{
    "title": "ILLINOIS STATE POLICE PARTNERS WITH NORTHERN ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY TO CONTINUE EXPANDING EDUCATION OPPORTUNITIES",
    "modified_at": "2026-04-28 22:40:13",
    "published_at": "2026-04-28 20:00:00",
    "url": "https://illinois-state-police.prezly.com/illinois-state-police-partners-with-northern-illinois-university-to-continue-expanding-education-opportunities",
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    "subtitle": "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE",
    "slug": "illinois-state-police-partners-with-northern-illinois-university-to-continue-expanding-education-opportunities",
    "body": "<p style=\"text-align: center\">April 28, 2026</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>DeKALB</strong> &ndash; The Illinois State Police (ISP) is partnering with Northern Illinois University (NIU) to advance educational opportunities to build an even stronger law enforcement agency. \u200b Through a Credit for Prior Learning Agreement, ISP cadets who graduate from the ISP Academy will receive credit toward an advanced degree. \u200b </p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">&ldquo;The Illinois State Police&rsquo;s partnership with Northern Illinois University represents our ongoing commitment to professional development and lifelong learning for our officers,&rdquo; said ISP Director Brendan F. Kelly. \u200b &ldquo;The opportunity to pursue a higher education degree upon successful completion of the ISP Academy is a testament to the value we place on education and excellence in public service.&rdquo;</p><p>NIU will offer nine credit hours to ISP Academy graduates who are admitted to a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree in Public Service Leadership, Criminology, or General Studies.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">&ldquo;Through our partnership with the Illinois State Police, NIU continues to demonstrate how intentional, well-aligned collaborations can create meaningful pathways for student success,&rdquo; said Alicia Schatteman, Vice Provost for Academic Affairs. &ldquo;By recognizing the rigorous training completed at the ISP Academy as credit for prior learning, we are not only accelerating time to degree, but also building clear, efficient pathways that honor students&rsquo; professional experience while strengthening the future of public service.&rdquo;</p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">In state, NIU joins Eastern Illinois University, Governors State University, Illinois State University, Southern Illinois University Carbondale, Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, and Western Illinois University in offering credit hours toward an advanced degree, as well as the American Public University and the University of Maryland Global Campus.</p><p> \u200b </p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>American Public University</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>39 credit hours toward a Criminal Justice Major</span></li></ul><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong> </strong></p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Eastern Illinois University</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>12 hours awarded toward the Interdisciplinary Program</span></li><li><span>$1,000 annual scholarship for two years </span></li></ul><p style=\"text-align: justify\"> </p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Governors State University </strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>33 hours awarded toward a bachelor&rsquo;s degree in criminal justice with completion of ISP Cadet training</span></li><li><span>48 hours awarded toward a bachelor&rsquo;s degree in criminal justice with completion of ISP Cadet training, four years of service, and completion of Sergeant Exam</span></li><li><span>Up to 90 hours towards a bachelor&rsquo;s degree in criminal justice with completion of ISP Cadet training, an associate&rsquo;s degree, four years of service, and completion of Sergeant Exam</span></li><li><span>Master&rsquo;s Degree is varying credits depending on major</span></li></ul><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong> </strong></p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Illinois State University</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>6 hours toward a Criminal Justice Science Degree</span></li></ul><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong> </strong></p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Northern Illinois University</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>9 credit hours with completion of ISP Cadet training toward a Bachelor of Arts or Science<strong> </strong>in Criminology, Bachelor of General Studies, or Bachelor of Science in Public Service Leadership</span></li></ul><p>&nbsp;</p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Southern Illinois University Carbondale</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Up to 15 hours toward a Criminal Justice Degree</span></li></ul><p style=\"text-align: justify\"> </p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Southern Illinois University Edwardsville</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Up to 15 hours awarded toward a Criminal Justice Major or Liberal Studies Major</span></li><li><span>May submit materials for consideration of additional hours toward electives</span></li></ul><p style=\"text-align: justify\"> </p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>University of Maryland Global Campus</strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>Up to 60 hours toward a Criminal Justice Degree</span></li></ul><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong> </strong></p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"><strong>Western Illinois University </strong></p><ul class=\"release-content-list release-content-list--bulleted release-content-list--align-inherit\"><li><span>12 hours awarded toward an internship for fieldwork experience</span></li></ul><p style=\"text-align: justify\">&nbsp;</p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">ISP also provides tuition reimbursement for ISP officers with at least one year of service who complete work-related courses.</p><p style=\"text-align: justify\">To learn more about joining ISP, visit <a href=\"https://illinoistrooper.com/\">https://illinoistrooper.com/</a>. \u200b </p><p style=\"text-align: justify\"> </p><p style=\"text-align: center\">###</p><p>&nbsp;</p><div class=\"release-content-contact\" id=\"contact-2d8582c3-6660-46ec-be9a-ede92e8776d0\">\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__avatar\"><img src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/c186f24e-632d-4a36-87df-aa1eb28e1989/-/crop/425x425/63,0/-/preview/-/scale_crop/128x128/center/-/format/auto/\" alt=\"Illinois State Police\" class=\"release-content-contact__avatar-image\" /></div>\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__details\">\n        <strong class=\"release-content-contact__name\">Illinois State Police</strong>\n        <em class=\"release-content-contact__description\">Public Information Office, Office of the Director</em>\n        <ul class=\"release-content-contact__details-list\"><li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"mailto:ISP.PIO.Personnel@illinois.gov\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"ISP.PIO.Personnel@illinois.gov\"><svg class=\"icon icon-paper-plane release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-paper-plane\"></use>\n            </svg>ISP.PIO.Personnel@illinois.gov</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"https://twitter.com/@ILStatePolice\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"@ILStatePolice\"><svg class=\"icon icon-twitter release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-twitter\"></use>\n            </svg>@ILStatePolice</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"https://www.facebook.com/ILStatePolice/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"ILStatePolice\"><svg class=\"icon icon-facebook release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-facebook\"></use>\n            </svg>ILStatePolice</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"https://isp.illinois.gov/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"isp.illinois.gov\"><svg class=\"icon icon-browser release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-browser\"></use>\n            </svg>isp.illinois.gov</a></li></ul>\n    </div>\n</div><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p>",
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            "company": "Office of the Director",
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