Empowering Incarcerated People Through Educational Opportunities

the first Incarcerated Instructor teaching his students at Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility in Colorado
Photo – Rachel Woolf, Chalkbeat featuring the first Incarcerated Instructor teaching his students at Colorado Territorial Correctional Facility in Colorado.

ASU-PEP is a leading higher education institution in the United States, specializing in print-based correspondence education accessible nationwide. Our primary goal is to empower incarcerated individuals through educational opportunities, which improves their chances of success after release. Our academic programs are designed to cater to a broad range of students, with certificates, associate, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees on offer. We are deeply committed to fostering educational opportunities and take pride in being one of the few quality correspondence programs available to incarcerated individuals in the country. Our remote learning options are designed to serve those who need access to traditional education.

By the Numbers (since 2017)

1000+

Incarcerated people have earned transferable college credits

150+

PEP students have participated in our Elevation Community on campus or online

152

Associate Degrees awarded through ASU-PEP

133

Bachelor Degrees awarded through ASU-PEP

20

Masters in Business Administration Degrees awarded through ASU-PEP

In the coming years, we plan to expand our offerings even further. With the Revised Second Chance Pell Experiment, we are expanding face-to-face classes in the Colorado Department of Corrections. We are also excited to announce that Pell Grants are fully reinstated, and we plan to offer Pell-eligible courses in other states starting in 2028.

Learn more about Pell Reinstatement here.

For family members looking to request information on behalf of an incarcerated student, please fill out this Google Form to request a catalog for future students. Please note: the address provided must meet facility mailing requirements.

Please visit the ASU Bookstore if you are looking to order books for your loved ones.

Our unwavering commitment to educational excellence and innovative approaches has positioned ASU-PEP as a dynamic institution dedicated to meeting the diverse learning needs of our students.

Available Courses, Certificates & Degrees