Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Parole officer education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a parole officer. Parole officers usually study criminal justice, psychology, or sociology. 75% of parole officers hold a bachelor's degree, and 15% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 2,083 real parole officer resumes to see exactly what parole officer education sections show.
The most common colleges for parole officers are the Sam Houston State University and the Sam Houston State University.
There are also many online parole officer courses to help get the education required to be a parole officer.
There are certain parole officer certifications that you should consider. These parole officer certifications include Microsoft Office Specialist: Expert (Office 365 and Office 2019) and Communications Training Officer (CTO).
What education do you need to become a parole officer?
What degree do you need to be a parole officer?
- Bachelor's, 75%
- Master's, 15%
- Associate, 8%
- High School Diploma, 1%
- Other Degrees, 1%
What should I major in to become a parole officer?
- Criminal Justice, 51%
- Psychology, 11%
- Sociology, 8%
- Social Work, 6%
- Other Majors, 24%
Most common colleges for parole officers
| Parole officer common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Sam Houston State University | 16.70% |
| Texas Southern University | 9.35% |
| Prairie View A & M University | 7.35% |
| Lamar University | 6.68% |
| University of Phoenix | 6.24% |
Best majors for parole officers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Criminal Justice | 50.5% |
| 2 | Psychology | 10.9% |
| 3 | Sociology | 7.9% |
| 4 | Social Work | 5.9% |
| 5 | Business | 4.4% |
Best colleges for parole officers
The best colleges for parole officers are Washington University in St Louis, Boston College, and Boston University.
A parole 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 parole 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 parole officers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Enrollment
31,503
2. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
3. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
In-state tuition
$11,207
Enrollment
30,905
4. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Enrollment
31,321
5. Howard University
Washington, DC • Private
In-state tuition
$26,756
Enrollment
6,166
6. SUNY at Albany
Albany, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$10,011
Enrollment
13,434
7. San Jose State University
San Jose, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,796
Enrollment
27,125
8. Coppin State University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-state tuition
$8,873
Enrollment
2,326
9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
20 best online courses for parole officers
Advertising disclosure
1. Introduction to International Criminal Law
-- About the Course -- From the Nuremberg trial to the case against Saddam Hussein, from the prosecution of Al-Qaeda terrorists to the trial of Somali pirates – no area of law is as important to world peace and security as international criminal law. Taught by one of the world’s leading experts in the field, this course will educate students about the fundamentals of international criminal law and policy. We will explore the contours of international crimes such as genocide, war crimes,...
2. History of Mental Illness
Our lexicon of mental illness is immense: There currently are hundreds of classified disorders and an extensive assortment of medications and therapies. This course explores the history of this productive science -- its discoveries, classifications, and treatments of psychiatric distress. The excursion begins with a general introduction and proceeds to explore 4 kinds of mental illness: neurasthenia, depression, attention deficits (ADD/ADHD), and narcissism. Each kind is examined in terms of...
3. Criminal Law in 120 Minutes: A Fast Track Course
A 2 hour fast track summary of Criminal Law, targeting all common law LL.B examinations!...
4. Forensic Psychology & Offender Profiling (Fully Accredited)
A Comprehensive Introduction to the use of Forensic Psychology in the investigation of Serious and Serial Crime...
5. Hot Topics in Criminal Justice
The American criminal justice system is in need of reform. We incarcerate too many people. We pay insufficient attention to scientific advances that can help separate out the most and least culpable and dangerous. We grant the police far too much power to use force and technological surveillance. As a way of thinking about dealing with these problems, this course examines two over-arching issues: What should we do with people who have committed crime, and how should we identify who they are? On...
6. Introduction to Criminal Psychology
Understand the Forensic Psychology of the Criminal Mind...
7. Criminology and Criminal Psychology Certified CSI+ Course
Learn Criminal Law and Start your career with certification of Criminal Law and Criminal Psychology, Learn Criminology...
8. Psychology of Criminal Behaviour & Criminology - ACCREDITED
Personality Disorders, Violence, Sex Offence, Murder, and other types of crime...
9. Effective Legal Office Administration
Effective Legal Office Administration...
10. Addiction & Mental Health - Chemically Speaking Two (2hrs)
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions - Understand Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health. How to help people...
11. Basic Certificate in Health Safety & Environment-HSE Level 2
A comprehensive course for Safety Officers, Supervisors, Managers and Aspiring Safety Professionals...
12. Addiction & Mental Health (Dual Diagnosis) Integrative 12hrs
Substance Abuse & Mental Health Interventions: Drug & Alcohol Addiction & Mental Health - Integrative Holistic Approach...
13. Forensic Psychology: Criminal Profiling Certificate
Criminology Crash Course...
14. ISO 45001. Occupational health & safety management system
Upgrate your health and safety career by understanding the requriements for an OH & S management system from ISO 45001...
15. Forensic Psychology - ACCREDITED CERTIFICATE
Become a specialist in criminal investigations and forensic profiling, start your career and add certificate to resume!...
16. Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO)
Certified Information Systems Security Officer (CISSO) Certification Exam Prep Course...
17. Complete Health and Safety Auditor Course. OHSAS 18001.
How to implement and audit a health & safety management system and obtain certification to OHSAS 18001 Standard...
18. Mental Health Ambassador Certificate
Be a leader in improving society's mental health and learn to provide mental health first aid...
19. Microsoft Office 365 Administration
Microsoft Office 365 Administration...
20. Public Relations: Media Crisis Communications
Public Relations: You Can Shape and Control Your Media Messages at The Worst Possible Times...
Top 10 most affordable universities for parole officers
The most affordable schools for parole officers are California State University - Long Beach, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.
If the best universities for parole 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 parole officers.
1. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
2. Hunter College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,182
Cost of attendance
13,998
3. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
4. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. California State University - Dominguez Hills
Carson, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,942
Cost of attendance
14,469
7. Florida International University
Miami, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,556
Cost of attendance
19,434
8. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,749
Cost of attendance
14,823
9. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
10. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for parole officers
The hardest universities for parole officers to get into are Washington University in St Louis, Boston College, and Boston University.
Some great schools for parole 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 parole 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. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
2. Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MA • Private
Admissions rate
28%
SAT average
1,429
3. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
4. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
5. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
Admissions rate
40%
SAT average
1,376
6. University of Chicago
Chicago, IL • Private
Admissions rate
7%
SAT average
1,520
7. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
8. University of Washington
Seattle, WA • Private
Admissions rate
49%
SAT average
1,347
9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,434
10. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for parole officers
The easiest schools for parole officers to get into are Nyack College, kean university, and bluefield college.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a parole 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 parole 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. Bluefield College
Bluefield, VA • Private
Admissions rate
95%
SAT average
980
4. The University of Texas Permian Basin
Odessa, TX • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,046
5. Saint Martin's University
Lacey, WA • Private
Admissions rate
96%
SAT average
1,111
6. Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
1,002
7. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
8. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
9. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
10. Gwynedd Mercy University
Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private
Admissions rate
92%
SAT average
1,031
Average parole officer salary by education level
| Parole officer education level | Parole officer salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $50,443 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $46,219 |
Parole officer education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common community and social services questions.
Search for parole officer jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025