Our Degrees
Image: FEPPS graduates seated at commencement ceremony in caps and gowns.
Image: Tacoma Community College diplomas ready to be given to FEPPS graduates.
Image: FEPPS student signs their acceptance letter to the University of Puget Sound
Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies
AA graduates are admitted to the University of Puget Sound as transfer students.
BA students will take two courses each in the Social Sciences, Humanities, Natural Sciences or Mathematics, and two additional courses in one of the above areas.
Students will define an emphasis for their degree through a Capstone Project, or major research project, rooted in their chosen theme.
To the best of our knowledge, this is the seventh Bachelors program in a women’s prison nationally and the first degree of its kind in Washington State.
Associate of Arts (Direct Transfer Agreement)
Students take 90 credits in Composition, Mathematics, Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences, and Physical Education.
FEPPS students take courses in Student Success and Library Science to prepare them for research-intensive coursework.
Course offerings have included over 90 unique courses Marine Biology, Black Cultural Studies, Sociology of Sport, Primatology, Political Theory, Spanish and German Language, Human Nutrition, Sociology, Statistics, Inorganic Chemistry, Creative Writing, Yoga and more. Explore the whole history of FEPPS course offerings below!
Since 2016, 72 students have earned their AA DTA through FEPPS.
Classes Offered
Since accreditation by Tacoma Community College in 2014 (and then University of Puget Sound in 2020), FEPPS has offered over 200 college and pre-college classes (over 90 unique courses), spanning a wide range of disciplines. More than 140 instructors from 28 different academic, research and community institutions have taught these classes, many of them as unpaid volunteers.
Fall 2024 Classes
College 101: College Success, Nadra Fredj, Seattle University
Math Prep I & II: Kirsten Otterby, South Kitsap High School
English Prep, Blaine Hunt, Tacoma Community College
English 101, Blaine Hunt, Tacoma Community College
Environmental Science 101: Introduction to Environmental Science, Zho Ragen, University of Washington
Summer 2024 Classes
History 146: Early US History, Kurt Shaffer, Bates Technical College
Sociology 201: Social Problems, Anna Hackman, Seattle Central College
Spring 2024 Classes
English 280, Mark Petterson and Phebe Jewell, Seattle Central College
English 102, Blaine Hunt, Tacoma Community College
Math 107: Math in Society, Carlea McAvoy, South Puget Sound College
College 101: Student Success, Nadra Fredj, Seattle University
Sociology 101: Introduction to Sociology, Kristi Rendahl, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Physics 114: General Physics I, Brandon Montemuro, Saint Michael’s College
Winter 2024 Classes
English 101, Blaine Hunt, Tacoma Community College
Math Prep II, Emily Boyce, South Puget Sound College
Math 107: Math in Society, Carlea McAvoy, South Puget Sound College
College 101: Student Success, Nadra Fredj, Seattle University
Sociology 271: Deviance and Social Control, Liam Nold, Seattle University School of Law
PE 142: Introduction to Yoga, Faraji Bhakti, Yoga Behind Bars
English 238: Afrofuturism (BA course)
Environment 382: Global Environmental Politics (BA course)
Liberal Studies Capstone (BA course)
Fall 2023 Classes
English Prep, Mary DeWine, Science & Math Institute, Tacoma Public Schools
Math Prep, Carlea McAvoy, South Puget Sound College
College 101: College Success, Nadra Fredj, Seattle University
Humanities 179, Special Topics: Identities & Intersectionalities, Phebe Jewell & Kayleen Oka, Seattle Central College
Business 340, Law & Ethics in Business, Lisa Johnson, University of Puget Sound (BA course)
Greek, Latin & Mediterranean Studies 322: Race & Ethnicity in the Ancient World, Eric Olin, University of Puget Sound (BA course)
History 369, History of the West and Pacific Northwest, Douglas Sackman, University of Puget Sound
Summer 2023 Classes
Psychology 190: Human Sexuality, Mia Lawrie, University of Washington-Seattle
Biology 310: Biology of Climate Change, Meera Lee Sethi & Kelli Hvorecny, University of Washington-Seattle (BA course)
Politics & Government 244: American Political Thought, Seth Weinberger
Experiential Learning 101 & 201: Career Awareness and Experiential Learning, Rebecca Pettitt and Nicole Kendrick (BA courses)
Spring 2023 Classes
Biology 160: General Cell Biology, Riddhi Sood
Math 107: Math in Society, Carlea McAvoy, South Puget Sound College
PE 155: Fast Fitness, Eric Wylie
SOC 101: Introduction to Sociology, Anna Hackman, Seattle Central College
Connections 354: Hormones, Society, Sex & Self, Melvin Rouse, University of Puget Sound (BA course)
African American Studies 305, Black Fictions & Feminisms, Renee Simms, University of Puget Sound (BA course)
Fall 2022 Classes
SOC 201: Social Problems, Anna Hackman, Seattle Central College
BIOL 100: Introduction to Biology, Meera Lee Sethi, University of Washington-Seattle
SOAN 202: Families in Society, Lindsay Custer, University of Puget Sound (BA Course)
BIO 310: Plants in a Changing World, Bryan Thines, University of Puget Sound (BA Course)
Summer 2022 Classes
HUM 285: The City (Paris), Leah Montange, University of Toronto
SCI 105L: Special Topics (Cancer), Riddhi Sood, University of Indiana
HIST 220: African American History, Brukab Sisay, University of Washington
HIST 214: Pacific Northwest History, Kurt Schaefer, Bates Technical College
Spring 2022 Classes
HUM 179: Special Topics in Humanties (What We Know), Anthony Zaragoza, Evergreen State College
Math Prep Review, Carlea McAvoy, South Puget Sound College
Fall 2021 Classes
PE 170: Independent Fitness, Eric Wylie, Lakeside Health Coaching
SOC 262: Race and Ethnic Relations, Anna Hackman, Seattle Central College
ENGL 242: Contemporary Non-Western Literature, Blaine Hunt, Tacoma Community College
MATH 146: Introduction to Statistics, Aneesh Hariharan, University of Washington
ENGL 211: Creative Writing, Liza Birnbaum, Highline College (BA course)
SSI2: Borders and Borderscapes, Leah Montange, University of Toronto (BA course)
Summer 2021 Classes
PE 100: Total Fitness, Eric Wylie, Studio Fitness/Lakewood YMCA
College Math Readiness Workshop, Quintin Lenti, University of Puget Sound
PHIL 370: Social and Political Philosophy, Paul Tubig & Anna Bates, University of Washington (BA course)
Spring 2021 Classes
ENGL& 102: Argument and Persuasion, Liza Birnbaum, Highline College
Math 95: Intermediate Algebra, Carlea McAvoy, South Puget Sound College
NUTR 101: Human Nutrition, Tiffany Hensley-McBain, University of Washington
SOC 120: Women’s Studies, Anna Hackman, Seattle Central College
LBST 310A: Liberal Arts and the Construction of Knowledge, Tanya Erzen, University of Puget Sound (BA course)
Fall 2020 Classes
HUM 120: The American Multicultural Arts Experience, Victoria Thomas, East Stroudsburg University
ENGL& 101: English Composition, Liza Birnbaum, Highline College
GERM& 122: German II, Kirsten Christensen, Pacific Lutheran University
Math Prep II, Carlea McAvoy, South Puget Sound Community College
Summer 2020 Classes
PE 100: Total Fitness, Eric Wylie, Studio Fitness/Lakewood YMCA
SPAN& 123: Spanish III, Maria Ferrer-Lightner, Tacoma Community College
GERM& 122: German II, Kirsten Christensen, Pacific Lutheran University
Spring 2020 Classes
College Preparatory Math I, Carlea McAvoy, South Puget Sound Community College
College Preparatory English II, Mary DeWine, the Math and Science Institute in Tacoma, and Blaine Hunt, Tacoma Community College
GERM& 121: German I, Manfred Bansleben & Elisabeth Cnobloch, University of Washington
POLS& 202: American Government, Robin Jacobson & David Sousa, University of Puget Sound
HIST 244: The 1960s, Max Likin, Ph.D., & Kurt Schaefer, Bates Technical College
BIOL& 175: Human Biology, Nicole Arroyo, North Seattle College
PE 142: Introduction to Yoga, Jess Frank & Maggie Wegener, Yoga Behind Bars
Fall 2019 Classes
English Prep I, Mary DeWine, Science and Math Institute, and Blaine Hunt, University of Puget Sound
HUM 179: Black Cultural Studies, Mia Lawrie & Victoria Thomas, University of Washington
SOC 120: Intro to Women's Studies, Anna Hackman, Seattle Central College
BIOL& 100: Survey of Biology, Leslie Saucedo, Bryan Thines, & Peter Wimberger, University of Puget Sound
PHIL& 101: Intro to Philosophy, Paul Tubig & Anna Bates, University of Washington
English 102: Composition II: Argument and Persuasion, Suzanne Warren, University of Puget Sound
PE 100: Total Fitness, Eric Wylie, Studio Fitness/Lakewood YMCA
HD 101: Student Success, Tanya Erzen, Jennifer Bright, Zoe Brown, Rachael Shelden, FEPPS Staff and University of Puget Sound
Summer 2019 Classes
SOC 222: Sociology of Sport, Michele Cadigan, University of Washington and Anthony Zaragoza, Evergreen State College
Math 146: Statistics, Barb Toews, University of Washington Tacoma
ANTH 245: Introduction to Primates, Lisa Jones-Engel, University of Washington
PE 170: Independent Fitness, Eric Wylie, Studio Fitness/Lakewood YMCA
English Workshop: Intensive Writing, Laurel Rayburn & Kerry Dunn, Pacific Lutheran University
Spring 2019 Classes
Math 95, Matthew Mburu, Tacoma Community College and Natasha Arora, Renton School District
ENGL 101: Social Power and the Writing Voice, Laurel Rayburn, Harvard Extension School and Adie Kleckner, Green River College
LS 101: Intro to Research, Amy Stewart-Mailhiot, Saint Martin's University
POLS& 201: Intro to Political Theory, Seth Weinberger & Alisa Kessel, University of Puget Sound
HIST& 147: 19th Century History, Kurt Schaefer, Bates College
BIO& 140: Marine Biology, Beth Phillips, National Academies of Science/NOAA NWFSC
ENGL 276/278: Integrated Creative Writing & Poetry, Phebe Jewell & Jeb Wyman, Seattle Central College
PE 100: Total Fitness, Eric Wylie, Studio Fitness/Lakewood YMCA
Winter 2019 Classes
College Preparatory Math II, Taylor Stafford, Saraswati Noel, and Connor Ahlbach, University of Washington
College Preparatory English II, Laurel Rayburn & Adie Kleckner
SPAN& 122: Spanish II, Maria Ferrer-Lightner, Tacoma Community College
ENGL 102: Argument and Persuasion, Blaine Hunt, Tacoma Community College
HD 101: Student Success, Rachael Shelden, University of Puget Sound
MATH 107: Math in Society, Matthew Mburu, Tacoma Community College
NUTR& 101: Human Nutrition, Jamie Clayton
SOC 101, Social Problems, Gilda Sheppard, Evergreen College and Marcia Arunga, Seattle Central College
PE 142: Introduction to Yoga, Rosa Vissers & Jess Frank, Yoga Behind Bars
Fall 2018 Classes
Math Prep I, Connor Ahlbach, Taylor Staffod, & Eli Johnson, University of Washington
English Prep I, Safiya Karmy-Jones, University of Washington
MATH 146: Intro to Stats, Sarah Moore &Tim Beyer, University of Puget Sound
HIST& 148: US History III, Kurt Schaefer, Bates College
PHIL& 101: Intro to Philosophy, Paul Tubig & Sofia Huerter, University of Washington
SOC& 201: Social Problems, Anna Hackman, Seattle Central College
SPAN& 121: Spanish I, Maria Ferrer-Lightner, Tacoma Community College
Summer 2018 Classes
Math Prep II, Nadya Zimmerman, Cornish College of the Arts
Math 107: Math in Society, Sami Davies & Amzi Jeffs, University of Washington
CHEM& 121L: Inorganic Chemistry, Laura Taylor & Lucian DiPeso, University of Washington
HIST& 128: World Civ III, Max Likin, Ph.D.
PSYC 202: Biopsychology, Lauren Kruse & Lauren Graham, University of Washington
PE 100: Total Fitness, Eric Wylie, Studio Fitness/Lakewood YMCA
CMST 110: Multicultural Communication, Victoria Thomas & Meshell Sturgis, University of Washington
Spring 2018 Classes
ENGL 271: Contemporary American Fiction, Phebe Jewell & Erin Steinke, Seattle Central Community College
PSYC& 100: General Psychology, Tim Beyer & Sarah Moore, University of Puget Sound
POLS 231: Politics and Film, Anthony Zaragoza & Gilda Sheppard, The Evergreen State College
PE 142: Introduction to Yoga, Yoga Behind Bars
Introduction to Research Workshops, Kate Cofell, University of Washington
Math Foundations I & III, Pre-College Math Pre-Statistic Preparation
Winter 2018 Classes
College Preparatory Math II, Lucas Van Meter & Graham Gordon, University of Washington
English 95, Latoya Reid, Tacoma Community College
SPAN& 122: Spanish II, Maria Ferrer-Lightner, Tacoma Community College
HIST 231: American History, American Film, Kurt Schaefer, Bates College
ANTH& 205: Biological Anthropology, Marianne Jacobs, Green River Community College
CMST& 220: Public Speaking, Victoria Thomas & Meshell Sturgis, University of Washington
POLS& 202: American Government, Emily Christensen & Emily Gade, University of Washington
Fall 2017 Classes
College Preparatory Math I, Nathan Lee, Shorewood High School
English 85, Blaine Hunt, Tacoma Community College
SOC 120: Introduction to Women’s Studies, Gilda Sheppard & Barbara Laners, Evergreen State College
SPAN& 121: Spanish I, Maria Ferrer-Lightner, Tacoma Community College
HUM 285: The City – New York, Anna Sharijat & Bob Hodges, University of Washington
Math 107: Math in Society, Lucas Van Meter & Graham Gordon, University of Washington
BIOL& 100: Survey of Biology with Lab, Bryan Thines, University of Puget Sound; Emily Jacobs-Palmer, Harvard University and Phoenix Charter Academy; Winnie Ho, University of Washington
Summer 2017 Classes
College Preparatory Math II, Lisa Jilk & Jessica Griffin, Seattle Public Schools
ENGL& 102: Composition II: Argument and Persuasion, Mary DeWine, Tacoma Community College
SOC& 201: Sociology of Social Problems, Katie Gillespie, Wesleyan University
PE 100: Total Fitness, Susan Moore, Better Gym
PE 142: Introduction to Yoga, Rosa Vissers & Jess Frank, Yoga Behind Bars
ECON& 201: Microeconomics, Porsche Landon, Boeing Company
BIOL& 175: Human Biology with Lab, Laura Taylor, University of Washington
CMST 110: Multicultural Communication, Victoria Thomas, University of Washington
Spring 2017 Classes
College Preparatory Math I, Lisa Jilk
ENGL& 101: English Composition I, Margaret Whittemore, North Seattle College
Math& 107: Math in Society, Carlea McAvoy, South Puget Sound Community College
HUM 120: The American Multicultural Arts Experience , Phebe Jewell & Mark Peterson, Seattle Central Community College
PHIL& 101: Introduction to Philosophy, Paul Tubig, University of Washington
BIOL& 160: General Cell Biology, Katie Burleigh & Laura Taylor, University of Washington
HIST& 219: Native American History, Kurt Schaefer, Bates College
Winter 2017 Classes
English 95, Margaret Whittemore, North Seattle College
College Preparatory Math II, Nadya Zimmerman, Cornish College of the Arts
ENGL& 102: Composition II: Argument and Persuasion, Margaret Whittemore, North Seattle College
CMST& 101: Introduction to Communication, Victoria Thomas, University of Washington
PSYC 202: Biopsychology, Lauren Kruse & Lauren Graham, University of Washington
SOC& 101: Introduction to Sociology, Rachel Luft, Seattle University
ENVS& 101: Introduction to Environmental Science, Nancy Sola-Llonch, Seattle Community Colleges and Kelsey Ketcheson, Washington State University Extension Program
Fall 2016 Classes
English 85, Margaret Whittemore, North Seattle Community College
College Preparatory Math I, Nadya Zimmerman, Cornish College of the Arts
ENGL& 101: English Composition I, Margaret Whittemore, North Seattle Community College
Introduction to Higher Education, Shireen Deboo, South Seattle College
MATH& 107: Math in Society, Riley Casper & Niket Thakkar, University of Washington
SPAN& 122: Spanish II, Maria Ferrer-Lightner, Pacific Lutheran University and Lisa Caballero, University of Washington
PHIL& 101: Introduction to Philosophy, Blake Hereth & Paul Tubig, University of Washington
PSYC& 100: Introduction to Psychology, Lauren Graham & Victoria Thomas, University of Washington
BIOL& 175: Human Biology with Lab, Lisa Voelker, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center and Tiffany Hensley, University of Washington
PE 100: Total Fitness, Cari Collins, Tom Taylor Family YMCA
PE 142: Introduction to Yoga, Rosa Vissers & Patricia Snavely-Vogel, Yoga Behind Bars
Summer 2016 Classes
English 95, Andrea Delgado and Yasi Naraghi, University of Washington
English 95, Minimum Security Campus, Margaret Whittemore, North Seattle College
College Preparatory Math II, Victoria Ichungwa, Tacoma Community College and Susan Blythe-Goodman, South Seattle College
ENGL& 102: Composition II: Argument and Persuasion, Jessica Campbell & Rachel Shields, University of Washington
SPAN& 121: Spanish I, Maria Ferrer-Lightner, Pacific Lutheran University and Lisa Caballero, University of Washington
SOC 247: Sociology of Media, Politics, and Society, Curtis Coats, Millsaps College, and Victoria Thomas, University of Washington
OCEA& 101: Introduction to Oceanography, Katie Lalish & Rachel Spietz, University of Washington
ENGL 280: Literature of Diversity, Laurel Rayburn, Harvard Extension and Jennifer Smith, Pacific Lutheran University
PE 108: Beginning Weight Training, Cari Collins, Tom Taylor Family YMCA
Spring 2016 Classes
English 85, Mary DeWine, Tacoma Community College, Kristen Orlando, Wilson High School and Margaret Whittemore, North Seattle Community College
English 85, Minimum Security Campus, Margaret Whittemore, North Seattle Community College
College Preparatory Math I, Matthew Mburu, Tacoma Community College and Susan Blythe-Goodman South Seattle Community College
FEPPS: Introduction to Higher Education, Mary Weir, Freedom Education Project Puget Sound
ENGL& 101: English Composition I, Alison Walker-Stromdahl & James Liner, University of Washington
LS 101: Introduction to Research Strategies, Shireen Deboo, South Seattle Community College
MATH& 107: Math in Society, Matt Junge & Riley Casper, University of Washington
BIOL& 100: Introduction to Biology, Leonard Jones & pRebecca Harris, University of Washington and Lisa Voelker, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
HUM 285: The City: Paris and the Humanities, Stuart Smithers, University of Puget Sound and Nadya Zimmerman, Cornish College of the Arts
ENGL& 220: Introduction to Shakespeare, Devon Hodges, George Mason University
Fall 2015 Classes
POLS& 203: International Relations, Seth Weinberger, University of Puget Sound and Vanessa Quince, University of Washington
ENGL 234: Introduction to Mythology and Folklore, Jessica Campbell & Alex Gray, University of Washington
ENVS& 101: Introduction to Environmental Science, Anna Spaulding, North Seattle Community College and Nancy Giese Sola-Llonch, Seattle Central Community College
ENGL 103: Composition III: Writing about Literature, Phebe Jewell & Mark Petterson, Seattle Central Community College
English 95, Margaret Whittemore, North Seattle Community College
College Preparatory Math II:, Victoria Ichungwa, Tacoma Community College and Samantha Chandler, St. Martins University
Summer 2015 Classes
SOC 120: Introduction to Women’s Studies, Laurel Rayburn, Harvard Extension School and Jennifer Smith, Pacific Lutheran University
LS 101: Introduction to Research Strategies, Lizz Zitron, Pacific Lutheran University
ENGL& 101: English Composition I, Phebe Jewell & Mark Petterson, Seattle Central Community College
SPAN& 122: Spanish II, Maria Ferrer-Lightner, Pacific Lutheran University, and Lisa Tittle, University of Washington
MATH& 107: Math in Society, Aneesh Hariharan, University of Washington and Haley Skipper, University of Washington – Tacoma
PE 142: Introduction to Yoga, Rosa Vissers & Patricia Snavely-Vogel, Yoga Behind Bars
English 85, Margaret Whittemore, North Seattle Community College
College Preparatory Math I, Matthew Mburu, Tacoma Community College and Alice Howey
FEPPS: Introduction to Higher Education, Mary Weir, Freedom Education Project Puget Sound and Kira Geselowitz, University of Washington
Spring 2015 Classes
ENGL 103: Composition III: Writing about Literature, Kiran Mascarenhas, Seattle Pacific University and Maggie Trapp, University of California at Berkeley Extension
PSYC& 100: General Psychology, Tim Beyer, University of Puget Sound and Izabela Grey, Pacific Lutheran University
SPAN& 121: Spanish II, Maria Ferrer-Lightner, Pacific Lutheran University and Lisa Caballero, The University of Washington
MATH& 107: Math in Society, Matt Junge, The University of Washington
College Preparatory Math II, Chloe Huber, University of Washington
English 95, Mary DeWine, Tacoma Community College and Kristen Orlando, Wilson High School
Fall 2014 Classes
ENGL& 101: English Composition I, Annie Dwyer & Julie Kae, University of Washington
ENGL 103: Composition III: Writing about Literature, Laurel Rayburn, Harvard Extension School and Ann Putnam, University of Puget Sound
POLS& 202: American Government, Robin Jacobson & Seth Weinberger, University of Puget Sound
College Preparatory Math I, Matthew Mburu, Tacoma Community College and Aneesh Hariharan, University of Washington
College Preparatory Math II, Matt Junge & Chloe Huber, University of Washington
English 85, Kiran Mascarenhas, Graduate Center of the City University of New York and Katie Derthick, University of Washington
Spring 2014 Classes
English 101, Laurel Rayburn, Harvard Extension School
Sociology 101, Gilda Sheppard, Evergreen State College
College Preparatory Math, Aneesh Hariharan, The University of Washington
English 95: College Preparatory English, Mary DeWine, Tacoma Community College
Fall 2013 Classes
Spanish Level 1, Maria Ferrer-Lightner, Pacific Lutheran University
College Preparatory Math, Matthew Mburu, Tacoma Community College
English 95: College Preparatory Reading and Writing, Laurel Rayburn, Harvard Extension School
Summer 2013 Classes
College Preparatory Math, Matthew Mburu, Tacoma Community College
College Preparatory Reading and Writing, Mary DeWine, Tacoma Community College
Spring 2013 Classes
Introduction to Psychology, Tim Beyer, University of Puget Sound
Women and Citizenship in US History, Tanya Erzen, University of Puget Sound
Spanish Level 2, Maria Ferrer-Lightner, Pacific Lutheran University
Information Literacy and How to do Research, Shireen Deboo, Faculty Librarian, South Seattle Community College, Quill West, Faculty Librarian, Tacoma Community College, Rachel Goon, Faculty Librarian, Tacoma Community College
Fall 2012 Classes
Spanish Level 1, Maria Ferrer-Lightner, Pacific Lutheran University
Race and U.S. Politics, Robin Jacobson, University of Puget Sound
English Literature and Creative Writing, Priti Joshi, University of Puget Sound
College Preparatory Reading and Writing, Mary DeWine, Tacoma Community College
Summer 2012 Classes
Introduction to American literature, Gillian Harkins, University of Washington
Introduction to International Relations, Seth Weinberger, University of Puget Sound
Spring 2012 Classes
Sociology and Digital Literacy, Gilda Sheppard, Evergreen State College
Philosophy, Capital and Culture, Stuart Smithers, University of Puget Sound
Introduction to Global Religions and Theories of Religion, Tanya Erzen, University of Puget Sound
English Composition and College Preparatory English, Mary DeWine, Tacoma Community College
“As a student, I am motivated not just by my desire to earn a degree, but by being in the classroom with other people who are accepting the challenge with me. When all of us reach that “Aha!” moment together, it’s like a second wind when I’m running. The moment you realize, I can do this! I AM doing this!”
— 2016 AA Graduate