Inmates’ education is at their own expense through distance education courses or studies completed throughout the us. uu. mail. This page features the various paper correspondence course options for inmates and our favorite correspondence programs for inmates.
Contact Zoukis Consulting Group if you or a loved one is incarcerated. our team can help you find correspondence courses for inmates, resolve any issues within the prison, and determine if you qualify for early release.
Schedule a free initial consultation today to speak with a federal prison expert!
the case of correspondence courses for inmates
The case for prison education is clear, with many proven benefits for prisoners, their families, the community and the wider economy. For the past 20 years, the US has cut funding for prison education, beginning with Congress passing the Violent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Act in 1994. You can read more about the controversial history of prison education.
In the summer of 2015, the obama administration temporarily reinstated pell grants, an economic entitlement for students with financial need. these grants may be available to us. prisoners if the legislation allows it. this funding would allow for the funding of print correspondence courses for inmates.
Apart from this recent addition of funding, the only education for inmates beyond the high school equivalency (ged) level is at their own expense through distance learning courses or study completed through the u.s. . uu. mail. while funding may be limited, these paper-based correspondence courses are the best current option.
While the program offerings are not ideal, there are benefits to correspondence education programs. All levels of study and courses are available, from high school to business administration, ministerial and even law.
While we can’t help with funding, we can point America’s inmates and their families to accessible inmate education programs. Below are links to recommended information and programs for inmates at different levels.
inmate education
The following pages describe paper correspondence courses for inmates at all levels of study. click on each one to see detailed profiles for each level of correspondence education.
- graduate programs
- undergraduate programs
- religiously oriented university programs
- professional and vocational courses
- ged and high school diploma programs
- adult continuing education (ACE) programs
- paid bible study programs
- free bible studies
- in -educational programs in prisons
our favorite inmate correspondence shows
Distance education can be difficult for inmates to obtain. This page includes a list of our favorite print correspondence course programs that offer paper programs.
Without internet access, distance learning can be difficult for inmates. We have compiled a list of the best correspondence schools that offer paper formats that are accessible to inmates.
correspondence high school diploma programs
the following schools offer high school diploma and/or ged programs for prisoners. each of these programs offers correspondence courses by mail.
- american school
- brigham young university
- north dakota center for distance learning
university degrees
The following schools offer undergraduate programs with a wide variety of courses available. Again, all programs offer print correspondence courses for inmates.
- adams state university
- andrews university
- colorado-town state university
- ohio university
graduate correspondence programs for prisoners
Postgraduate university studies are the pinnacle of prison education. The following colleges offer graduate-level print correspondence courses for inmates.
- adams state university
- american graduate university
- coastal university of california
- university of california miramar
- colorado state university-village
- huntington college of health sciences
- louisiana state university
- ohio university
- university of southwestern graduate studies
- university of idaho graduate studies
- university of northern iowa graduate studies
explanatory notes on the correspondence profile
The matching programs described above are designed to help you determine which schools might be best for you to investigate further. To simplify your search, schools are grouped according to the level of study or degrees they offer.
Under the level of study there are letters that indicate the type of degrees or certificates offered.
c: a certificate program, dip: a diploma program,a: a two-year associate degree,b : a four-year bachelor’s degree,m: a graduate master’s degree, andd: a graduate doctorate (ph.d.).
You will find the following information as it is available:
Accreditation: This is your guarantee that the school or educational institution meets high quality standards and that the courses you take there will be recognized and accepted by other schools. For your protection, we do not mark a school as accredited unless its accreditation comes from a bona fide accrediting agency.
registration: this is the fee charged for course credits. If a course you’re taking earns 3 credits toward your graduation, multiply that fee by 3. Tuition fees are how an institution pays its faculty and staff, how it equips its labs and computer systems, libraries, and facilities. tuition fees do not include application fees, cost of books, or other educational fees.
Payment Plan: Some schools will work with you to set up a payment plan so you can pay what you owe in installments; others do not. the school catalog can provide financial information and available options, if any. You can also call the school’s financial office to discuss your situation and how you propose to pay.
transfer: if you want to change schools (transfer from one higher education institution to another), make sure that the credits you earned in courses completed at the first school transfer to the second school . the second school has to recognize and accept the course standards at the first school. this is usually not a problem if both schools are genuinely accredited.
Time Limit: This will tell you how long you have to complete a course or program. If for some reason you are unable to complete within the time limit, you may be able to request an extension. in some cases, you may be charged an extension fee. if an extension or grace period is not granted, you will need to repeat the course or program.
Degrees: We list here any certificates, diplomas, or degrees that the school offers through correspondence courses.
Course Categories: These are the areas of study, or subjects, in which courses are offered.
Course Delivery: Unless incarcerated in New Mexico, inmates cannot enroll in online courses and are restricted to paper courses. our lists do not include schools that only provide web-based distance learning.
Media Component: If the course incorporates video, photography, or audio elements into its instructional format, it typically requires computer-based media players that are not available to you. therefore, courses should say “none” or “n/a” (not applicable) unless your prison education department allows access to select media players.
Catalogue: Write to each and every school you are interested in and ask them to send you an updated catalog. All schools offer a catalog free of charge, although some may ask for a nominal fee to cover shipping and packaging costs. The catalog will tell you everything you need to know about the school’s programs, courses, events, application procedures, academic requirements, and policies. read it carefully. It will help you make an intelligent decision about which school is best for you.
Application Fee: Once you have decided to enroll, you will need to complete an application for acceptance as a student. most schools require a fee between $25 and $100. some schools waive the application fee for inmates. It certainly doesn’t hurt to ask. if they are willing, fill out a form to request the waiver. if they do not waive the application fee, it must be paid.
Founded: The year the school started is not critical, but those that have been around for a long time provide reassuring stability.
Comments: If we personally know something about the school, we try to give an honest evaluation so that you can continue or avoid wasting time and money.
School Comments: Where available, this section can provide you with information about the institution’s goals and priorities. also, where available, we include the most recent comments from school officials.
posted on Jun 16, 2017 by christopher zoukis, jd, mba | Last updated by Christopher Zoukis, JD, MBA on Apr 3, 2022 at 8:08 PM m.