CareerExplorer’s step-by-step guide on how to become a probation officer.
Is becoming a probation officer right for me?
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High School
Students considering a career as a probation officer should take the following courses in high school:
• English and Literature – to develop writing skills
• Math and Accounting – as probation officers are often responsible for financial recordkeeping
• Government, Social Studies, and Civics – to begin learning about the Constitution and social justice
Bachelor’s Degree
The vast majority of candidates seeking employment as a probation officer hold a Bachelor’s Degree. Relevant degree programs include criminal justice, criminology, psychology, behavioral science, sociology, social work, human services, human relations, and public administration.
Foundation courses generally include:
• Constitutional law
• Criminal Law
• Justice Studies
• Justice Administration
• Ethics
• Addiction Counseling
• Technology in Criminal Justice
Among the most common elective courses are:
• Oral and Written Communications
• Deviant Behavior
• Recidivism (reoffending)
In addition to classroom training, degree programs expose students to the challenging work environment of probation officers through simulations and field training. This field work also allows aspiring officers to begin building a network in the criminal justice community.
Master’s Degree (mandatory for some positions)
Applicants for probation officer positions with the Federal government may be required to hold a Master’s Degree in the socials sciences or criminal justice. This may also be the case for advanced positions with state and local law enforcement agencies.
Meet the basic national requirements
Probation officer job candidates in all U.S. states and judicial districts must meet these basic requirements:
• Be between 20 and 38 years of age
• Be in superior physical, emotional, and mental health
• Be a U.S. citizen
• Possess a valid driver’s license
• Have no felony convictions
Meet specific jurisdictional requirements
After completing the initial screening and selection process, probation officer job candidates qualify for pre-employment training. While the length of this phase varies, it typically comprises instruction in district policy; court routines; report writing; first aid and CPR; surveillance and investigation; handling of firearms; and defensive tactics. Candidates also learn how to monitor probationees and may be encouraged to focus on a specific kind of casework based on demonstrated abilities.
Most jurisdictions require active probation officers to undergo a certain number of continuing education hours each year. This education focuses on ethics and changes to the law.
Newly hired officers with the Federal government must complete mandatory new officer orientation at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center (FLETC) in South Carolina. The six-week training program prepares probation officers for their responsibilities as a supervisor. After reporting to duty at their assigned district, officers typically continue with on-the-job training.
To review specific state and district regulations concerning qualifications, pre-employment in-service training, certification exams, new-hire probationary periods, and continuing education requirements, click here.
Resources
These professional organizations are dedicated to educating, advocating for, and empowering probation, parole, and corrections officers:
American Probation and Parole Association
American Correctional Association
Federal Probation and Pretrial Officers Association
National Institute of Corrections](https://nicic.gov/)
How to become a Probation Officer
The minimum education requirement to work as a probation officer is a Bachelor’s Degree in a human service field. The most common undergraduate majors in the field is social work and criminal justice. Other options include sociology, criminology, and psychology. A Master’s Degree is typically needed for advanced positions. Some very senior roles require a Doctorate.
Specific training and background requirements vary based on jurisdiction and employer. Applicants for probation officer jobs may be required to have experience in a related field such as pre-trial services, parole, counseling, corrections, criminal investigation, or substance abuse treatment. Regardless of their education and experience, most newly hired probation officers complete an employer- mandated training program to prepare them for the specific demands of their role. In many cases, they must work as trainees or on a probationary period for up to one year before being offered a permanent position.
Newly hired officers with the Federal government must complete six weeks of mandatory officer orientation at the Federal Law Enforcement Training Center. The may also be required to hold a Master’s Degree.
All probation officer applicants undergo physical and mental health exams and must pass a competency exam, a criminal background check, and a drug test.
Some probation officers go on to train for and specialize in a certain type of casework. For example, an officer may work only with domestic violence offenders or deal only with sex offenses or substance-abuse cases.