As an incarcerated person, you’ve probably considered the option of getting an online college degree. The advantage of getting an online degree is that you don’t necessarily have to go to school far from the chain-link fences that confine you. You can actually complete most of the required coursework from the comfort of your home. The internet makes this possible by providing a virtual classroom and allowing you to interact with your instructor via video chat. With the right setup, you can even get an online degree and be released from prison at the same time. Thanks to companies like Tutor Doctor and Top Hat Tutoring, which we will discuss below. But first, let’s examine the cons of getting an online degree, or any other kind of education while incarcerated.
No Face-to-Face Interaction
One of the biggest pluses of getting an accredited online degree is that you don’t have to worry about missing class because of lockdown or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Face-to-face interaction is a large part of what makes going to school so valuable. Even if you’re sitting in front of a computer, you can often find people waiting for class to start. This is both comforting and an interesting phenomenon, given what we’re capable of doing these days. But without that personal interaction, you’re limited in what you can learn. For example, you can’t ask questions about a topic you’re not familiar with. You can’t observe a classroom demonstration and give the instructor feedback. And most importantly, you can’t receive help when you need it, as there’s no face-to-face interaction. When you get out, you’ll either have to settle for whatever degree you managed to attain, or try to start over again. Another downside to getting an online degree is the level of engagement you’re likely to feel obligated to maintain. With no faculty member to turn to for help, you’re entirely on your own. You’ll have to find the information yourself, and that can take a lot of time, particularly when you’re studying for a test. For these reasons, getting an online degree is probably best reserved for people who can afford the luxury of staying at home.
Limited Tutoring Available
Tutor Doctor and Top Hat Tutoring are two companies that specialize in providing educational opportunities for people who are behind bars. Both companies were founded by people who noticed the glaring lack of educational opportunities for people who are serving time. They saw a need to fill that gap, and they’ve been helping prisoners attain their degrees ever since. While both Tutor Doctor and Top Hat offer online degrees, you’ll need to be accepted into their correctional programs to be able to take advantage of their services. The tutors at both companies are accredited by the International Association for Tutoring and Testing in Literacy (IATTIL). IATTIL accreditation indicates that the tutors have met certain standards of excellence. The accreditation also means that the companies’ degrees are reliable and of good quality. The limited availability of tutors, especially for those with more than one requirement, can be a headache. It also means that you’ll have to be selective about the universities and colleges you apply to. You won’t want to waste your time and theirs by applying to a university that isn’t willing to offer the program you need. If you do decide to pursue an online degree, be sure to check with the tutors at both companies, to see if they have any feedback about the quality of the school you’ve chosen. In the end, the limited availability of tutors is one of the major downsides to getting an online degree. If you can afford the luxury of a tutor, it’s preferable to go the old-fashioned way and interact with a live person whenever possible.
More Than One Requirement
Some universities require you to have completed a bachelor’s degree, while others don’t. Some universities require you to have a specific GPA, while others don’t. The list of requirements can vary from university to university, and from degree to degree. This makes it more than a little bit complicated to know where you’ll fit in without first doing lots of research. If you do decide to go the online degree route, be sure to check with the admissions officer at the schools you’re interested in, to see if they have any suggestions about what degrees you should be looking for, given your situation. Once you know what additional degrees you might be eligible for, you can begin searching for reputable universities that offer those degrees. If you manage to attain more than one degree, you can often find job opportunities, particularly in the fields of healthcare and teaching. If you’re looking for a job once you’re released, you’ll definitely need a degree to start over. The limited number of degrees available online make it easy for gatekeepers to decide who gets in and who doesn’t. Degrees can only get you so far, and it’s up to you to make sure that you’re putting the right foot forward. Once you get out, it’s all about networking and applying as much as you can. If you do end up getting locked up again, you’ll have to start over again. The lack of a degree, even if it’s a fake one, won’t necessarily hurt your chances of getting out on parole, but it won’t help either. In this sense, getting a fake degree can be seen as a sort of insurance policy, in case you do end up going to prison. In the end, if you want to succeed in life, you’ll have to put in the work. A good place to start is by applying to as many colleges as you can. Once you’ve been accepted to a couple of them, apply for graduate school. Alternatively, if you have a specific topic you’d like to research, do a little online research, and see if there’s any professors who are interested in being interviewed or contributing to a paper. In this way, you’ll be able to find the information you need without being locked away from the world of online degrees and universities. Finally, if you’re worried about wasting your time, either wait until you’re released or take a little bit of time off, and then get back to completing your undergrad degrees. There’s no rush. The important thing is that you’re making the right choice for yourself. If you can afford it, get a tutor; otherwise, get a degree.