Imagine working 3rd shift, only to finish work at 7 a.m. and drive straight to class, attempting to balance your job, your commute, and your education.

In a field as demanding as corrections, many officials and officers do not have the time or resources to go back to school – even if they want to pursue higher education. For those of us that aren't super heroes, online degree programs may be the answer and many universities are addressing that need – such as Kaplan University, Tiffin and the University of Phoenix.

“I'm a corrections officer, and I need a program like this,” says Norma Overby, a current student of Kaplan's online criminal justice graduate program.

For Overby, the Kaplan program offers more than just a college education online, in the comfort of your home. According to Gene Scaramella, Kaplan's Dean of Graduate Studies in the school of criminal justice, the online graduate degree program meets the needs of professionals in the corrections and criminal justice fields. While the undergraduate online program was launched in 2000, Kaplan is forging ahead with the newest addition to the university.

“We started this program because of a demand for criminal justice education in the midst of a professional movement within corrections. Our programs are based on professional models – we want to provide information and knowledge for criminal justice professionals so they can work while meeting their higher education goals,” Scaramella says.

Technology Creates New Opportunities

According to Ed Shannon, a graduate professor in Kaplan's school of criminal justice, the program is meeting an obvious need using modern technology.

“We offer a flexible program for people interested in the criminal justice field. We teach and advise, we have a thesis support system, and even a thesis coordinator,” Shannon says. “As students progress through the masters' program, things become more individualized, personalized. We have one-on-one phone calls with advisors and a glorified chat room for conferences and communication.”

The chat rooms offer a ‘white board' that allows professors to display images, ideas and lesson plans just as they would in a real classroom – only digitalized. Professors within the program say that these technologies are critical for graduates because they allow more communication with students – and more of a connection with the teacher.

“This is marvelous stuff,” Shannon said. “As a user of technologies, Kaplan is right on the curve of new. It's exciting to be a part of this.”

But Shannon also states that the technology shouldn't scare anyone off.

“This is an e-college designed for the un-tech savvy. Anyone can use these programs, and its intended to be hands-on and user friendly,” Shannon said.

From the Workplace to the Virtual Classroom

Beyond the new technologies, another feature of the online program is a class designed to prepare students for higher positions within the workplace. This class teaches students to prepare yearly budgets, write grants and even find sources of alternative funding.

Students, upon enrollment, have a choice of traditional track or professional track for their studies.

“We have two different types of degree programs. One is largely thesis-based, involving research and a five-chapter thesis. The other program is a non-thesis track, which is ideal for working criminal justice professionals,” said Scaramella.

For most criminal justice professionals who take the professional path, Kaplan University estimates that after completing the program, most students go on to receive promotions that result in almost $5,000 year pay increases.

For some officials, Kaplan's program offers a chance to move into other areas of the field. For instance, a Lieutenant from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania was preparing to retire. He signed up for the Kaplan graduate program, which will allow him to teach after his retirement.

Norma Overby, who is now going forward with a master's degree from Kaplan, suggests that online education still takes commitment and hard work.

“You need to take your education seriously, even if it is online. This program is not easy just because you aren't in a classroom. You still have to make sacrifices and adjustments,” she said.