Post‑Secondary Education
Post-secondary education courses include college-level coursework offered to students through the Post-Secondary and Continuing Education Program. The Office of Correctional Education of the Division of Rehabilitative Programs, in collaboration with various community colleges and partnership with the California Community College Chancellor’s Office, offers students opportunities to enroll in college courses that are nationally or regionally accredited by the United States Department of Education and lead to an associate degree. Courses may be available via face-to-face instruction or correspondence coursework from accredited colleges/universities.
Currently, various community colleges provide face-to-face college courses in 34 institutions. These college courses are non-remedial and lead to a degree in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding established between the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation (CDCR) and the California Community College serving in that geographical location.
Additionally, opportunities for in-person bachelor’s degree programs are offered at eight different CDCR institutions in collaboration with various colleges including California State Universities, University of California, and one private college.
College courses are also provided to students via correspondence courses by 25+ different colleges.
Students are responsible for their tuition, fees, textbooks, and materials associated with college course enrollment. Students may be eligible for a tuition fee waiver through the California College Promise Grant (CCPG) that permits tuition fees to be waived for eligible California residents. CCPG gets awarded based on financial need of the student and covers low-income students in the state’s community colleges, including incarcerated students. Students working on their bachelor’s degree may be eligible for a Second Chance Pell Grant through the college/university in which they are enrolled.
Students may be eligible to earn Milestone Completion Credit(s) and Education Merit Credit in accordance with the California Code of Regulations Title 15.
Locations
Face-to-face college classes leading to an associate degree are available at all institutions with the exception of SAC and CHCF, as are correspondence courses. Currently, opportunities for the BA program are available at LAC, FSP, MCSP, CCWF, VSP, CRC, CIW, and RJD.
Program Length
Time duration for completing different college degrees may vary. Incarcerated students progress at their own pace.
Eligibility/Enrollment
Enrollment in post-secondary education is voluntary. Students must have earned their High School Diploma or Equivalency to enroll in courses that are non-remedial and lead to an associate degree. Students must have earned a fully transferrable Associate of Arts Degree to be eligible for enrollment in the BA program.
Contact Information
(916) 445-8035