The Corrections programs offered at GRCC prepare students to serve as adult corrections officers in prisons and jails, patient care providers in psychiatric inpatient facilities, counselors in halfway houses, residential advisors in probation and patrol centers, and probation or parole officers. It also serves to enhance the skills of people currently employed in correctional settings.
Corrections officers are charged with the safekeeping of people who have been arrested, are awaiting trial or who have been tried and convicted of a crime and are sentenced to serve time in a correctional institution. The Correctional Officer Training Act requires that specific college courses and academy training are necessary to certify individuals as correctional officers.
This Corrections, A.A.A.S. program prepares students to work in the field of corrections. The Corrections, A.A.A.S. offers two options for students to choose from – Sheriff’s Corrections Academy and General Corrections. Both options prepare students to work as corrections officers within the state prison system and lead to the Michigan Corrections Officer Training Council Certificate (MCOTC).
Students can enroll in the General Education and Program Courses outlined in the GRCC catalog at any time, with the exception of CJ 275 . Students who are successfully admitted to the Sheriff’s Corrections Academy would follow the Sheriff’s Corrections Academy option to complete their AAAS degree requirements. Students who do not intend to complete the academy should take the courses included the General Corrections Option.
SHERIFF’S CORRECTIONS ACADEMY OPTION
The Sheriff’s Corrections Academy option prepares students to work as corrections officers within the local jails, and meets the requirements of the Michigan Sheriff’s Coordinating and Training Council (MSCTC). GRCC’s Sheriff’s Corrections Academy is a selective admission program. It is offered both as a stand-alone certificate as well as an option within the Corrections AAAS degree.
After admission to the college, students may apply to the Sheriff’s Corrections Academy at any time; please note entry in to the academy is not guaranteed due to the selective admission process.
Students are advised to contact the GRCC Corrections Training Coordinator, for additional information about academy admissions requirements.
GENERAL CORRECTIONS OPTION
The General Corrections option prepares students to work as corrections officers at the state level in prisons, along with areas such as community corrections, probation or parole. Students pursuing this option should take the courses in the General Corrections option outlined in the GRCC catalog to complete their A.A.A.S. requirements.
Please note: Employment within the Criminal Justice field may be delayed or denied depending on a history of convictions involving felonies, misdemeanors and/or involving controlled substances.