DAUPHIN COUNTY, Pa. — The Pennsylvania State Police and Commonwealth University have announced that troopers will have the opportunity to receive college credits upon completion of cadet basic training at the Pennsylvania State Police Academy in Hershey.
“The PSP Academy is one of the top law enforcement training programs in the nation,” Pa.'s Secretary of Administration Neil Weaver said in a press release. “The opportunity to receive college credits recognizes the exceptional quality of this program and the caliber of individuals who graduate to become state troopers.”
Commonwealth University's budget for 2024-25 will provide $16 million for four cadet classes throughout the first fiscal year. The credits received from the school will go towards an Associate or Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice.
Both PSP and Commonwealth University believe that this partnership will provide troops with more career opportunities at a lower cost.
“This agreement, coupled with the department’s suspension of the college credit requirement to become a Pennsylvania state trooper, expands opportunities for a rewarding career in law enforcement and public service,” PSP Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris said. “The cost of a higher education is often a barrier to earning a degree, and we hope to reduce that barrier by assisting women and men who take the alternate route of completing college after starting their career.”
“As more working learners look for programs that will help them realize their career ambitions, we have an opportunity to steward that attainment,” adds Hope Lineman, Commonwealth University's executive director of workforce development. “Commonwealth University is focused on improving equitable access, removing financial barriers and meeting learners where they are at, allowing them to step in and out of education as they need to. We are excited to enter into this agreement to allow for recognition of the State Police Academy training that places state troopers that much closer to degree attainment and upward career mobility.”
Anyone interested in applying to be a PSP cadet must have a high school diploma or GED certificate, a driver's license from any state, be at least 20 years old at the time of applying, must be between ages 21 and 39 when beginning training and must be a Pa. resident at the time of graduation.
No previous experience in law enforcement is necessary.
