Delaware County Community College and Neumann University have signed an agreement that will enable Neumann students to earn a criminal justice degree faster and at less cost by attending the College’s Municipal Police Academy while still being enrolled at Neumann University.

The agreement is the first the College’s 40-year-old Municipal Police Academy has entered into with a four-year university or college. Through the agreement, qualified Neumann students, who graduate from the Police Academy, can transfer up to 30 credits toward Neumann’s 122-credit criminal justice degree.

Neumann criminal justice majors save money because they pay at Delaware County Community College’s lower tuition rate while in the Police Academy. In addition, rather than wait until they graduate from Neumann University before attending the Police Academy, students can combine the education and training they receive at both higher education institutions, reducing the time it takes to earn a criminal justice degree and the state municipal police officer certification.

“This is a great opportunity for criminal justice majors at Neumann University to gain hands-on training at Delaware County Community College’s Municipal Police Academy, while completing the academic credential at Neumann University,” said Dr. L. Joy Gates Black, president of Delaware County Community College.

“Neumann University is very excited about this new partnership,” added Dr. Chris Domes, president of Neumann University, “as it helps our students who are interested in a career in law enforcement complete both the Municipal Police Academy and their undergraduate degree in four years. We cannot think of a better partner in this endeavor than Delaware County Community College.”

Neumann Criminal Justice majors must meet a variety of requirements to be eligible for this “Municipal Police Academy Option in Criminal Justice,” including passing a psychological evaluation; completing the Municipal Police Academy’s placement test; passing a health examination and a physical fitness test; passing a criminal background check; possession of a high school diploma, or general equivalency diploma; possession of a valid driver’s license; and proof of U.S. citizenship.

Established in 1977, the College’s Municipal Police Academy trains 95 percent of the police officers in Delaware County and 75 percent of the police officers in Chester County.