Guide to Online Education > Online Education In-Depth > Meet Real Online Students > Barbara, BS in Criminal Justice
Name: Barbara Merritt
Age: 41
Marital Status: Divorced
Future Goal: Work in Homeland Security
Quote: "I've overcome numerous barriers to get here. Nothing in the world is going to stop me from getting my education."
School: Colorado Technical University
Target: B.S. Criminal Justice
She opted not to attend college right away. "I wanted to relax and do the things a teenager wants to do."
Marriage to a military man brought multiple moves and children.
But she always knew she wanted to get an education. Now she is finally a college student—mature and motivated.
Now she is actually interested in the work; especially the group projects.
For one project the students in her group were tasked with tracking a defendant's progress through the juvenile system. Then they had to debate the merits of home detainment, coupled with a weekly meeting with a probation officer versus incarceration until the age of 18. She concluded that the former "where the defendant could work in the community and put back what he destroyed" was the better option.
Just months from graduation, Barb can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel. She is already looking into the future.
She estimates the cost of earning her degree to be $25,900. Pell Grants, student loans and tuition assistance have helped her shoulder the cost. She believes it will benefit her.
"It will give me the upper advantage to get a higher paying job with job stability." Ultimately she would like to work in Homeland Security.
Her online degree has been an investment in herself. It has also been an example to her children.
"I want them to see that if I can do it, they can do it."
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