How to Get Training to Become a Probation Officer
If you have an interest in criminal justice, social work, psychology, or law enforcement, you may want to consider a probation officer career. As a probation officer, you work with offenders who, rather than being sent to jail or prison, are placed on probation. Much of your work will involve coordinating the requirements of courts, the interests of offenders' families, and your assessments of the offenders to determine what requirements to impose on them. Your efforts will give offenders opportunity for rehabilitation and at the same time help to ensure the safety of your community. Probation officer training usually begins with an undergraduate, and sometimes a master's, degree. During your education, you can expect to gain an understanding of subjects like narcotics, court processes, laws, investigation, community relations, interviewing, ethics, and report writing.

Types of Jobs Available to You
After gaining employment as a probation officer and passing your agency's training, you will have the opportunity for promotion to positions of greater responsibility, including supervisory roles. Master's degrees are especially helpful if you are seeking advancement. Probation officer training can also prepare you for other closely related positions such as parole officer or correctional treatment specialist. As a parole officer you would manage and monitor those who have been released from prison, facilitating their reentry into society. As a correctional treatment specialist you would assess inmates, coordinate their individual growth, and work with parole officers before their release.