11 Affordable Correspondence Courses for Incarcerated Individuals
If education programs are limited at your friend or loved one’s facility, consider enrolling them in an affordable correspondence course. Mail-based courses provide an opportunity for incarcerated individuals to complete coursework without internet access.
Blackstone offers 11 different correspondences courses for incarcerated individuals to choose from. Sponsoring a friend or loved one allows you an opportunity to show them you care and helps give them a better chance of success.
Did you know that a study found the chances of returning to prison are 48% lower for formerly incarcerated individuals who participated in postsecondary education programs compared to those who did not?
Learn about the affordable correspondence courses designed specifically for those currently incarcerated:
1. Paralegal Certificate Program
Blackstone’s Paralegal certificate program is an excellent option for incarcerated individuals, and the total tuition cost is only $885! No interest, monthly payment plans are available.
In this program, students gain a broad understanding of the field of law. While it’s designed to prepare them for entry-level employment as paralegals, many of our students take this program to learn more about their own case or for personal enrichment. The program includes 14 volumes covering a range of topics from criminal law to legal research and writing.
We highly recommend students complete the Paralegal certificate program prior to enrolling in one of the Advanced Paralegal courses offered.
2. Criminal Law
Our correspondence Advanced Paralegal course in Criminal Law takes a deep dive into the criminal legal system. For those currently incarcerated, it can be a particularly pertinent subject. Students learn about how criminal trials and sentencing work and the role of a defense attorney in defending the accused. There are a myriad of topics covered from the types of offenses to plea bargaining. This affordable correspondence course is designed to better equip students to serve as paralegals in matters of criminal law.
3. Civil Litigation
Our correspondence Civil Litigation course is for incarcerated individuals looking to learn more about civil proceedings. The legal process for civil matters greatly differs from criminal matters, so taking both Criminal Law and Civil Litigation can provide a well-rounded understanding of both criminal and civil matters. In the Civil Litigation course, students can expect to learn about litigation strategy, discovery, settlement agreements, arbitration, and more.
4. Interviewing & Investigating
If your incarcerated friend or loved one is interested in learning how to gather sources of information and conduct interviews of clients and witnesses, consider our affordable correspondence course in Interviewing & Investigating. This course is ideal for those with a natural investigative instinct. Students will learn to gather evidence ethically and legally as it applies to the paralegal profession.
5. Real Estate Law
The Real Estate Law course for incarcerated individuals focuses on the legal aspects of the real estate industry, a significant practice area for many law firms. Students can expect to learn about the elements of real estate contracts, basic landlord/tenant law, the closing process, and more. This affordable correspondence course can even benefit someone looking to work in the real estate industry.
6. Business & Corporate Law
For incarcerated individuals interested in the business world, our affordable correspondence course in Business & Corporate Law may be the perfect fit. This course is designed for those aspiring to work as paralegals in a business law firm or to deepen their understanding of business law. Students will explore a wide range of topics, including the World Trade Organization, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, the Equal Protection Clause, and the Statute of Frauds.
7. Family Law
Incarcerated individuals can enroll in our correspondence Family Law course to gain insight into current and developing family law practices in the U.S. This course covers a multitude of topics including marriage, divorce, child custody and visitation rights, paternity, child abuse, and adoption. It also explores emerging legal issues such as surrogacy, frozen embryos, and virtual visitation.
8. Personal Injury and Torts
Incarcerated individuals interested in the medical field may want to consider enrolling in our Personal Injury and Torts course. This course offers students the chance to explore topics such as the Good Samaritan Law, medical malpractice, workers’ compensation, HIPAA, among others. Alongside personal injury law, students will also delve into tort law and the various types of torts. This affordable correspondence course is designed to equip students with the foundational knowledge needed to pursue careers as paralegals in both personal injury and tort law.
9. Immigration Law
The Immigration Law course for incarcerated individuals gives an overview of U.S. immigration and nationality law, providing students with the research skills needed to stay informed about this evolving field. The course covers government immigration websites, immigration applications, refugee protection, asylum, nonimmigrant visas, the citizenship process, and more. For individuals interested in understanding how immigration policies are shaped or pursuing a career in immigration law, this course is a great choice.
10. Wills, Trusts, & Estates
Blackstone’s Wills, Trusts, & Estates correspondence course is designed to prepare students for paralegal roles in administering wills, trusts, and estates. Even if students are not pursuing a career in this field, learning about wills can be valuable for personal reasons. This affordable correspondence course covers the benefits of having a will, the legal requirements for executing, changing, and revoking a will, and the key clauses typically found in a will. It also covers how to assist attorneys in estate planning, including explaining rights, setting up trusts, appointing representatives, and more.
11. Practical Bankruptcy
The Practical Bankruptcy course for incarcerated individuals explores the bankruptcy system and the paralegal’s role throughout a bankruptcy proceeding. This affordable correspondence course offers comprehensive coverage, including the history of bankruptcy, the Bankruptcy Code and Bankruptcy Rules, bankruptcy litigation, appeals, and more. Incarcerated individuals may even have the opportunity to make money in prison by helping fellow inmates file for bankruptcy. Michael Harris, a graduate of the Paralegal certificate program, demonstrated this through his own personal experience.
Disclaimer: Blackstone Career Institute cannot guarantee employment, job promotion prospects, or income increases.
