How to Become a Correctional Treatment Specialist
Written by:
Wilson College
• Jul 17, 2026
Navigating the criminal justice system can be difficult, especially for those struggling with mental health issues. A significant number of those in prison experience some type of mental health issue. For example, though 1 in 5 American adults overall experience a mental illness each year, 2 out of 5 incarcerated people have experienced mental illness, according to the National Alliance on Mental Illness. Issues like substance abuse can increase the rate of recidivism among those who have committed crimes, resulting in former inmates returning to prison after their release.
Professionals such as correctional treatment specialists help reduce these rates by working directly with inmates to help them successfully exit prison and reintegrate into society. These specialists, like other professionals with a background in psychology , apply their understanding of sociology and human behavior to the work of helping criminal justice-involved individuals move forward in their lives.
Becoming a correctional treatment specialist requires gaining the right undergraduate education to meet employers’ expectations. Earning a bachelor’s degree in psychology can help individuals prepare for this rewarding role.
What Does a Correctional Treatment Specialist Do?
Correctional treatment specialists, also called correctional case managers, work to rehabilitate incarcerated individuals and help them reintegrate into society upon their release from prison. These professionals provide services such as counseling and job training to help the formerly incarcerated find housing and employment. They often work alongside professionals in parole offices and other agencies to coordinate plans for inmates’ release that minimize the risk of recidivism.
Correctional treatment specialists’ duties consist of regularly communicating with their inmate clients to identify the behaviors that led to their incarceration. Based on this information they create treatment plans, such as recommendations for cognitive or behavioral therapy , that can help them cope with their anger issues, other mental health problems, or the root causes of their substance abuse. They also provide their clients with resources for further assistance and ensure that their documentation is correctly maintained and filed.
These specialists typically work in state and local prisons, frequently traveling to meet with clients who are in different locations or are actively on parole. They also work in federal correctional facilities, such as those run by the Federal Bureau of Prisons. Some focus on clients with a specific history, such as domestic violence offenders or juvenile offenders, while others work as generalists with a variety of types of clients.
Requirements to Become a Correctional Treatment Specialist
Many employers require correctional treatment specialists to hold a bachelor’s degree at a minimum. Additionally, experience within the criminal justice system may be expected. Specific skills and certification requirements vary by employer and position.
Education
While some correctional treatment specialist positions may be available to those with an associate degree, most employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, criminal justice, or social work. The programs for these degrees often include courses in social psychology and sociology, which can help specialists understand the causes of inmates’ behaviors and identify treatment plans that can help them not only avoid reoffending but also thrive.
Becoming a correctional treatment specialist typically doesn’t require an education higher than an undergraduate degree. However, supervisor roles or other senior-level positions may require an advanced degree.
Experience, Training, and Certification
While it varies among employers, some prefer correctional treatment specialists to have experience in the criminal justice system, such as time spent working in corrections or in a parole office. Some roles may require individuals to complete one year as a correctional treatment specialist trainee before gaining full employment.
Additionally, many local, state, and federal government positions require that specialists undergo a sponsored training program and pass a certification exam. Both the training and certification requirements vary among types and locations of employers.
Obtaining an additional certification such as the commission for case manager certification (CCMC) can help applicants stand out by demonstrating their expertise in the field. The CCMC credential requires passing a 180-question exam that can be retaken up to three times in a year.
Key Skills
Correctional treatment specialists need certain skills to succeed in their work, and developing these skills may lead to employment opportunities for aspiring specialists. Skills are needed in areas that include:
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Communication
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Adaptability
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Leadership
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Human psychology knowledge
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Criminal justice system expertise
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Analysis
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Empathy
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Organization
Correctional Treatment Specialist Salary and Job Outlook
The median annual probation officer and correctional treatment specialist salary in 2024 was $64,520, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)—notably higher than the median annual salary of $49,500 for all occupations. Salaries can vary based on an individual’s experience, geographical location, and type of employer.
The BLS projects that positions for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists will increase by 3% between 2024 and 2034, which is equivalent to the average growth projected for all occupations. Job growth for correctional treatment specialists will largely depend on available funding for correctional facilities at the local and state levels, particularly on the amounts allotted to parole and probation programs.
Make a Difference With a Psychology Degree
Becoming a correctional treatment specialist can lead to a career where you can make an impact on those in the criminal justice system, reducing their recidivism and helping them find a way to return to and improve their local communities. Enrolling in Wilson College Online’s Bachelor of Arts in Psychology degree program can enable you to gain the foundation you’ll need to succeed in the role.
With courses in psychology, social psychology, and sociology, the program teaches students about the human mind and how to identify ways to assist justice-involved individuals. The average completion time for the program is three to four years, meaning that students can graduate and join the workplace quickly. Additionally, the online format allows students to meet their other obligations while furthering their education.
Take the first step toward a career improving the lives of others with Wilson College Online.
Recommended Readings
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Sources:
Association of Social Work Boards, Home
Commission for Case Manager Certification, Get Certified
Indeed, “How to Become a Correctional Case Manager”
National Alliance on Mental Illness, “Mental Health by the Numbers”
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists
