Post job

Prison classification counselor education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a prison classification counselor. Prison classification counselors usually study criminal justice, psychology, or counseling psychology. 56% of prison classification counselors hold a bachelor's degree, and 26% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 53 real prison classification counselor resumes to see exactly what prison classification counselor education sections show.

The most common colleges for prison classification counselors are the Ferris State University and the Ferris State University.

There are also many online prison classification counselor courses to help get the education required to be a prison classification counselor.

What education do you need to become a prison classification counselor?

What degree do you need to be a prison classification counselor?

The most common degree for prison classification counselors is bachelor's degree, with 56% of prison classification counselors earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 26% and master's degree degree at 18%.
  • Bachelor's, 56%
  • Master's, 26%
  • Associate, 18%

What should I major in to become a prison classification counselor?

You should major in criminal justice to become a prison classification counselor. 40% of prison classification counselors major in criminal justice. Other common majors for a prison classification counselor include psychology and counseling psychology.

Most common colleges for prison classification counselors

Prison classification counselors often get their degrees at Ferris State University, University of Phoenix, and Eastern Michigan University. Here are the most common colleges for prison classification counselors in the US based on their resumes.
Prison classification counselor common collegePercentages
Ferris State University16.67%
University of Phoenix8.33%
Eastern Michigan University4.17%
Jackson College4.17%
Columbus State University4.17%

Best majors for prison classification counselors

Best colleges for prison classification counselors

The best colleges for prison classification counselors are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.

A prison classification counselor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for prison classification counselors. 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 prison classification counselors.

1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

2. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

3. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$53,948

Enrollment

17,238

4. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

5. SUNY at Binghamton

Vestal, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,808

Enrollment

13,990

6. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

7. San Diego State University

San Diego, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,488

Enrollment

30,018

8. SUNY at Albany

Albany, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$10,011

Enrollment

13,434

9. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

10. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

20 best online courses for prison classification counselors

Advertising disclosure

1. Regression and Classification

coursera

Introduction to Statistical Learning will explore concepts in statistical modeling, such as when to use certain models, how to tune those models, and if other options will provide certain trade-offs. We will cover Regression, Classification, Trees, Resampling, Unsupervised techniques, and much more! This course can be taken for academic credit as part of CU Boulder’s Master of Science in Data Science (MS-DS) degree offered on the Coursera platform. The MS-DS is an interdisciplinary degree that...

2. Supervised Machine Learning: Classification

coursera

This course introduces you to one of the main types of modeling families of supervised Machine Learning: Classification. You will learn how to train predictive models to classify categorical outcomes and how to use error metrics to compare across different models. The hands-on section of this course focuses on using best practices for classification, including train and test splits, and handling data sets with unbalanced classes. By the end of this course you should be able to: -Differentiate...

3. Crisis Intervention Seminar

udemy
4.4
(634)

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

4. Machine Learning for Data Analysis: Classification Modeling

udemy
4.7
(439)

Machine Learning made simple with Excel! Classification for advanced data analysis & business intelligence (no coding!)...

5. Scikit-Learn For Machine Learning Classification Problems

coursera

Hello everyone and welcome to this new hands-on project on Scikit-Learn Library for solving machine learning classification problems. In this project, we will learn how to build and train classifier models using Scikit-Learn library. Scikit-learn is a free machine learning library developed for python. Scikit-learn offers several algorithms for classification, regression, and clustering. Several famous machine learning models are included such as support vector machines, random forests,...

6. Language Classification with Naive Bayes in Python

coursera

In this 1-hour long project, you will learn how to clean and preprocess data for language classification. You will learn some theory behind Naive Bayes Modeling, and the impact that class imbalance of training data has on classification performance. You will learn how to use subword units to further mitigate the negative effects of class imbalance, and build an even better model...

7. Positive Psychology Accredited Coach Diploma: [Level 2]

udemy
4.7
(282)

Prerequisite for Business Coach Level 3 AND One of the Nine Prerequisites Required for Positive Psychology Master Coach...

8. Certified Spiritual Counselor & Psychology EmpathACCREDITED

udemy
4.7
(301)

Use a humanistic, soul care approach using strategy, positive psychology, emotional/impulse responses & natural empathy...

9. Support Vector Machine Classification in Python

coursera

In this 1-hour long guided project-based course, you will learn how to use Python to implement a Support Vector Machine algorithm for classification. This type of algorithm classifies output data and makes predictions. The output of this model is a set of visualized scattered plots separated with a straight line. You will learn the fundamental theory and practical illustrations behind Support Vector Machines and learn to fit, examine, and utilize supervised Classification models using SVM to...

10. Decision Tree and Random Forest Classification using Julia

coursera

This guided project is about glass classification using decision tree classification and random forest classification in Julia. It is ideal for beginners who do not know what decision trees or random forests are because this project explains these concepts in simple terms. While you are watching me code, you will get a cloud desktop with all the required software pre-installed. This will allow you to code along with me. After all, we learn best with active, hands-on learning. Special features:...

11. Python PCEP: Become Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer

udemy
4.6
(3,834)

Learn Python from scratch and pass the PCEP exam (Certified Entry-Level Python Programmer)...

12. [Accredited] Dialectical Behavioral Therapy (DBT) Counselor

udemy
4.3
(419)

Learn DBT in depth, start conducting sessions with ready to use templates, and set up counseling practice within weeks!...

13. Classification and valuation - What you must know!

coursera

This is the second course in Tax Academy's Customs Certification. This certification would provide you with relevant skills to apply Customs knowledge in less than two months. In this course, you will build upon your knowledge on legal principles of classification and valuation of goods. Once you are able to correctly classify and declare the value of goods, you will be able to take accurate decisions about Customs duty payment and ascertain other compliance requirements. Correct classification...

14. Value and Individual Decision Making

coursera

This course is part of a Specialization titled “Strategy and Finance for a Lifecycle of a Social Business”. It is an introduction to time value of money and will help the learner understand the basics of finance with the ultimate goal of valuing a company from a societal lens. The beauty of the modern decision-making framework is that it can be used to understand value creation at any level – the individual, the corporate or nonprofit entity level and from the point of view of society. The...

15. Professional Certification in Counseling - Fully Accredited

udemy
4.2
(386)

Become Professional Counselor (Counsellor)...

16. Company Valuation & Financial Modeling

udemy
4.6
(3,485)

Learn comprehensive financial modeling, forecasting and business valuation techniques for Finance professionals...

17. Addiction Treatment: Clinical Skills for Healthcare Providers

coursera

This course is designed with a singular goal: to improve the care you provide to your patients with substance use disorders. By delving into a model case performed by actors, seven Yale instructors from various fields provide techniques to screen your patients for substance use disorder risk, diagnose patients to gauge the severity of their use, directly manage treatment plans, refer out to treatment services, and navigate the various conditions that may limit your patient’s access to treatment...

18. Complete Google Certified Educator Level 1 and 2 Masterclass

udemy
4.2
(590)

Google Certified Educator Level 1 and 2 Training - Mastering Google Classroom - G Suite - Teaching Online - Google Drive...

19. PCEP-30-01: Certified Entry-Level Practice Tests Certificate

udemy
4.6
(428)

Pass Python PCEP certification in 1st attempt. Six sets with exact (Python PCEP-30-01) types Questions with explanations...

20. Certificate in Positive Psychology and Happiness Accredited

udemy
4.6
(640)

Psychology of Happiness AND One of the Nine Prerequisites Required for the Positive Psychology Master Coach Diploma...

Top 10 most affordable universities for prison classification counselors

The most affordable schools for prison classification counselors are California State University - Long Beach, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for prison classification counselors 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 prison classification counselors.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

5. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

8. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

9. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

10. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for prison classification counselors

The hardest universities for prison classification counselors to get into are University of Pennsylvania, Northwestern University, and University of Southern California.

Some great schools for prison classification counselors 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 prison classification counselors 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. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

13%

SAT average

1,445

4. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

5. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

6. New York University

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

20%

SAT average

1,419

7. Boston University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

22%

SAT average

1,420

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

9. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

10. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,398

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for prison classification counselors

The easiest schools for prison classification counselors to get into are Kean University, nyack college, and notre dame de namur university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a prison classification counselor 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 prison classification counselors.

1. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

2. Nyack College

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

999

3. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

4. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

5. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

6. Texas Woman's University

Denton, TX • Private

Admissions rate

87%

SAT average

1,059

7. University of Baltimore

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,020

8. Fresno Pacific University

Fresno, CA • Private

Admissions rate

85%

SAT average

1,053

9. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

10. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

Average prison classification counselor salary by education level

According to our data, prison classification counselors with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $56,677 annually. Prison classification counselors with a Bachelor's degree earn an average annual salary of $48,959.
Prison classification counselor education levelPrison classification counselor salary
Master's Degree$56,677
Bachelor's Degree$48,959

Prison classification counselor education FAQs

Search for prison classification counselor jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

Browse community and social services jobs