In an effort to combat police shortages across the Commonwealth, Pennsylvania State Police will remove the college credit requirement for residents who want to serve as state troopers.
“Policing is a noble profession, and this is the finest law enforcement agency in the nation. We need to show those who want to serve that this door of opportunity is open – and we want you on our team,” said Gov. Josh Shapiro during the official announcement this week.
The previous educational requirement of 60 college credits has been in place since the 1990s. Officials said waiving the college degree requirement on a trial basis for this next period of cadet applications will help the PSP attract and retain quality talent, and the change to the requirement will be re-evaluated pending results.
“Filling the ranks of the Pennsylvania State Police with women and men dedicated to serving the people of Pennsylvania is of utmost importance,” said Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Colonel Christopher Paris. “The elimination of the college credit requirement will open the door to a rewarding career for many who would make exemplary troopers but would not have otherwise had the opportunity.”
Cadet applicants must possess a high school diploma or GED certificate and a valid driver’s license. Applicants must be at least 20 years old at the time of application, and they must be at least 21 years old and cannot have reached age 40 upon entry into the training academy. Cadets must be a Pennsylvania resident at the time of graduation.
Applicants who meet all eligibility requirements will be given a written examination, followed by a polygraph examination, background investigation, physical readiness test, medical screening, and psychological screening before training at the academy.
Upon completion of the training academy, cadets are promoted to trooper and receive an increase in salary, set at $66,911 annually.
“Our State Police Academy trains highly capable public servants who work hard to make our communities safer,” said Shapiro. “Now the PSP have dropped the college credit requirement for state troopers to empower those who want to serve their community and open even more doors for Pennsylvanians to chart their own course and succeed.”
