SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — On Thursday, Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois State Police Director Brendan F. Kelly announced new partnerships with public universities in Illinois to enhance educational opportunities for troopers and officers, thereby strengthening the law enforcement agency.
Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and Western Illinois University will offer credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree for troopers and officers who graduate from the ISP Academy.
“Investing in our Illinois State Police officers is not only the right thing to do – it is one of the most important things we can do for public safety,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Today, I am proud to announce a new initiative that recognizes their dedication and supports their continued growth. Through partnerships with our state’s public universities, ISP cadet graduates will now earn college credit toward a degree for their rigorous training – an investment that equips our officers with the tools they need to succeed.”
Illinois' program is among the most comprehensive in the nation, thanks to partnerships with public universities that provide ISP Academy graduates with a significant number of credit hours toward a degree.
“The most important tools of our Illinois State Police officers are not their badges, or guns, or handcuffs, but their hearts, minds, and souls,” said ISP Director Brendan Kelly. “Partnering with these academic institutions strengthens their minds, their careers, and their ability to protect the people of Illinois.”
Troopers and officers can earn the following credit hours upon completing ISP cadet training:
Eastern Illinois University
- 12 hours awarded toward the Interdisciplinary Program
- $1,000 annual scholarship for two years
Governors State University
- 33 hours awarded toward a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice
- 48 hours awarded toward a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with 4 years of service and completion of Sergeant Exam
- 42 hours awarded toward an associate degree in criminal justice with 4 years of service and completion of Sergeant Exam
Southern Illinois University Edwardsville
- 8 hours awarded toward a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice or liberal studies
Western Illinois University
- 12 hours awarded toward an internship for fieldwork experience
ISP has established an agreement with the American Public University System, which allows for the transfer of 39 credit hours toward a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. They are also partnering with other universities to create similar programs.
Additionally, ISP provides tuition reimbursement for troopers who have completed at least one year of service and are taking work-related courses.
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