Juvenile & Correctional Counselor

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“Providing mental health services to justice-involved people is critical given the number of individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use concerns compared to the general population. We have such a large group of vulnerable people that need support, and the work correctional mental health counselors do is incredibly important.”

Madison Hollar, MA, Director at Court Clinic Treatment (Cincinnati, Ohio)

In 2020, the most recent data available as of September 2024, approximately 424,300 youth under the age of 18 were arrested in the U.S., according to the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention. The primary crimes committed were simple assault, theft, drug abuse violations, violent crimes (including murder, robbery, and aggravated assault), and disorderly conduct. Since 1993, the number of juvenile arrests has been on a steady decline, primarily due to prevention systems aimed at helping troubled youth before they offend or change their behavior before committing crimes that require incarceration.

Juvenile and correctional counselors are essential in helping delinquent youth change their behavior and avoid future arrests or incarceration. These specialized counselors work primarily in juvenile detention centers, although some work in social service programs with delinquent youth who have been incarcerated. It should be noted that juvenile and correctional counselors are not licensed mental health counselors.

Juvenile and correctional counselors typically have a certificate, associate’s, or bachelor’s degree in juvenile corrections, criminal justice, social work, or a related field. They often must complete state-required training in corrections and juvenile offenders.

Openings in this career are projected to grow 4 percent nationally between 2022 and 2032, which is the same as the anticipated average for all jobs during the same period (BLS 2024). However, substance abuse, behavioral disorder, and mental health counselor openings are expected to grow 19 percent in the same decade (BLS 2024). Many juvenile and correctional counselors can fall into that category, particularly if working in social services rather than at a detention center.

There are many ways to become a juvenile and correctional counselor and make a difference in delinquent youth’s lives. Continue reading to learn about the necessary education, training, certification, and licensing.

Meet the Expert: Jordan McCoy, PhD

Dr. Jordan McCoy is a recent doctoral graduate of the University of Cincinnati counselor education and supervision program. She was a graduate research assistant for the UC Evaluation Services Center. She also received her master’s degree in mental health counseling from UC and is a licensed professional counselor in Ohio.

Dr. McCoy’s previous clinical experience includes working in agencies, jail-based therapy, halfway houses, and private practice. She has conducted assessments and provided individual and group counseling. She has worked with clients surrounding addiction, prison-based issues, anger management, and others. Her research interest includes inmate and offender populations struggling with mental health, substance abuse, and suicide.

Dr. McCoy is currently working as a counselor with clients in diversion programs (drug, mental health, veterans’ court) diagnosed with mental health, substance use, and other co-occurring disorders while also doing community and jail-based assessments and mental health sessions. She completed her dissertation focusing on the perceptions of mental health treatment in incarcerated settings at a male facility within the Ohio region.

CounselingSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about correctional mental health counselors?

Dr. McCoy: What I wish the public understood is that those within the justice system deserve help just like anyone else. There’s a lot of bias around working with this population and mental health.

I wish other counselors and the public knew about how rewarding working with this population could be. While it can be difficult, seeing people change for the better is such a great thing to see. When you peel back the perceived hard exterior, you recognize they’re just like anyone else who deserves a chance.

CounselingSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring correctional mental health counseling students?

Dr. McCoy: My advice would be to shadow someone. Find a place in your community that provides care to those in corrections and arrange a shadow. Also, it’s important to let your biases go. Seeing a person’s charges doesn’t dictate how they will act and if you aren’t willing to give them a chance, they can sense that. You may have to work a little harder to get them to trust you but when they do, it’ll be worth it.

Meet the Expert: Madison Hollar, MA

Madison Hollar is a doctoral candidate in the counselor education and supervision program at the University of Cincinnati and is the director at Court Clinic Treatment, a non-profit treatment agency in Cincinnati, Ohio. Hollar received both her bachelor of science in substance abuse counseling and master of arts in clinical mental health counseling from the University of Cincinnati. She is a licensed professional clinical counselor supervisor and serves justice-involved individuals with co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders.

Hollar’s research focuses on clinical work with justice-involved individuals and supporting individuals post-incarceration through interdisciplinary collaboration. She has spent the last six years working with justice-involved people in a clinical setting and is very passionate about advocacy and leadership within the field.

CounselingSchools.com: What do you wish the public understood about correctional mental health counselors?

Hollar: I wish the public recognized the importance of this work and how challenging it can be. Providing mental health services to justice-involved people is critical, given the number of individuals experiencing mental health and/or substance use concerns compared to the general population. We have such a large group of vulnerable people who need support, and the work correctional mental health counselors do is incredibly important.

If we can make access to these services more accessible, it could make a huge difference. Sometimes, stigma associated with justice involvement impairs the public’s perception of this population and the stigma is something we really need to change to better support justice-involved individuals through behavioral health services.

CounselingSchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring correctional mental health counseling students?

My advice to aspiring correctional mental health counseling students would be to pursue any advocacy opportunities possible. We have the privilege to advocate with and on behalf of clients involved in the justice system, and that is not something to take lightly. I always encourage any counseling student to engage in their own counseling as well because it is difficult to work in the helping profession in general. Adding the layer of justice involvement with our clients sometimes makes it a bit more challenging, but so, so rewarding.

I cannot imagine myself in any other line of work. I truly love working with this population, and having the honor of listening to their stories while empowering them is a feeling I can’t describe.

How to Become a Juvenile & Correctional Counselor

Education & Training to Become a Juvenile & Correctional Counselor

While professionals who work with delinquent youth are often called juvenile and correctional counselors, they are not necessarily licensed mental health therapists. However, they provide similar services to their clients, such as meeting one-on-one with youth to determine long-term goals, setting goals, teaching skills to reach those goals, and assisting with accessing social services.

Education requirements for juvenile and correctional counselors vary based on state and employer requirements. At a minimum, aspiring juvenile and correctional counselors must graduate from high school and obtain a GED. This not only demonstrates a minimum level of education but also shows dedication to completing a course of study.

Aspiring professionals with a diploma or GED can complete a one-year certificate or two-year associate’s degree in juvenile corrections. These programs are offered at community and junior colleges across the country.

For example, Central Oregon Community College has a one-year certificate in juvenile corrections that prepares participants for work with juvenile offenders. Students can complete the certificate or continue for an additional year to earn an associate’s degree. Required coursework includes youth and addictions, a survey of the criminal justice system, and an introduction to criminology. Students must also complete a supervised work experience.

Many juvenile and correctional counselors go on to earn a bachelor’s degree in social work, psychology, behavioral sciences, criminal justice, or a related field. Students should focus on classes that help them gain the skills necessary to work with youth offenders, including psychology, child development, sociology, and education.

One such program is offered at Bellevue University in Bellevue, Nebraska. Students can complete an online bachelor’s of science in child protection and juvenile justice, where they will learn to work with at-risk youth who are facing addiction, poverty, abuse, mental illness, or other issues.

Most states require professionals to complete a training course before working in juvenile corrections. These programs vary in length and intensity and may be paid or unpaid. In California, for example, juvenile and correctional counselors must complete a Standards and Training for Corrections (STC) Juvenile Corrections Officer Core Course. Upon completion of the 160-hour course, students must pass a proficiency exam.

Supervised Hour Requirements for Juvenile & Correctional Counselors

Many counseling certifications and licenses require candidates to complete supervised work experience. Juvenile and correctional counselors typically do not have to complete a set number of supervised work hours to work in this field. However, requirements vary by state and employer, so candidates should check with their local board to ensure they meet the requirements.

Students who complete a course in juvenile justice will often be required to complete supervised work experience as part of their graduation requirements. At West Georgia Technical College in Carrollton, Georgia, students in the associate’s in applied science (AAS) in criminal justice technology degree program must complete three semester-credits in an internship or practicum. This provides students with unique insight into the profession while still completing their studies, as well as gaining hands-on experience that can help secure employment upon completion of the program.

To become an American Correctional Association (ACA) certified Certified Corrections Officers/Juvenile (CCO/JUV), applicants must have at least one year of work experience as a corrections officer and have completed high school or a GED. This voluntary certification demonstrates competency in this field and can help with advancement opportunities or in securing employment.

Licensure and Certification for Juvenile & Correctional Counselors

The primary certification juvenile and correctional counselors earn is the American Correctional Association (ACA) Certified Corrections Officers/Juvenile (CCO/JUV) certificate. To be eligible for this certification, candidates must have a high school diploma or GED and one year of work experience in juvenile corrections. Candidates must submit an application for certification along with an application fee. The fee for the exam is $150 for ACA members or $190 for non-members. Fees also vary depending on the level of exam, with supervisor, manager, executive, and behavioral health certifications all having higher cost burdens than an officer level exam.

Once the application is approved, candidates will be able to sit for the certification exam. The exam consists of 200 multiple choice questions and must be completed in four hours. Candidates must pass the exam with at least 70 percent or higher to earn the CCO/JUV certification. A score of 90 percent or higher earns the candidate an honors credential.

Licensing requirements for juvenile and correctional counselors vary by state. Some states require juvenile and correctional counselors to be peace officers and pass the required training. Nearly all employers and states require juvenile corrections officers to have CPR and first aid certification as well as pass a background check and drug test. In some states, candidates must pass a fitness test and a medical exam to ensure they are physically fit to perform the required job duties.

Depending on the job or state requirements, candidates may be required to pass a psychological test as well to determine if they are mentally and emotionally capable of providing services to delinquent youth. Candidates must also meet minimum age requirements, which is at least 21 years of age for many states.

The requirements to become a youth correctional counselor in the state of California are:

Have one year of work experience as a juvenile correctional officer, or a four-year degree or a two-year degree and two years of experience working with youth
Have a high school diploma or GED
Be at least 21 years old
Pass a background check
Have no restrictions from carrying a firearm for employment-related purposes
Pass a medical exam
Pass a drug test
Successful completion of a training course in laws of arrest, search and seizure, and in firearms and chemical agents
Be a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident

What Do Juvenile & Correctional Counselors Do?

Juvenile and correctional counselors work primarily in state or local juvenile detention centers. However, a few are employed in social services, assisting youth before entering or after leaving a detention center. Day-to-day duties can include:

Meeting with juvenile offenders and their families to determine needs and goals
Evaluating the client’s mental health with the use of psychological tests and questionnaires
Counseling clients on behavior changes to help meet their goals
Providing referrals to psychological, health, and social services
Facilitating group counseling sessions
Assisting clients with the transition to life outside of detention
Writing reports on client progress and mental health for prosecutors and judges
Making recommendations on treatment, sentencing, and release of clients
Maintaining client records

How Much Do Juvenile & Correctional Counselors Make?

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) classifies juvenile and correctional counselors as probation officers and correctional treatment specialists. Here are the number of professionals in this field and the percentages for wages based on the BLS data from May 2023—the latest figures available as of September 2024:

Number employed in the US: 85,870
Average annual salary (mean): $67,880
10th percentile: $41,700
25th percentile: $48,800
50th percentile (median): $61,800
75th percentile: $82,040
90th percentile: $105,220

According to BLS projections, jobs for probation officers and correctional treatment specialists are anticipated to grow three percent between 2022 and 2032. This is the same as the average growth rate for all occupations.

Juvenile & Correctional Counselor Professional Associations & Resources

American Correctional Association (ACA)
Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (OJJDP)
Youth.gov
National Training and Technical Assistance Center (NTTAC)
National Partnership For Juvenile Services (NPJS)
Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP)
The American Jail Association (AJA)
Correctional Peace Officers Foundation (CPOF)
United States Department of Justice (DOJ)
Corrections USA (CUSA)
American Probation and Parole Association (APPA)
Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association (FLEOA)
National Institute of Corrections (NIC)

Kimmy Gustafson

Writer

At CounselingSchools.com, Kimmy Gustafson’s expertly crafted articles delve into the world of counseling and mental health, providing valuable insights and guidance to readers since 2020. In addition to feature pieces and interviews, she keeps the state licensing tables current. Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.