Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – Cadets who graduate from the Illinois State Police Academy are automatically eligible for college credit toward certain degrees at Eastern Illinois, Western Illinois, Governor State, and Southern Illinois at Edwardsville.

Here are the details, provided by the governor’s office:

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

Cadet Danielle Pondel (pictured, right) spoke at the announcement of the new program Thursday, saying, “Although it has been just a few weeks since joining the Illinois State Police Academy, I have come to the realization that law enforcement departments need a wide variety of educational backgrounds. From law to medicine, and everything in between, there isn’t a subject that wouldn’t have a place in the Illinois State Police.”

Pondel aspires to work in the state police division of investigation and said the new program will help her to do that.