SAT average

1,111

9. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

10. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

Average deputy probation officer salary by education level

According to our data, deputy probation officers with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $52,547 annually. Deputy probation officers with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $47,759.

Deputy probation officer education level	Deputy probation officer salary
Master's Degree	$52,547
Bachelor's Degree	$47,759

Deputy probation officer education FAQs

What is the best college for Deputy Probation Officers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common community and social services questions.

Search for deputy probation officer jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse community and social services jobs