eCampus

COLLEGE FOR THE INCARCERATED

Studies indicate that prisoners who complete educational programs while incarcerated have a significantly better chance of finding a job and staying out of prison than those who don't. Since 1974, Ohio University’s College for the Incarcerated has provided an opportunity for incarcerated students to study, through correspondence courses, to earn college credit and/or an Ohio University degree.

Academic Programs and Courses Offered

Incarcerated students can work toward earning the following degrees, or may elect to take classes without declaring a program major.

Associate degree
Bachelor's degree
Paralegal Studies Certificate

To view a list of courses offered, click HERE.

How Correspondence Courses Work

Our correspondence courses are developed by Ohio University faculty using the content of their classroom courses. A study guide helps you understand the material and contains assignments you submit to the instructor for evaluation and feedback. Assignments are submitted by email, by FAX, or by postal mail. You may enroll any time during the year, and you have eight months to complete a paper-based course.

Correspondence courses provide a highly structured method of independent study involving a tutorial relationship with a faculty member who guides your learning and monitors your progress. The detailed study guide, prepared by your instructor, provides an overview and the lesson units that direct you through the course.

Most lessons require you to submit answers to objective questions or write brief essays or both. Some lessons may require a paper or project. The study guide often includes self-check tests that let you monitor your own progress. Generally, two supervised examinations are required—a midcourse and a final examination.

Student Services Provided

An academic advisor is assigned to each student. Student services and policies specifically addressing incarcerated students help the student achieve academic success. Services include:

academic advising
degree planning
connections to other Ohio University offices and personnel
packaged fees to help make the program more easily accessible

Cost and Payment

A $25 application fee which will be applied to the first course enrollment. Tuition charges should be paid only upon receipt of a CPI billing.

Credit Hours	Comprehensive Fees (Ohio Resident)	Non-Ohio Resident Fees	VA Pre-Certification Fees
6-8	$1,200	$1,216	$300
9-11	$1,666	$1,688	$350
12-14	$2,122	$2,144	$400
15-17	$2,567	$2,601	$450
18-20	$3,012	$3,052	$500
Current CPI fees are in effect until June 30, 2012. Comprehensive fees apply only to Ohio University eCampus Correspondence Courses. They cover all costs associated with registration in two or more Correspondence Courses, including tuition, textbooks, supplies, and lesson postage.* They do NOT apply to Course Credit by Examination (CCE) courses. *The noncredit Paralegal Certificate correspondence program includes the cost of materials and instruction only. Textbooks and lesson postage are the responsibility of the student.

The comprehensive fees above apply to registrations in TWO OR MORE Correspondence Courses. Single Correspondence Courses are billed on an itemized basis. Tuition is $146 per credit hour for Ohio residents and $148 per credit hour for non-Ohio residents. An average 4-hour course including tuition, textbook(s), supplies, and postage would be approximately $770.00 (exact cost varies by course).

Course Credit By Examination (CCE) courses are billed on an itemized basis. Billing includes $72 per credit hour for Ohio residents and $74 per credit hour for non-Ohio residents for tuition plus the cost of textbook(s) and shipping. Tuition for special course credit by examination also is $72 for Ohio residents and $74 non Ohio residents per credit hour. However, students taking special course credit by examination will be assessed a $17 per hour individualized course fee

Students or sponsors should NOT pay any course registration tuition or fees until receiving a billing invoice from the CPI office. Courses selected must be approved by your CPI academic advisor after which charges are invoiced and sent to you or your sponsor.

An extension fee is $50 per course. For CPI students, the fee for the first extension in a course is waived. Extensions are granted based on progress made in courses. No extension is necessary to extend enrollment time to complete a final exam as long as the exam is completed within four months of the course expiration date.

A student services fee is added to course or comprehensive fees at the rate of $2.00 per credit hour, not to exceed $22.00 for multiple courses taken in one registration. This is a University-wide fee that applies to all students taking Ohio University courses and to all Ohio University course registrations, whether campus-based or distance learning.

Please direct any questions about payment by writing College Program for the Incarcerated, 102 Haning Hall, Ohio University, Athens OH 45701, or by calling toll free at (800) 444-2420 or by e-mailing cpi@ohio.edu.

For more information about the program and to register, visit the links to the right.

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