College of Nursing
Unlock opportunities in correctional nursing with a Correctional Health Graduate Certificate
Correctional nursing is a specialized field that requires healthcare professionals to provide high-quality health care in secure environments such as prisons and detention centers. The Correctional Health Graduate Certificate at UNT Health Fort Worth equips healthcare workers with the skills needed in order to navigate the unique challenges of caring for incarcerated patients. This fully online program offers training in topics such as disease prevention, patient safety and clinical management within correctional settings. Designed for working professionals, the certificate provides a pathway to career advancement in correctional healthcare.
Earn a certificate in four courses in this fully online, flexible program.
Gain specialized skills in order to care for patients within secure settings.
Advance your career while maintaining your current job in healthcare.
Program Details
12 credit hours
Four courses
Eight-week courses
Online
Estimated tuition cost
Texas residents: About $6,700
Non-residents: About $11,800
Key outcomes
With the rising demand for correctional health professionals, this graduate certificate positions nurses to excel in a high-impact field while enhancing their ability to provide quality, compassionate care to underserved populations.
- Clinical knowledge
- Critical thinking and decision-making
- Leadership and professional growth
- Flexibility and career expansion
Pathway to MSN
Upon completion of the certificate, students earning a grade of B or better in each course who are admitted to the MSN in Nursing Practice Innovation program may apply all 12 credit hours to their degree.
Curriculum
- NURS 5340 Professional Roles and Responsibilities in the Correctional Environment
- NURS 5341 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
- NURS 5342 Promotion of Safe and Secure Healthcare in a Correctional Environment
- NURS 5343 Clinical Management of Incarcerated Patients
Students can complete a certificate in four eight-week semesters. All courses are delivered 100% online by nationally recognized faculty.
Admissions
Admission criteria
- Educational background: A bachelor from an accredited institution or current enrollment in a bachelor’s program
- Application submission: A completed online application through UNT Health’s admissions portal
- Submission of official transcripts from all previously attended institutions
- Statement of purpose: A written statement outlining topics such as career goals, interest in correctional health and how the certificate will support professional development
Additional considerations
- Work experience: While not required, previous experience in nursing, correctional health, public health or emergency care may strengthen an application.
- Technical requirements: Because the program is fully online, students must have access to a computer, reliable internet connection and basic proficiency with online learning platforms.
General Information
Correctional nursing is a specialized field of nursing that focuses on providing health care to individuals in correctional facilities such as jails, prisons and detention centers. A correctional nurse plays a critical role in delivering medical care, managing chronic conditions and addressing the unique health challenges faced by incarcerated populations.
Key aspects of correctional nursing
- Primary health care provider: Correctional nurses often serve as the first point of contact for incarcerated individuals needing medical attention. Being that, they assess and manage a wide range of conditions.
- Chronic disease management: Many patients have chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension and mental health disorders requiring consistent monitoring and treatment.
- Acute and emergency care: Correctional nurses must respond to medical emergencies such as injuries, overdoses and sudden illnesses.
- Mental health support: Incarcerated populations have high rates of mental health conditions. Therefore, correctional nurses work closely with mental health professionals to provide assessments, medication management and crisis intervention.
- Infection control and disease prevention: Because of the close quarters in correctional facilities, infection control is crucial. Correctional nurses play a key role in preventing and managing communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, hepatitis and COVID-19.
- Medication administration: Ensuring proper medication management is essential in correctional nursing, particularly for individuals with psychiatric and chronic conditions.
The unique challenges of correctional nursing
- Security protocols: Correctional nurses work in a highly regulated environment where patient interactions are guided by strict security procedures.
- Limited resources: Access to medical equipment and specialized care can seem restricted when compared with traditional healthcare settings.
- Ethical considerations: Correctional nurses must balance providing quality care while maintaining safety and security within the facility.
Why correctional nursing is important
Correctional nurses play a vital role in ensuring incarcerated individuals receive essential medical care, which not only improves individual health outcomes but also contributes to public health. Because many patients have had limited access to medical care before incarceration, correctional nurses are essential in addressing the need for quality health care.
Apply today in order to start your journey toward a rewarding career in correctional healthcare.
Correctional nursing is a unique field that differs from traditional nursing specialties in several key ways. While all nurses focus on patient care, correctional nurses work within secure environments, manage unique challenges and follow safety and security protocols that set their roles apart.
Safety and legal issues
Work environment
- Correctional nursing: Nurses provide care within correctional facilities such as jails, prisons and detention centers, which require strict adherence to security procedures and working alongside law enforcement personnel while following standard healthcare models.\
- Other nursing specialties: Most nurses work in environments such as hospitals, clinics, home health settings or private practices where patient access and care coordination follow standard healthcare models.
Safety and security protocols
- Correctional nursing: Nurses must follow strict safety guidelines, such as controlled medication distribution, emergency response within secured areas and interactions that balance patient care with facility security.
- Other nursing specialties: While safety is a concern in all nursing environments, traditional settings do not require the same level of security oversight when providing patient care.
Ethical and legal considerations
- Correctional nursing: In addition to patient autonomy and shared decision-making, correctional nurses must navigate ethical challenges, such as ensuring patient rights while working within strict, regulated institutional policies. Also confidentiality and informed consent may have additional legal considerations in a correctional environment.
- Other nursing specialties: Standard ethical practices can focus on patient autonomy and shared decision-making with families and care teams without the strict guidelines of correctional environments.
Patient care responsibilities
Patient population
- Correctional nursing: Patients are incarcerated individuals who often have unmet health needs such as chronic conditions, infectious diseases, substance use disorders and mental health issues. Many have not received regular health care before incarceration.
- Other nursing specialties: Patients typically seek care voluntarily, have varied backgrounds and may have better access to preventive health care before receiving medical attention.
Scope of care
- Correctional nursing: Provides both primary and emergency care, therefore often serving
as the first point of contact for medical issues.
- Manages communicable diseases, chronic illnesses and mental health concerns.
- Administers medications while ensuring compliance within a controlled setting.
- Prioritizes safety and security while delivering compassionate care.
- Other nursing specialties:
- Specializes in a focused area such as critical care, pediatrics or surgery.
- Works within structured teams that may include physicians and specialists readily available for consultations.
Professional autonomy
- Correctional nursing: Often requires independent decision-making due to limited access to immediate physician support. Nurses may have to assess and manage patients without direct supervision.
- Other nursing specialties: Many nurses work closely with physicians, specialists and interdisciplinary teams, with readily available resources for patient care.
Why choose correctional nursing?
- Offers a challenging work environment with opportunities for leadership.
- Provides a stable career path in an evolving healthcare sector.
- Allows nurses to make a meaningful impact on an underserved population.
Apply today in order to start your journey toward a career in correctional nursing.
Education
The Correctional Health Graduate Certificate program at UNT Health is designed in order to equip medical professionals with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to provide high-quality care in correctional settings. The curriculum covers key aspects of correctional healthcare such as professional responsibilities, disease prevention, patient safety and clinical management.
Curriculum and course descriptions
- Professional Role and Responsibilities in a Correctional Environment (NURS 5340)
- Ethical and legal considerations in correctional healthcare
- Security procedures and patient confidentiality
- The role of nurses in interdisciplinary correctional health teams
- Strategies for navigating ethical dilemmas in a secure setting
- Health Promotion and Disease Prevention of Incarcerated Patients (NURS 5341)
- Common chronic conditions among incarcerated populations (e.g., diabetes, hypertension, HIV/AIDS)
- Barriers to care in correctional facilities
- Preventive care strategies such as vaccinations and screenings
- Substance use disorder management and treatment programs
- Promotion of Safe and Secure Healthcare in a Correctional Environment (NURS 5342)
- Infection control measures in correctional settings
- Emergency response and crisis intervention in secure facilities
- Risk assessment and prevention of workplace violence
- Ensuring safety for both patients and health care providers
- Clinical Management of Incarcerated Patients (NURS 5343)
- Assessment and treatment of acute and chronic medical conditions
- Medication management and adherence strategies
- Mental healthcare such as suicide prevention and crisis intervention
- Special considerations for vulnerable populations such as juveniles and older patients
Benefits of the correctional nursing program
- Fully online, asynchronous format for flexibility
- Four eight-week courses of three credits each
- Taught by expert faculty from UNT Health’s College of Nursing
- Classes completed with a grade of B or better can be applied toward an MSN in Nursing Practice Innovation when a student is admitted to the master’s program.
Apply today in order to take the next step toward a specialized career in correctional nursing.
The Correctional Health Graduate Certificate at UNT Health is designed in order to be completed in four eight-week sessions, which allows students to gain specialized knowledge efficiently while balancing professional and personal commitments.
Program structure and timeline
- Course format: Four eight-week courses
- Delivery mode: Fully online, asynchronous (i.e. students can complete coursework on their own schedule)
- Credit hours: 12 total credit hours
Breakdown
- NURS 5340 – Professional Role and Responsibilities in a Correctional Environment
- NURS 5341 – Health Promotion and Disease Prevention of Incarcerated Patients
- NURS 5342 – Promotion of Safe and Secure Healthcare in a Correctional Environment
- NURS 5343 – Clinical Management of Incarcerated Patients
Flexibility for working professionals
- The program’s asynchronous online format allows students to complete coursework at their convenience.
- Courses are structured in order to accommodate full-time working nurses and other healthcare professionals.
Advancement opportunities
- If students earn a grade of B or better in all four courses, then they can apply the 12 credit hours toward UNT Health’s MSN in Nursing Practice Innovation when they’re admitted to the master’s program.
Apply today in order to advance your career in correctional nursing with a flexible, online graduate certificate program.
Program Details
The Correctional Health Graduate Certificate program at UNT Health is designed for medical professionals seeking specialized training in correctional healthcare. Therefore, applicants must meet specific academic and professional criteria in order to be considered for the program.
Minimum admission requirements
- Educational background: A bachelor from an accredited institution or current enrollment in a bachelor’s program
- Application submission: A completed online application through UNT Health’s admissions portal
- Submission of official transcripts from all previously attended institutions
- Statement of purpose: A written statement outlining topics such as career goals, interest in correctional health and how the certificate will support professional development
Additional considerations
- Work experience: While not required, previous experience in nursing, correctional health, public health or emergency care may strengthen an application.
- Technical requirements: Because the program is fully online, students must have access to a computer, reliable internet connection and basic proficiency with online learning platforms.
Pathway to further education
- If students complete the certificate program with a grade of B or better in all courses, then they may apply the 12 credit hours toward UNT Health’s MSN in Nursing Practice Innovation once they are admitted into the graduate program.
Apply today in order to take the next step toward specializing in correctional health.
The Correctional Health Graduate Certificate at UNT Health is a 12-credit hour program designed in order to provide specialized training in correctional healthcare. In brief, the estimated tuition for the entire program are as follows:
Estimated tuition
- Resident (in-state) students: Total estimated cost: Approximately $6,700
- Non-resident (out-of-state) students: Total estimated cost: Approximately $11,800
For the most current information, visit the Tuition and Fees page for this certificate.
Apply today in order to advance your career in correctional health with UNT Health’s specialized graduate certificate program.
Yes. In fact, the Correctional Health Graduate Certificate at UNT Health is designed in order to accommodate working professionals. The program’s structure and format allow students to balance their education with their professional and personal responsibilities.
Why this program is ideal for working professionals
- Fully online, asynchronous format
- The program is 100% online, therefore there are no required in-person classes.
- Students can complete coursework on their own schedule, thus making it easier to manage alongside a full-time job.
- Manageable course load
- The program consists of four courses taken in eight-week sessions.
- Assignments and deadlines are structured to be flexible, so students can pace their studies based on their work schedule.
- Support for working students
- Faculty members certainly understand the demands of working nurses and provide accessible support.
- Resources such as online lessons, discussion forums and recorded lectures allow for self-paced study.
- Tips for balancing work and study
- Create a study schedule: Allocate dedicated time each week for coursework.
- Take advantage of online resources: Use tools such as digital materials, recorded lectures and discussion boards for flexibility.
- Communicate with employers: Some workplaces may offer tuition reimbursement or schedule adjustments for continued education.
- Career advancement while you learn
- Many students apply what they learn immediately in their current roles.
- Completing the graduate certificate course can lead to new opportunities in correctional healthcare such as leadership and consulting positions.
Apply today in order to advance your career while maintaining your current job in healthcare.
Professional Development
The Correctional Health Graduate Certificate at UNT Health equips medical professionals with specialized skills and knowledge in order to prepare them for success in correctional healthcare. This program enhances clinical expertise, leadership abilities and the capacity to navigate the unique challenges of working in correctional settings.
Specialized training for correctional nursing
Clinical knowledge
- Chronic disease management: Learn how to manage conditions commonly seen in incarcerated populations such as hypertension, diabetes, HIV/AIDS and substance use disorders.
- Infection control and disease prevention: Develop skills to prevent and manage infectious diseases in correctional settings such as tuberculosis, hepatitis and COVID-19.
- Mental health and crisis intervention: Gain expertise in assessing and treating mental health conditions, implementing suicide prevention and managing behavioral crises.
Critical thinking and decision-making
- Independent patient assessment: Nurses in correctional settings often serve as the first point of medical contact, thus requiring strong clinical judgment and problem-solving skills.
- Emergency response skills: Learn to handle acute medical emergencies (e.g. injuries and overdose situations) within a secure environment.
- Ethical and legal considerations: Understand the ethical dilemmas unique to correctional nursing such as patient rights, informed consent and confidentiality within a secure setting.
Career advancement in correctional nursing
Leadership and professional growth
- Policy development and compliance: Gain insights into regulatory standards, correctional health policies and strategies for improving healthcare delivery in correctional facilities.
- Interdisciplinary collaboration: Learn how to work effectively with colleagues such as correctional officers, mental health professionals and medical teams to ensure patient care and security.
- Career advancement opportunities: This graduate certificate can open doors to leadership roles in correctional health in areas such as administration, policy-making and consulting.
Flexibility and career expansion
- Versatile career pathways: The skills gained can be applied not only in correctional facilities but also in public health, emergency nursing and leadership roles.
- Pathway to further education: If nurses complete the certificate with a B or better, then they can apply the 12 credit hours toward UNT Health’s MSN in Nursing Practice Innovation once they are admitted into the graduate program.
Why this graduate certificate matters
- With the rising demand for correctional health professionals, this graduate certificate positions nurses to excel in a high-impact field while enhancing their ability to provide quality, compassionate care to underserved populations.
Apply today in order to advance your nursing skills and career opportunities in correctional health.
Correctional nurses have multiple opportunities for continuing education to stay updated on best practices, enhance their expertise and advance their careers. These opportunities include additional certifications, professional development courses and conferences tailored to correctional healthcare.
Continuing education for correctional nurses
Certification programs
Earning a certification can enhance credibility, expand career opportunities and demonstrate specialized expertise in correctional nursing.
- Certified Correctional Health Professional – National Commission on Correctional Health
Care
- Available for nurses, physicians, mental health professionals and administrators.
- Requires passing an exam and maintaining continuing education credits.
- Certified Correctional Nurse – NCCHC
- A specialized certification exclusively for nurses working in correctional health.
- Validates expertise in patient care, security considerations and both legal and ethical issues in corrections.
- Requires RN licensure, experience in correctional nursing and an exam.
- American Correctional Association certifications
- Offers professional certifications in correctional nursing and healthcare administration.
- Focuses on best practices, policy compliance and correctional facility healthcare standards.
Other types of development in correctional nursing
Professional development and online courses
Several organizations offer continuing education courses for correctional nurses:
- NCCHC online learning and webinars
- Topics such as suicide prevention, mental health care in corrections, chronic disease management and infection control.
- Provides Continuing Education Units for license renewal.
- American Nurses Association – Correctional nursing courses
- Offers self-paced online courses covering topics such as legal, ethical and clinical aspects of correctional nursing.
National and regional conferences
Attending professional conferences helps correctional nurses stay updated on topics such as emerging trends, policies and best practices.
- NCCHC Correctional Health Conferences
- Hosts annual national conferences focused on correctional health standards and advancements.
- Includes opportunities such as workshops, networking opportunities and certification courses.
- American Correctional Association conferences
- Covers topics such as policy development, correctional healthcare administration and clinical challenges.
- American Correctional Nurses Association events
- Offers specialized training, resources and annual summits for correctional nurses.
Employer-sponsored training and tuition reimbursement
- Many correctional facilities provide on-the-job training, continuing education credits and tuition reimbursement for nurses seeking advanced education.
- Some state and federal correctional systems offer leadership development programs for healthcare professionals.
Why continuing education matters
- Enhances clinical and leadership skills in correctional healthcare.
- Keeps correctional nurses up to date with industry regulations, policies and best practices.
- Opens doors to career advancement, specialized roles and higher salaries.
Apply today to UNT Health in order to take the next step in your correctional health career with a specialized graduate certificate.
Correctional nurses can benefit from membership in professional organizations that provide education, networking opportunities, certifications and advocacy for nurses working in correctional healthcare. In addition, these organizations help correctional nurses stay informed about best practices, legal and ethical issues and career advancement opportunities.
National Commission on Correctional Health Care
- One of the leading organizations focused on improving healthcare standards in correctional facilities
- Provides certification programs such as:
- Certified Correctional Health Professional
- Certified Correctional Health Professional – Registered Nurse
- Offers continuing education, online learning and annual conferences tailored to correctional healthcare professionals
- Website: ncchc.org
American Correctional Nurses Association
- A professional organization dedicated specifically to correctional nurses
- Provides training programs, research and professional development resources
- Offers networking opportunities for correctional nurses to connect and share best practices
- Website: acna.nursingnetwork.com
American Nurses Association – Corrections Nursing Special Interest Group
- Advocates for correctional nurses within the broader nursing profession
- Provides access to policy updates, legal guidelines and continuing education courses related to correctional nursing
- Website: nursingworld.org
Academy of Correctional Health Professionals
- Focuses on supporting healthcare professionals working in correctional settings
- Provides access to newsletters, training, networking opportunities and industry best practices
- Website: correctionalhealth.org
American Correctional Association
- One of the oldest and most recognized organizations in the correctional field
- Offers conferences, training programs and policy guidance on correctional healthcare
- Provides opportunities for nurses to engage in policy development and leadership roles
- Website: aca.org
Why join a professional organization?
- Access to continuing education: Stay updated on best practices and industry standards.
- Professional networking: Connect with peers, mentors and experts in correctional nursing.
- Career advancement: Gain access to job opportunities, leadership training and certifications.
- Advocacy and policy updates: Stay informed about legal and ethical issues in correctional healthcare.
Apply today in order to take the next step toward a specialized career in correctional healthcare.
Career Outlook and Salary
Yes, correctional nurses are increasingly in demand due to rising healthcare needs in correctional settings and ongoing workforce shortages. As the incarcerated population grows and ages, correctional facilities face mounting pressure to provide comprehensive, consistent medical care. This creates steady job opportunities for trained healthcare professionals.
Why demand is rising
- Chronic illness and mental health needs
- Patients have higher rates of conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, HIV and mental illness.
- Facilities need skilled professionals to manage these issues and maintain continuity of care.
- Legal and regulatory requirements
- Correctional facilities are required to meet specific healthcare standards.
- Nurses ensure compliance by providing safe, ethical and timely care.
- Shortage of qualified nurses
- Nationwide nursing shortages are impacting all specialties, including corrections.
- Facilities are actively hiring and offering incentives to attract qualified professionals.
- Career security and opportunity
- Government agencies and private correctional systems offer long-term job security.
- Specialized training, such as UNT Health’s Correctional Health Graduate Certificate, can lead to higher-paying roles and career advancement.
Apply today in order to meet the growing need for skilled professionals in correctional healthcare.
Correctional nursing offers a meaningful career path with unique rewards and growth opportunities. Medical professionals who work in correctional facilities gain valuable skills, treat underserved populations and enjoy job stability in a growing field.
Key benefits of correctional nursing
- Serve a high-need population
- Incarcerated individuals often have limited access to prior health care.
- Nurses play a vital role in improving public health by addressing chronic illness, mental health issues and infectious disease.
- Develop specialized skills
- Gain experience in triage, emergency care, chronic disease management and behavioral health.
- Learn to work independently and make critical decisions in a secure environment.
- Opportunities for leadership and advancement
- Career paths may include charge nurse, nurse manager or healthcare administrator.
- The Correctional Health Graduate Certificate can also lead to consulting roles or can be applied toward a master’s degree in nursing.
- Job stability and competitive pay
- Growing demand for correctional health services supports a stable job market.
- Salaries are competitive and often come with state or federal benefits packages.
- Flexible work environments
- Facilities may offer predictable schedules, which may make work-life balance more achievable.
Apply today in order to unlock a stable and rewarding career in correctional healthcare.