Programs
Bachelor’s Degree
NPEP students at Stateville Correctional Center and Logan Correctional Center seek a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in social sciences, taking a full course load all four quarters of each academic year. Completion of degrees typically takes four to five years.
Applications are available to incarcerated men across the state of Illinois for participation in NPEP. Accepted applicants at other facilities are transferred to Stateville Correctional Center, a multi-security prison in Crest Hill, Illinois, to participate in NPEP.
Applications are available to incarcerated women at Logan Correctional Center.
In December of 2021, the first cohort of NPEP students at Stateville accomplished a major milestone by being accepted as degree-seeking students at Northwestern University — an achievement made possible by the Provost’s approval earlier that same year to grant bachelor’s degrees to our students.
On November 15, 2023, NPEP’s first cohort at Stateville etched their names into history books as they became the first incarcerated students in U.S. history to earn a bachelor’s degree from a top ten university. Their historic accomplishment is a testament to their hard work and unwavering dedication.
NPEP hopes to inspire future incarcerated students to continue blazing new trails in the pursuit of academic excellence and a brighter future.
Associate’s Degree
NPEP students at Stateville Correctional Center have the opportunity to pursue an Associate in General Studies degree from our partner, Oakton College.
Two cohorts of students have graduated from Oakton through NPEP, the first in the spring of 2022 and the second in the fall of 2022.
Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice
NPEP is grateful to offer credit-granting college courses to students who have received their high school diploma or GED and are currently experiencing incarceration in the Illinois Department of Juvenile Justice (IDJJ).
Many of our students will return to their home communities soon and will be able to enroll full-time in college (including Northwestern) if they desire, and these courses provide credits that students can apply to their diplomas. Students in IDJJ have taken courses in a wide range of disciplines, including physics, marketing, public speaking, and more.
In addition, to provide holistic support to our students in IDJJ, members of UPEP provide one-on-one peer mentorship to cultivate meaningful friendships, partner with students in their coursework, and build upon the strengths of the students to pursue their goals.
We are proud to often offer our courses and events on-campus so students and IDJJ can have the full Northwestern experience. Please contact IDJJ Program Director Molly Crane to get involved.
Cook County Department of Corrections
In partnership with the Cook County Department of Corrections (CCDOC), NPEP offers introductory college-level mini-courses at the Cook County Jail in Chicago. The mini-courses are six weeks long with two hours of classroom instruction per week (12 contact hours).
These courses are taught by Northwestern University faculty and advanced Ph.D. students and are offered across levels of security and in both the men’s and the women’s divisions. These mini-courses provide both meaningful exposure to liberal arts education to pre-trial and short-term incarcerated students and outstanding professional development opportunities for graduate students.
Learn more about the program and apply to volunteer at the link below.
