Pennsylvania State Police cadets receive college credits for training through agreement with Commonwealth University

Commonwealth University (CU) and the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) have announced an agreement that allows cadets to receive college credits for their training. The arrangement enables cadets to receive 20 credits at CU upon graduation from the academy when enrolled in a criminal justice degree program at any CU campus location (Bloomsburg, Lock Haven, Mansfield or Clearfield).

“This agreement, coupled with the department’s elimination of the college credit requirement to become a Pennsylvania state trooper, expands opportunities for a rewarding career in law enforcement and public service,” said Colonel Christoper Paris, PSP commissioner. “The cost of a higher education is often a barrier to earning a degree, and we hope to remove 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,” said Hope Lineman, CU 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.

“Innovative agreements like this are crucial as we continue to foster the growth of workforce development initiatives that will benefit all learners in Pennsylvania. Thank you to all involved for making this agreement possible and for putting the success of students first,” said CU president Bashar W. Hanna. 

Academy training is approximately 28 weeks of rigorous physical activities and educational coursework in Pennsylvania’s crimes and vehicle codes, law enforcement principles and practices, firearms and special equipment training. Upon graduation, cadets are promoted to trooper and receive an increase in salary, currently set at $66,911 annually.