Introduction to Criminology
Core law-enforcement topic; NCCRS-recommended
Self-paced online Introduction to Criminology course (Criminology 150). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →IllinoisPublic safety
College credits for Illinois law-enforcement applicants: Illinois State Police education requirements
Checked 15 Nov 2026 by the team. Sources are listed at the end of the page.
The short answer
Illinois State Police education requirements for cadets are an associate degree or at least 60 college credit hours with a C average or better from an accredited institution. The Merit Board may waive the education rule for qualifying military veterans and for active officers with three or more years of service. Chicago and other local departments set their own rules, so check each posting.
The rule
Under the Illinois State Police Merit Board eligibility requirements, a trooper cadet needs an associate degree or 60 college credit hours with a C average or better from an accredited institution, and must be 21, or 20 with that degree or those hours; the education rule may be waived for qualifying military veterans or active law enforcement officers with three or more years of service.
The rule asks for 60 college credit hours or an associate degree, C average or better. The legal source is Illinois State Police Merit Board eligibility requirements.
| Item | Illinois State Police rule | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Education | Associate degree or 60 college credit hours, C average or better, accredited institution | [1] |
| Waiver | Qualifying military veterans or active officers with 3+ years of service | [1] |
| Age | 21, or 20 with an associate degree or 60 college credit hours | [1] |
| Other | US citizen, no felony, valid driver's license, assignment anywhere in Illinois | [1] |
| Testing | PFIT and online Recruitment Examination; 70 or higher enters the pool | [1] |
| Academy | 30 weeks | [1] |
| Local departments | Set their own rules; check each posting | - |
Who decides
Illinois State Police Merit Board decides how this rule applies to you. We read its published rule and the pages below; each was checked on 15 Nov 2026.
Which credits count
What counts
- 60 college credit hours, or an associate degree, from an accredited institution
- A C average or better across those hours
- Credit shown on an accredited college's transcript
What does not count
- Hours without a C average
- A course certificate that no college has posted to a transcript
- Assuming the State Police rule applies to Chicago or another local department; each sets its own
Courses that fit
Each course below is ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended for college credit. Whether it counts here is the decision of the college and of Illinois State Police Merit Board.
Introduction to Psychology
Behaviour and decision-making; ACE-recommended and NCCRS-recommended
Self-paced online Introduction to Psychology course (Psychology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Introduction to Sociology
Communities and social problems; ACE-recommended and NCCRS-recommended
Self-paced online Introduction to Sociology course (Sociology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
English Composition 1
Report writing; NCCRS-recommended
Self-paced online English Composition 1 course (ENG 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Ethics in the Social Sciences
Ethics for public service; NCCRS-recommended
Self-paced online Ethics in the Social Sciences course (Social Science 110). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →The path via a college transcript
- Count your college hoursAdd up the credit hours on every transcript and work out your grade average. You need 60 hours with a C average or better, or an associate degree.
- Check for a waiverIf you are a qualifying veteran or an officer with three or more years of service, ask an ISP recruiter whether the education rule is waived for you.
- Plan the missing hours with a collegeAsk an accredited college in writing which ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses it will post. Credit reaches the Merit Board via a college transcript.
- Confirm with a recruiter in writingAsk an Illinois State Police recruiter in writing whether your planned transcript meets the education rule before the class deadline.
- Apply and prepare for testingSubmit the pre-employment application, then prepare for the PFIT and the online Recruitment Examination on the same day.
TESU, UoPeople and Newlane are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit; ask the college in writing which courses it will post, and ask an ISP recruiter in writing whether the credit meets the education rule.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
What it costs
| Option | Price | For this rule | Price checked |
|---|---|---|---|
| UPI Study PRO | $99 a month, every course | $99 for each month you are subscribed; take as many courses as you finish in that time | 15 Nov 2026 |
| Sophia Learning monthly plan | $99 a month | General hours toward 60; a college must post the credit | 15 Nov 2026 |
| StraighterLine membership | $99 a month plus a course fee | Membership plus a one-time fee per course | 15 Nov 2026 |
Illinois community colleges charge per credit hour for their own courses; check your college's tuition page. Some colleges grant credit for academy training; ask them.
What UPI Study cannot do here
- UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. Our courses count only once an accredited college posts them on its transcript, and the Merit Board decides.
- We could not confirm the current Chicago Police education rule at an official source, so this page does not state one.
- We cannot grant a waiver or speak for the Merit Board or any department.
- We cannot help with the PFIT, the Recruitment Examination or the background check.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
Confirm in writing first
Ask an Illinois State Police recruiter, or the hiring office of your local department, in writing whether your planned college hours meet its education rule, and ask the college in writing which courses it will post, before you enrol.
The State Police rule
The Illinois State Police Merit Board selects trooper candidates. Its eligibility list asks for an associate degree or 60 college credit hours with a C average or better from an accredited institution. The education rule may be waived for qualifying military veterans and for active law enforcement officers with three or more years of service.
College hours also affect age: applicants must be 21, or 20 if they have an associate degree or at least 60 college credit hours. Other conditions include US citizenship, no felony conviction, a valid driver's license and willingness to work anywhere in Illinois.
- Associate degree, or 60 college credit hours
- C average or better, from an accredited institution
- Waiver possible for qualifying veterans and officers with 3+ years
- Age 21, or 20 with the degree or hours
Chicago and other local departments
City and county departments in Illinois hire under their own rules, and their education requirements differ from the State Police rule. We tried to confirm the Chicago Police Department's current requirement at the city's official pages and could not, so this page does not state a figure for Chicago. Read the department's current posting, and ask its recruiting office in writing what education it asks for and whether any waivers apply.
Where online courses fit
The 60 hours can be built from general college courses, as long as they appear on an accredited institution's transcript with a C average or better. Criminology, psychology, sociology, writing and ethics are useful for police work and fit most degree plans. Our courses are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended; credit reaches the Merit Board via a college transcript, once a college posts it. UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited.
TESU, UoPeople and Newlane are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit; ask the college in writing which courses it will post, and ask an ISP recruiter in writing whether the credit meets the education rule.
After the education check
Meeting the education rule is only the first gate. Applicants complete the Physical Fitness Inventory Test and, on the same day, an online Recruitment Examination; a score of 70 or higher places you in the eligibility pool. Then come documents, a background investigation, an oral interview, medical and psychological screening, and the 30-week Illinois State Police Academy. Leave time for a college to post your credit before the class deadline.
Questions people ask
How many college credits do you need to join the Illinois State Police?
An associate degree or 60 college credit hours with a C average or better from an accredited institution. The Merit Board may waive the education rule for qualifying military veterans and active officers with three or more years of service.
Can I apply at 20?
Yes, if you have an associate degree or at least 60 college credit hours. Otherwise the minimum age for Illinois State Police cadets is 21. Check the current class page for any changes.
Does Chicago require 60 college hours?
We could not confirm the current Chicago Police rule at an official source, so we do not state one. Read the city's current posting and ask its recruiting office in writing about education and waivers.
Do online courses count toward the 60 hours?
Hours count when they appear on an accredited institution's transcript. Our courses are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended and count only once a college posts them. Ask a recruiter and the college in writing first.
Who can get the education requirement waived?
The Merit Board lists qualifying military veterans and active law enforcement officers with three or more years of service. Ask a recruiter in writing whether your service qualifies and what proof is needed.
What happens after I meet the education rule?
You apply, take the PFIT and the online Recruitment Examination on the same day, then go through documents, background, interview and screening. Successful candidates attend the 30-week Academy. Leave time for each stage, because a missed deadline can mean waiting for a later cadet class.
Read next
- How many college credits do you need to be a police officer in Illinois?The college credits to be a police officer in Illinois depend on the agency. The Illinois State Police asks for an associate degree or 60 college...
- Which online credits can end up on an accredited college transcriptOnline credits on an accredited college transcript are what Illinois police hiring checks. The State Police asks for 60 college credit hours from an...
- Criminology, psychology, sociology: the three courses officers ask about mostCriminology, psychology and sociology courses for police applicants cover why crime happens, how people behave under stress and how communities work....
The same topic in nearby states
Ready when you have it in writing
Criminology, psychology, sociology and writing are on PRO. Ask the college and a recruiter in writing first.
Sources
- Illinois State Police Merit Board: Cadet applicant process (illinoistrooper.com, linked from isp.illinois.gov) (official)Education / Experience: Associate Degree or 60 college credit hours with a C average or better from an accredited institution; may be waived for qualifying military veterans or active law enforcement officers with three or more years of service. Age: 21, or 20 with an Associate Degree or at least 60 college credit hours. US citizen, no felony conviction, valid driver's license, accept assignment anywhere in Illinois. Process: application, PFIT and same-day online Recruitment Examination (70 or higher enters the eligibility pool), documents, background, interview, screening, 30-week Academy. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- Sophia Learning: Plans and pricingPrice for Sophia Learning monthly plan, checked on 15 Nov 2026.
- StraighterLine: PricingPrice for StraighterLine membership, checked on 15 Nov 2026.