The truth is that online prison education programs are hard to come by. When putting this article together, we felt sure that there must be
some courses out there designed specifically for you as an incarcerated or formerly incarcerated individual. We've scoured the internet, search engines, college websites, and more in search of online distance learning that caters to those with limited or heavily-restricted internet access. However, finding such programs is next to impossible, even in an age where the internet is everywhere.The good news is that there is a
vast range of online bachelor's degrees, master's degrees, certificates, and other qualifications that you can study online, offered by institutions across the U.S. As a formerly incarcerated prospective student, you'll be able to access these courses like any other student. But if you're incarcerated, whether you can access these courses will heavily depend on the correctional institution that you're housed in and their policy toward internet use on-site.So, we've taken a slightly different angle. Below, you'll find a little background information to help you understand the country's attitude towards internet use in prisons and why accessing online courses is very difficult—as well as some positive news on how this attitude is slowly changing. You'll also find a list of some of the top distance learning institutions in the country, as well as a breakdown of the best industries for finding meaningful employment after release from prison. If you're looking to start over and build a career, then studying in one of these fields can start you off on the right foot.
Internet Access Inside Correctional Facilities
Until recent years, internet access inside of U.S. correctional facilities was practically non-existent. Compared to other countries, some of which allow inmates to go online for varying reasons, the U.S. has always been relatively strict, disallowing the internet even for educational purposes.
In February of 2009, the Federal Bureau of Prisons implemented something known as the Trust Fund Limited Inmate Computer System, or TRULINCS. Through TRULINCS, inmates have a very basic form of email that they may use to communicate with those outside of prison, such as friends or family, and all messages are monitored. However, it is a very basic system that doesn't cater to educational courses.
As of 2020, the use of the internet within a correctional facility has been approved in 49 U.S. state correctional systems under heavy supervision. With the exception of Hawaii, Iowa, Nebraska, and Nevada, the remaining states may utilize the internet to deliver inmate education programs. Despite this, according to a government report, as of 2015 only 14 percent of prisons allow restricted direct internet access for their incarcerated students. This is a huge obstacle for anyone wanting to take part in an online education program.
So, the question is,
is it even possible for incarcerated inmates to use online prison education programs? There is no straightforward answer; this will depend on the college that you'd like to study with, as well as the policy of your correctional facility and their attitude towards internet access.Changing Attitudes Toward Internet in Prisons
Corrections facilities and colleges are increasingly challenging this status quo and turning to online courses for incarcerated students who previously would've had to rely on internal classes or correspondence courses—where course materials are sent via mail—to get an education whilst serving a sentence.
For example, one university in Mexico, the Eastern New Mexico University (ENMU), has been allowing inmates to take online courses for around a decade now. Interested inmates who are incarcerated in one of nine New Mexico correctional facilities can access the university's blackboard website using a heavily-restricted prison computer. The computer uses a specialized web browser that prevents users from being able to access any other website than the blackboard, meaning there's no risk of illegal or prohibited activity taking place.
Additionally, using a Restricted Internet Connection, or RIC, an organization called Jail Education Solutions (JES) has partnered with the U.S. city of Philadelphia to run a pilot program that provides tablet computers to incarcerated students in a select group of secure correctional facilities. Using this technology, the partnership has begun using JES resources to provide post-secondary education and vocational courses to inmates, including literacy, social sciences, and financial education.
Then there's an organization known as the Oregon Youth Authority (OYA), who has begun implementing online educational resources and college programs in juvenile facilities based in Oregon. The OYA place emphasis on self-paced learning using computer-assisted software programs that are supervised by a teacher or other person.
The bottom line is that although attitudes toward online education in prisons is changing, finding any kind of online course that is designed for inmates or accessible from correctional facilities is incredibly difficult. If your prison restricts internet access entirely, then you won't be able to take part in an online course. So instead, we've listed some of the best online colleges for people who want to earn a degree through internet-based distance learning. Each school offers a range of programs that will allow you to start building your career in a field of your choosing.
As long as you can source funding—either from the government, a private institution, or your own funds—then you can apply to these schools, provided that you will be able to access the required resources from your facility. It's always worth asking before you apply. Of course, these courses are also suited to anybody who was recently incarcerated but has since been released.
The Best Online Course Providers
According to the Guide to Online Schools, these are the top 10 colleges to choose if you're looking to study for an online bachelor's degree. The data was put together using data that took into account alumni salaries and tuition fee costs.
1. TheGeorge Washington University
Basedin Washington D.C., George Washington University offers courses both online andoffline. The online selection available features more than 90 online degrees,comprised of 12 bachelor's degrees, 70 master's degrees and 11 doctorates. Theyalso offer 41 different certifications through their online program. Studentscan study in the arts, education, nursing and medicine, and business.
2. Universityof Virginia
Onlinelearning at the University of Iowa is delivered through the school'sspecialized platform, UVACollab. It's an intuitive system that doesn't act as abarrier to those less familiar with modern technology and the internet. Whilestudents can study toward a bachelor's degree, where the University of Virginiaexcels is in the provision of a huge range of certificates in subjects such asmanagement, accounting, and security. With a graduate tuition of just $8,115,it's also the cheapest university on our list by a wide margin.
3. University of Massachusetts-Lowell
TheUniversity of Massachusetts has a broad selection of certificate and degreeprograms available to study online. In addition to the 18 bachelor's degreesavailable, there are 30 master's degrees and 29 certificates in the prospectus.Through the custom UMass platform, students have over 1,400 courses availablethrough their online portal, some of which are exclusive to this university.
4. FloridaInstitute of Technology
Whatmakes the Florida Institute of Technology great is that it's comprised of fourdifferent colleges, each specializing in a particular area of study. These arethe College of Aeronautics, the College of Engineering and Science, the Collegeof Psychology and Liberal Arts, and the Nathan Bisk College of Business.Between these four colleges, the institution offers one of the broadestselections of master's degrees available online, with 43 different programs.There are also 16 bachelor's degrees, though students may only study in asingle doctorate program in aviation.
5. Golden Gate University
Mostof the programs available at Golden Gate University, in California, aredelivered online. At Golden Gate however, students can essentially create theirown course by combining different programs together. The university specializesin four different areas predominantly: public administration, accounting,taxation and business. This makes the institution a strong choice for thosewanting to enter the field of financial management, marketing, accounting, andlogistics.
6. OregonState University
OregonState University has two separate campuses in its home state, but for onlinestudents there are over 1,300 different classes to choose from. They offer abroad selection of over 100 different bachelor's degrees, master's degrees andcertificates. In terms of specialization, students may study in programsgrounded in the arts and sciences, or foreign languages. In terms of master'sprograms, students can study toward some highly-specialized roles, includingthose relating to climate change and sustainability.
7. RutgersUniversity
RutgersUniversity is the eighth-oldest institution of higher education in the UnitedStates, actually older than the United States itself. Students who join one ofits online courses are promised the exact same coursework, teaching staff, andinteraction with fellow peers as those students who study on-campus. However,distance learning means being able to study at your own pace. While theuniversity only offers 11 bachelor's degrees online, the master's program isstrong; students have a choice from 53 programs that focus on business,marketing, education, and healthcare.
8. DePaulUniversity
DePaulis a religious institution, but accepts students of any faith or background.Online study is limited to small groups, meaning every student can receivepersonalized assistance from their professor. With more than 50 master'sdegrees available, DePaul focuses on areas like computer science, accounting,healthcare, and public administration.
9. Universityof Minnesota Digital Campus
TheDigital Campus is a branch of the University of Minnesota. While its onlinecourse offering is fairly small, with 18 bachelor's degrees, 11 master'sprograms, and 21 certificates, the online course delivery is of a highstandard. Online students typically receive instruction from the sameprofessors as those who are studying on-campus, with the same curriculums andcourse requirements. Tuition is at the higher end of the scale, standing ataround $15,878 for a graduate degree.
10. DrexelUniversity
DrexelUniversity has by far the largest selection of master's degrees out of these 10universities, with more than 200 online courses to choose from. Similarly, theavailability of certificates is abundant, with more than 90 at your disposal.Degree programs at Drexel focus on career-driven studies, includingconstruction, medical, educational, and business specializations. Thanks to theuniversity's many corporate and community partnerships, students may alsoreceive help in getting on the first step on the ladder in their chosen career.
TheBest Online Degree Programs for Building a Career
Once you've narroweddown the prospective list of online colleges that you'd be interested instudying with, you'll want to decide on the best course for you. If you'restill on the fence, we've also listed some of the top course
types available to study online. We'vechosen these areas because they're all growing fields that report strongearning potential through the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).Finance
Financeis a field in which there will always be a demand for qualified professionals.Once qualified, you might be managing an investment portfolio, producingforecasts, or managing a company budget. According to payscale, the averagesalary for a financial manager stands at around $90,773, whereas a financialanalyst earlier in their career might earn an average of $60,286. Seniorpositions might see you leading a team within the financial industry.
Withthe university's strong emphasis on courses relating to accounting, taxation,and business, Golden Gate University would be a good choice for any prospectivestudents wanting to enter the field of finance. Their Bachelor of Science in business and Master of Science in business administration both have a financeconcentration.
Hospitality
Hospitalityoffers some of the most varied career choices available, with graduates movinginto areas like hotel management, catering, restaurant management, and socialcare. There's also a great deal of job stability; according to BLS statisticsfrom May 2017, the job openings for the entire private sector stood at 5.1million, or 4%, while for hospitality the figures stood at 5%.
Thehours are typically more flexible than you'll find in other industries. If youhave some experience in the hospitality industry already, then earning anonline degree can help get your foot in the door for more seniorresponsibility. Salaries can vary depending on the wide number of positionsavailable, but BLS statistics show that hotel managers andfood service managers earned an average of around $53,390 and $54,240 annuallyin 2018.
BusinessAdministration
Oneof the most popular choices when it comes to earning an online degree, thanksto the high degree of versatility in career choice, business administrationlooks at the fundamental way in which businesses operate. Students canspecialize in greater depth, focusing on human resources, finance, management,operations, and more. The broad spectrum of study means that students can moveinto varied careers, such as senior business management, marketing, andfinancial management. In terms of earning potential and career growth, the BLS reported individuals working inbusiness operations earned a median salary of between $60,000 and $82,000according to data from 2015. There was also a strong projection in newpositions opening in subsequent years, increasing job stability.
Rutgers University offers an online Bachelor of Arts in business administration with a master's degree also available for those who wish to study further. Students report positively on the university's approach to online learning, particularly due to the fact that its online courses closely mirror those of students studying on-campus.
Marketing
Forcreative minds, a marketing degree can be the perfect choice. Companies rely onmarketing to launch their products and generate public interest in goods andservices. Marketing professionals work on the plan and materials required todrive these activities. You'll study demographics, research methodology, andanalysis techniques, employing these skills in your day-to-day job. BLSstatistics show that a market research analyst earned around $63,120 in 2018,with a marketing manager taking home an average of$132,620.
Rutgersand Golden Gate University are both strong choices for students who want toenter a career in marketing. For example, the Master of Public Administration from RutgersUniversity gives students skills such as defining public problems and analysingqualitative and quantitative data, skills that are invaluable in this industry.
HealthEducation
HealthEducation revolves around educating society to lead healthier lives byimproving attitudes and lifestyles. Some of the most commonly-availableopportunities are working in healthcare facilities and local governments. According to the BLS, the median annual incomefor a health educator stands at around $46,080. Employment rates are expectedto rise by 11% between 2018 and 2028.
TheUniversity of Florida's Bachelor of Science in health education andbehavior program was ranked as the best online course in health education bythebestschools.org. The course curriculum places a heavy focus on anatomy,nutrition, biology, and more, setting students in good stead to fullyunderstand the human physiology and how lifestyle choices can influence ourhealth and lifespans.
Accounting
Obtaininga degree in Accounting hands you long-term job stability that's hard to rival.According to the BLS, the industry growth rate looks set torise to around 13.1% by the year 2022. Depending on the company you end upworking for, you might be working in bookkeeping, tax management, or humanresources payroll. Accountants took home an average salary of around $70,500 in2018.
HealthcareAdministration
Healthcareadministration courses are on the rise as the demand for qualifiedadministrators increases in the healthcare industry. Combining your knowledgeof medical practice with business knowledge, you'll handle paperwork andprocesses within a medical environment. This type of degree could lead to arole as a medical or health services manager, which paid an average of $99,730 in 2018.
Manyjobs in healthcare can be obtained without college-level study, but abachelor's degree is required to work in healthcare administration. ColoradoState University's online bachelor's in healthcare administration will teach you howto implement service plans, manage complex medical practices, and understandmedical law and regulation.
ComputerScience
ComputerScience is one industry in which you're essentially guaranteed job security.The demand for skilled developers is increasing as quickly as the technologybehind the industry. There's less scope for branching out in the career, asmost positions rely on the same type of skills but might use differentprogramming languages. You may become a network architect, programmer, or webdeveloper. Compensation is typically high for professionals in this field, withsoftware developers earning an average salaryof around $105,590 in 2018 according to the BLS. Web developers earned less ataround $69,430 annually, though the position is still in high demand.
Witha strong focus on areas such as human-computer interaction, DePaul Universityis a strong choice for online degrees in computer science, web development, and .NET development.
RenewableEnergy
Withthe increased global focus on the environment and what we can do to protect it,careers in green and renewable energy are in-demand. Qualifying in this areacould see you working as an environmental scientist, earning an average salaryof $71,130, according to BLS statistics.
Thanksto Oregon State University's highly-specialized master's programs, studentsmight wish to pursue a master's program like the professional master's in environmental sciences,or study towards a certificate instead, such as the sustainable natural resources or forests and climate change graduatecertificates.
Engineering
Engineeringcan be more difficult to get into as a career, as you require in-depthknowledge of physics and mathematics. Qualified engineers work on theconstruction and maintenance of major infrastructure, like roads, buildings,and even military installations. The BLS provides a comprehensive breakdown of someof the major engineering specializations and the kinds of salaries that youcould achieve within each. Common specializations include civil engineers, whoearn an average of $86,640, and electrical engineers, earning around $64,330.
DrexelUniversity specializes in career-driven studies, which would be invaluable ifaiming for a career as ambitious as this. For example, students can choose froma selection of 20 graduate certificates and master's degrees in engineer alone,such as the graduate certificate in engineering management and MS in electrical engineering.
ProjectManagement
Projectmanagement degrees prepare you with the skills necessary to oversee large,transformational projects. But if you aren't set on a particular field yet, thegood news is that most industries require a project manager at some point.These skills can be applied to construction, engineering, design, financialservices, healthcare, and many more industries.
Projectmanagement typically attracts higher salaries than many other industries too;in fact, this is true for most management-levelpositions. Construction project managers can expect an average salary of around$93,370, for example. According to PayScale, the project salary range for projectmanagers is around $80,000 to $140,000.
DrexelUniversity's MS in project management is aligned with theinternationally-recognized Project Management Institute's guide, 'A Guide tothe Project Management Body of Knowledge'. It's also approved by the ProjectManagement Institute as a Registered Education Provider (R.E.P.). This status meansthat the institution is authorized to issue professional development unitsneeded to meet the education requirements needed by PMI credential holders.
Education
Degreesin education typically prepare prospective students to become the teachers oftoday's youth. It's a good choice for those who like working with people,particularly the young, and influencing and educating others. The industryoffers lower salaries than some of the above occupations, but the work can behighly rewarding. The BLS highlighted an average salary of$58,600 for middle school teachers in 2018, with high school teachers earningslightly more at $60,320.
DrexelUniversity has one of the biggest selections of master's degrees available foronline distance learning. For anyone who's seriously considering further studyafter their bachelor's degree, the institution is a good choice because of itsfocus on career-driven studies, including education. You can choose from around50 different programs specifically in education alone, including master'sdegrees, certificates, and even the TESL (teaching english as a secondlanguage).
HumanResources
Humanresource (HR) work requires an understanding of employment law, salaries,recruitment, training, and more. Large and growing companies require HRdepartments to manage their workforce and ensure that they comply withhealthcare and workplace regulations. A trained and qualified human resourcesmanager can expect to earn an average salary of $113,000 per year according to the BLS.
LeTourneauUniversity's School of Business offers the online Bachelor of Business Administration inhuman resource management. Students will study both the theory of humanresources management, as well as how it is applied in practice.
CriminalJustice
Adegree in criminal justice is often confused with a degree in law, but thistype of degree will not lead to a profession as a lawyer; rather, you mightwork in law enforcement, research, or data analysis. You may become a legalassistant or paralegal, a police officer, or probation officer. According to2018 BLS statistics, a police officer earned anaverage salary of $63,380 and a probation officer $53,020.
Whilenot one of the universities on our list above, Florida State University'sOffice of Distance Learning is a strong choice for criminal justice. Theircollege of criminology and criminal justice provides a well-rated onlinebachelor's degree in criminology that prepares studentsfor employment within law enforcement or other fields of work.
VideoGame Design, Animation and Graphic Design
Thevideo game industry is huge and constantly growing in line with both itsaudience and the development of new gaming technology like virtual reality(VR). According to the BLS, the demand for video game designers will increaseby 10% between the years 2016 and 2026. Graphic design and multimedia—skillsthat are also needed in the video game industry—are expected to rise sharplytoo, and professions in this field earn an average of $72,520 annuallyaccording to BLS research.
FundingYour Studies as a Current or Former Inmate
As a distance-learningstudent participating in online study, your fees will be considerably lowerthan a student physically attending university and staying on-campus for theduration. All students may apply for federal student aid, but there are somelimitations that affect whether you'll be able to receive funding as anincarcerated inmate. Individuals with a criminal record may face difficultybeing approved for funding depending on the type of crime they were convictedfor. What's more,
current inmates areunlikely to be approved for many of the grants available from the government; only 1% of Pell Grant funding went toincarcerated inmates in 2018.For those currentlyserving time inside a correctional facility, the Federal SupplementalEducational Opportunity Grant, or FSEOG, is one potential option for funding.Though you are not disqualified from making an application whilst incarcerated,priority is given to students who are not serving time, meaning you're muchless likely to be fortunate in securing this funding. An alternative is FederalWork-Study (FWS). The bad news is that if you're incarcerated in a federal orstate prison, you're not eligible for federal student loans or thePell Grant. You may, however, apply for a Pell Grant if you're inside adifferent type of institution.
After release fromprison, most eligibility restrictions are lifted, leaving you able to apply fora Pell Grant or federal student loans, but there
are some exceptions. If convicted of a serious drug-related crime,then you may remain ineligible after release, unless you complete an approveddrug rehabilitation program. Additionally, crimes of a sexual nature may alsoresult in you remaining ineligible for funding after release.However, it's worthfilling in the application for federal student aid, even if you think that youmay be ineligible to receive any support. Even if you're not able to getfunding, colleges use the information provided on your application to help formtheir decision on who should get other grants and scholarships offered directlyby the institution. The application you'll need to complete is called the
Free Application for Federal Student Aid,or the FAFSA.Alternativesto Federal Student Aid
If you're not eligiblefor federal student aid, and you can't afford the cost of studying yourself,it's still worth considering other avenues of funding. A report from the Bureau of Justice in 2018found that the recidivism rate was 83% for prisoners released in 2005, meaning5 out of 6 former inmates were arrested for at least one subsequent crime inthe decade following their release. Recidivism is the likelihood for a formerinmate to reoffend after being released from a correctional facility.
However, it was alsofound that those who participated in prison education were significantly lesslikely to reoffend. It also found how these people were likely to be moresuccessful in finding jobs when compared to those who did not pursue aneducation. So, it's in your interest to pursue a course of education that couldhelp set you up for a meaningful career when you begin rebuilding your life.Here are some of the alternatives to federal student aid to consider.
Grantsor Scholarships
Eligibility aroundscholarships and other grants, typically funded by private institutions, areusually much more relaxed than those attached to federal funding. In fact,there are some scholarships specifically designed to help incarcerated andformerly incarcerated inmates, which aren't available to other applicants. Inyour search for funding you could try websites like Scholarships.comand FinAid,which are essentially search engines for funding. The U.S. Department ofEducation (DOE) also has 'Scholarship Finder'. Make sure you study the entryrequirements attached to any scholarships before spending time filling out anapplication. But to make things a little easier, here's an example of a fewscholarships that are offered to currently incarcerated inmates.
1. College and ParalegalScholarships for Incarcerated People
The College and Paralegal Scholarships for Incarcerated People awards scholarships for one of the universities most well-known for prison correspondence courses, Adam's State University. They've also been known to award scholarships to some inmates convicted of crimes of a sexual nature, something that federal funding disqualifies.
2. Dennis J. Beck MemorialScholarship
Any resident ofJackson County who attends a local high school or college can apply for theDennis J. Beck Memorial Scholarship. However, there are othereligibility requirements too; only ethnic minorities may apply and they must becurrently incarcerated in a Jackson County correctional facility. They mustalso be enrolled in the Jackson College Prison Education Initiative. While thisdoes narrow down the potential applicant pool, it also means that there's nopriority given to non-incarcerated students.
3. Eileen J. Smith , R.N.Memorial Scholarship
The Eileen J. SmithR.N. Memorial Scholarship is another source of funding aimedat students who are enrolled in the Jackson College Prison EducationInitiative, as well as being housed in a Jackson County corrections facility.
4. Bruce and Marjorie SundlunScholarship
Students awarded theBruce and Marjorie Scholarship may receive up to $2,000 infunding. This scholarship was set up specifically to help single parents whowant to pursue education but cannot afford to do so. Priority is given to thoseparents who have also previously been incarcerated in a correctional facilityand who have not pursued a higher education than high school.
5. NYU scholarship forformerly-incarcerated students
As of fall 2020, NewYork University (NYU) now offes two new needs-assessed scholarships toindividuals who have previously been incarcerated. This is the result of ajoint campaign from the Incarceration to Education Coalition and PrisonIndustrial Complex Committee.
Tipsfor Succeeding in Online Study
Your life inside of acorrectional facility can help prepare you for the sometimes-rigorous schedulerequired for studying towards an online degree. Tuition can be expensive, soyou want to give it your all when it comes to putting time aside to study and completeyour assignments and examinations. Some of these tips will apply more to thosestudying from outside of prison, but some will be useful for those alsoincarcerated who are granted permission to use the internet for theireducation.
Treat your studies as if they're a job
Ifyou want the best chance at succeeding in a career after your incarcerationends, then you should treat your education like a job. You may have beenassigned a prison job that requires you to work every day, which will help giveyou the time management skills required to commit to a set study time each day.Schedule your assessments and coursework and make sure you stick to yourschedule as closely as possible.
Manageyour time carefully
Unfortunately,you're not responsible for managing your own time inside of a correctionalfacility, due to the strict schedule imposed on most inmates. However, you canensure you're prepared for the allocated time that you are given to access yourstudy materials, and spend time reviewing any that you're allowed to take backto your cell. If you've been released from prison, then you should set yourselfa schedule and stick to it. Work out how much time you need to cover all thematerials on your course. Make sure anybody you live with knows not to botheryou while you're working on your course.
Utilizeonline information resources
Inmateswill likely have greater difficulty accessing student resources outside of anydedicated learning portal due to internet restrictions. However, some may stillbe available and many will likely be available through the portal. Make sureyou review and, if possible, print any useful study resources you can from theinternet during your allocated study time.
Breakdown your course into manageable milestones
Whenyou're taking an online degree or certificate, you're responsible for managingyour own time and workload. If you're not expected to attend a physicalclassroom, then staying on top of the course load can be more difficult. So,spend some time figuring out how much you have to cover and how long you have.Then, using a calendar if possible, break the course down into manageable tasksso that you can check you're on track.
Takebreaks—if you need them
Ifyou're studying after release from prison, don't overload yourself. Take shortbut frequent breaks to give your mind a rest and avoid eye strain from staringat a computer screen. If you're incarcerated, it's likely that your study timeeach day won't be particularly long, but you should still take breaks if youneed them. Studying for an online degree can feel daunting compared to yourother day-to-day tasks, so if you need to step away from the computer for acouple of minutes, that's okay.
Workahead of deadlines
Don'ttreat deadlines as a target, as you could risk running over them. Someinstitutions do allow inmates to request an extension, often up to six months,but you should still aim to work ahead of your deadlines. Try to achieve yourassignments early so that you're not rushing a piece of work or panicking. Thisis especially important inside of correctional facilities, where life is oftentumultuous and your study time could be interrupted or cancelled withoutnotice.
Speakto others in your course if possible
If you're studying from inside prison and your education portal has a communal space—such as a forum—you may not be able to access it. While you can usually communicate with professors or a designated supervisor, most internet functionality is limited from computer systems inside of prison. If you
can communicate with peers on your course, help each other out with proof-reading, assignments, and resources. You may form connections that you'll keep after release or that could help you in your future career. If you can't communicate, make sure you make use of your designated supervisor or professor as much as you need.Related: