The Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) continue to expand recruitment opportunities for future Troopers through innovative agreements with colleges and universities throughout the Commonwealth. Through the Academy Internship Program, eligible seniors at participating institutions can complete their final semester by attending the PSP Academy. Upon successful completion of cadet basic training, students earn the academic credits necessary to graduate while simultaneously beginning their career as a Pennsylvania State Trooper. Students interested in finishing their final semester at the PSP Academy through the college internship program must apply by September 30, 2026.
“The foundation of our mission is to protect our communities across the Commonwealth, and that begins with recruiting the next generation of Pennsylvania State Troopers,” said Lieutenant Colonel George L. Bivens, Acting Commissioner of the Pennsylvania State Police.
The PSP currently has agreements with 27 colleges and universities, including four Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE) institutions, and seven additional agreements in progress, through its Academy Internship and Law Enforcement Academic Partnership (LEAP) programs. These initiatives create flexible pathways for students and Troopers to earn college credit while preparing for or advancing a career with the PSP.
The current list of colleges and universities participating in the internship program includes:
- Alvernia University
- Central Penn College
- DeSales University
- Elizabethtown College
- Erie County Community College
- Harrisburg University of Science and Technology
- Keystone College
- Lehigh Carbon Community College
- Luzerne County Community College
- Lycoming College
- Marywood University
- Mercyhurst University
- Misericordia University
- Northampton Community College
- Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
- Saint Vincent College
- Slippery Rock University
- University of Scranton
- Waynesburg University
- York College of Pennsylvania
The PSP has also established a collaborative pathway for both enlisted and retired Troopers to earn college credit for their academy training through the Law Enforcement Academic Partnership (LEAP) Program. This initiative aims to simplify the process for Troopers seeking an associate or undergraduate degree by recognizing their prior learning and reducing course duplication.
The current list of colleges and universities participating in the LEAP program includes:
- American Military University
- Central Penn College
- Commonwealth University of Pennsylvania
- Delaware County Community College
- Elizabethtown College
- Kutztown University
- Neumann University
- Northampton Community College
- Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
- Shippensburg University
- Slippery Rock University
- University of Maryland Global Campus
Under this agreement, Troopers who successfully complete their training at the PSP Academy in Hershey, PA will receive a predetermined number of academic credits applicable towards their degree program. This ensures that the Troopers’ extensive training is formally recognized, allowing them to transition into higher education smoothly and potentially accelerate their degree completion.
