Introduction to Sociology
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 →IllinoisPublic safety
Which online credits can end up on an accredited college transcript
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
Online credits on an accredited college transcript are what Illinois police hiring checks. The State Police asks for 60 college credit hours from an accredited institution with a C average. Courses that are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended can end up on such a transcript when a college posts them. Ask the college and a recruiter in writing before you enrol.
Why the transcript matters
Recruiters and the Merit Board do not read course certificates; they read college transcripts. The State Police rule is an associate degree or 60 college credit hours with a C average or better from an accredited institution. Whatever route you take, the hours must sit on an accredited college's transcript.
That is why the order of steps matters. Choose the college first, confirm which courses it will post, and only then enrol in courses. Applicants who take courses first and look for a college afterwards sometimes find that a course does not fit the college's policy, and then have to repeat the work under time pressure before a class deadline.
How outside credit reaches a transcript
ACE and NCCRS review courses offered outside colleges and publish credit recommendations. A college can then post those courses as transfer credit on its transcript, under its own policy. Our courses are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended. UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited, so the credit counts only once a college posts it.
| Step | Who does it |
|---|---|
| Course reviewed and credit recommended | ACE or NCCRS |
| Course completed | You |
| Credit posted to a transcript | An accredited college, under its policy |
| Transcript checked for hiring | The Merit Board or department |
Choosing a college to post the credit
TESU, UoPeople and Newlane are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit. Many Illinois community colleges also review outside credit. Ask the college in writing which courses it will post, how many credits each will show, whether a grade will appear, and how long posting takes.
Also check that the college is an accredited institution in the sense the Merit Board uses, since the rule names an accredited institution. A recruiter can tell you whether a particular college's transcript will be read as meeting that wording. If you already have credit at one college, it is often simplest to ask that college first, because adding hours to an existing transcript keeps your record in one place.
Grades and the C average
The State Police asks for a C average or better. Some colleges post transfer credit without a grade, which can affect how an average is worked out. Ask both the college and an ISP recruiter in writing how grades on transferred courses will be read before you count on them.
Courses that suit police applicants
Introduction to Criminology, Introduction to Psychology, Introduction to Sociology, English Composition 1 and Ethics in the Social Sciences cover crime, behaviour, communities, report writing and ethical judgement. Psychology and sociology are ACE-recommended and NCCRS-recommended; criminology, composition and ethics are NCCRS-recommended.
Questions to put in writing
Send short emails and keep the replies.
Keep every reply in one folder with your transcripts, your driver's license and the documents the Merit Board asks for, so the application stage goes smoothly.
- To the college: will you post these courses, with how many credits and grades?
- To the college: how long until the credit shows on an official transcript?
- To the recruiter: will this transcript meet the 60-hour rule?
- To a local department: what education rule applies to your posting?
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
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.
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.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Questions people ask
Do ACE or NCCRS courses count directly for police hiring?
Not directly. They count once an accredited college posts them on its transcript. Ask the college which courses it will post and ask a recruiter in writing whether the transcript meets the rule.
Is a partner college the only option?
No. Many colleges, including some Illinois community colleges, review outside credit under their own policies. Ask any college in writing which courses it will post and how they will show on the transcript.
How long does posting take?
It varies by college, from days to several weeks, plus time for an official transcript. Ask the college for its timeline and plan around the cadet class application deadline. Build in a margin of a few weeks.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
Ethics in the Social Sciences
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 →
English Composition 1
Self-paced online English Composition 1 course (ENG 101). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start 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.