A recent newspaper article, entitled “Shakespeare Behind Bars“, highlights a unique program that pairs inmates with professional actors for training in the dramatic arts. At the end of the training, the inmates perform one of Shakespeare’s plays. For many of the men, the experience is no less than inspirational.

At the California Men’s Colony in San Luis Obispo, several inmates taking part in the London Shakespeare Workout Prison Project  even expressed an interest in pursuing acting as a livelihood once they are released from prison.  In fact, 20-year old inmate Najee Bright was offered a full scholarship to study at Oxford University once his prison sentence is completed.   

The innovative act of introducing highly-qualified acting instructors into the prison environment has been enough to give these prisoners a new vision for their lives. The creative arts have always held that sort of power; but education is known to exert its own influence.

Online degrees are another vehicle of hope for inmates who are considering what kind of future life they want for themselves.  And each year, the career choices continue to multiply as advances in technology hone the e-learning instructional process. For example, online education giant Directory of Schools touts 6,765 accredited online degrees on its website. Inmates may shop for education options and, depending upon their prison situation, may enroll in an online school and work toward a college degree. 

Once enrolled, the distance learning classes are easily accessible with a computer, modem and the Internet. When the prison time is over, those who are newly-released could leave prison trained for a new career and a new life. Hopefully, the powers-that-be will offer online education as an option for the general prison population, not just for a sporadic few. 

Just as the London Shakespeare Workout Prison Project has successfully brought the dramatic arts into prisons, online education may offer hope and a renewed vision for transforming lives . 

inmate education, online degrees, online education, online classes, distance learning, prison reform, e-learning

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In a shopping mall during the recent President’s Day weekend, I strolled into the Coach store and witnessed a frenzied atmosphere as women — and men – scooped up luxury merchandise that was reduced 30-50% in price.

For those who are unfamiliar with Coach handbags, wallets and accessories, the items are extremely well-made of fine leather and fabrics — with a remarkable attention to detail.

But just weeks earlier, I had been offered knock-offs, or counterfeits, of Coach products at an outdoor market. The purses and wallets appeared to be of high-quality; but upon closer inspection, the stitching was irregular, the materials were lightweight and the hardware (zippers, rings, fasteners) were substandard. And though the price was low, I chose to pass on this ” great bargain”.

Diploma mills are just like those counterfeit handbags. The fake degree hanging on the wall may look authentic and cost less than a bonafide college education. But the closer inspection of an employer or co-worker will reveal it as substandard and counterfeit. 

And the embarrassment of the revelation might not be the only consequence. The perpetrator, or diploma mill customer, could be arrested and charged with a crime in several states, including Oregon and Texas, if the degree was used to obtain employment or gain a job promotion.

As with buying fake Coach merchandise, I would recommend staying away from fake degrees. Instead, choose one of the thousands of accredited online degrees that are of high-quality and will last forever.  

online degrees, accredited online degrees, online classes, diploma mills, fake degrees, college degree, Coach

Popularity: 21% [?]

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The world of forensic nursing is an interesting path for those who have the desire to work closely with detectives and law enforcement agencies. 

Forensic nurses may collect evidence at crime scenes, identify and document injuries caused by accidents and care for victims of crime, abuse and negligence. Trauma nurse, abuse counselor, death investigator, victim mediator and more are all a part of this fascinating area of nursing.

The Forensic Nursing Certificate, which is offered online by Kaplan University, opens the door for a career in a specialty that is linked heavily with the criminal justice system.  In order to be eligible to apply for this professional certificate, candidates must first possess their R.N. (registered nurse) credential. The required coursework for the certificate may be completed in as little as a year via distance learning.

Although it is a relatively new nursing specialty (officially approved by the American Nurses Association (ANA) in 1995), forensic nurses perform their duties with the knowledge and attention to detail that provides assurance and compassion to victims and their families. Those who are drawn to this specialty assist the wheels of justice in turning more smoothly while potentially earning from $55 to $300 an hour.

Registered nurses should check with the ANA or the International Association of Forensic Nurses (IAFN) for additional information about this popular career. 

online school, nursing, distance learning, forensic nursing, law enforcement, professional certificate

Popularity: 22% [?]

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