Minnesota Department of Corrections Education

Postsecondary Education

Postsecondary programs in the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) aim to provide incarcerated individuals access to higher education degrees and career technical certifications aligned with the state’s workforce needs. Academic and vocational offerings foster personal growth, reduce recidivism, improve job opportunities, and promote successful integration into society. Higher education programs reduce violence in prisons, and those who participate are not only significantly less likely to return to prison after release but often serve as role models and mentors while inside. Through strategic partnerships with educational institutions, DOC’s college in prison programs cultivate a culture of learning within Minnesota state correctional facilities and contribute to a more equitable and rehabilitative justice system.

Career and Technical
Degree Programs and Partners
PEP Process and Application

Programs Offered	Accrediting/Credentialing Body	Facility
Short-Term Industry-Recognized Credentials
Drywall Installation	Century College	Faribault
Floor Covering Installation	Century College	Faribault
Forklift Training	Hibbing Community College	Togo*, Rush City
OSHA 10		Togo, Rush City
Serv Safe Certification - Tiers II and III		Rush City, Shakopee

Other CTE Programming
Barbering/Cosmetology	Barber/Cosmetology Boards	St. Cloud, Shakopee
Cabinetmaking	Century College	Faribault, Stillwater
Carpentry	Century College	Faribault, Moose Lake
Computer Careers	Century College/CISCO Networking Academy	Moose Lake, Stillwater, Shakopee
Computer Network Cabling	C-Tech	Lino Lakes, Moose Lake
General Construction		Moose Lake
Heavy Equipment Operator	Century College	Faribault, Rush City
Machine Technology	Century College	Stillwater
Manufacturing Skills	Century College	Faribault
Mechanical Drafting and Design Technology	Century College	Faribault
Painting and Decorating	Century College	Rush City
Tattoo Technician	State Board	Stillwater
Welding	Century College	Stillwater
		*Program currently on hold

Degree-Granting Programs and College Partners

Degree Granting 2 In cooperation with our college partners, DOC offers associate and bachelor’s degree programs, credit-bearing certificate programs, and MN Transfer Curriculum courses across six facilities. Incarcerated students may be eligible for federal Pell Grants and other forms of financial aid to help cover the cost of these programs. To determine eligibility, they are encouraged to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) with assistance from program coordinators or agency staff.

DOC anticipates expanding programs and partners through the new Prison Education Program (PEP) application process (see tab above) and currently offers the following programs:


Credentials Offered	College	Facility
Associate Degrees - AA unless otherwise noted
Liberal Arts	Minneapolis College	Faribault, Lino Lakes, Stillwater
Communications Studies Transfer Pathway	Minneapolis College	Lino Lakes
Business Transfer Pathway (AS)	Minneapolis College	Lino Lakes
Liberal Arts and Sciences	Minnesota State University, Mankato	Shakopee
General Studies	Ashland University (online)	Moose Lake, Shakopee, Stillwater
Business Concentration	Ashland University (online)	Moose Lake, Shakopee, Stillwater
Bachelor's Degrees - BA unless otherwise noted
Interdisciplinary Studies	Metro State University	Faribault, Stillwater
Communication with minor¹	Ashland University (online)	Moose Lake, Shakopee, Stillwater
Interdisciplinary Studies (BS) with Science and Professional concentrations	Ashland University (online)	Moose Lake, Shakopee
Organizational Leadership and Development (BS) with minor¹	Ashland University (online)	Moose Lake, Shakopee
¹Ashland University minors: Business Administration, Business Management, Religion, Sociology, Christian Ministry
Legal Studies
Juris Doctor	Mitchell Hamline School of Law	Shakopee, Faribault
Paralegal Certificate	North Hennepin Community College	Shakopee
Other Certificates
Business Essentials	Pine Tech & Community College	Moose Lake, Rush City
Entrepreneurship	Minneapolis College	Lino Lakes
Mechatronics	South Central College	Faribault
MN Transfer Curriculum Courses
Varies	St. Cloud State University	St. Cloud
		*Program currently on hold

Prison Education Program (PEP) Process and Application

Prison Education Programs

DOC is currently accepting applications from public and nonprofit colleges and universities interested in starting (or continuing) degree and credit-bearing certificate programs for students in our facilities. We are looking to partner with institutions whose programs align with our agency’s education goals and that also address Minnesota’s workforce needs.

Federal Pell Grants

Pell Grants are the primary source of federal financial aid for undergraduate college students who have the greatest financial need. As of July 1, 2023 – after more than a quarter century ban – incarcerated students are again eligible to receive Pell Grants to help pay for their studies.

This date also began a new era in higher education in prisons in which colleges interested in offering programs to students utilizing Pell Grants must apply to the US Department of Education to become an approved Prison Education Program (PEP). Prior to that application, required steps include seeking approval from the institution’s accrediting agency and, as a first step, seeking initial approval from DOC.

MN DOC PEP Application

A summary outlining key aspects of the new regulations on Pell Grants and PEPs, as well as helpful resources, can be found on the MN DOC PEP Application Documents button below. DOC’s application for initial PEP approvals is also found here. A section of the document entitled MN DOC Supporting Information for Institutions appears before the MN DOC PEP Application itself. Institutions interested in applying are strongly encouraged to review this supporting information, as it contains information specific to completing the application.

MN DOC PEP Application Documents