BGSU and Ohio State Highway Patrol announce new agreement to expand educational and career opportunities for troopers

COLUMBUS, OH - As part of a new agreement, Bowling Green State University (BGSU) and the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP) are collaborating to offer qualifying troopers and cadets a streamlined pathway to earning a college degree to advance their careers and meet a growing need statewide for law enforcement professionals with advanced educational credentials.

"This new partnership between the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Bowling Green State University is not only an investment in troopers' professional growth but also an investment in the safety of communities across the state," said Governor Mike DeWine. "Public safety depends on the ability to recruit and retain qualified, professional officers, and by providing better access to affordable higher education, officers will be able to use what they learn to protect the citizens of this state."

Through the agreement signed on July 7, troopers and cadets starting this fall can receive up to 33 BGSU credits for successful completion of formal training through the Ohio State Highway Patrol Training Academy or the Peace Officer Basic Training Academy, which can be applied to an online associate or bachelor's degree program in criminal justice at the University.

"This partnership is exactly what government, higher education and public service should look like when we work together toward a common goal," said State Rep. Haraz N. Ghanbari, who spearheaded the initiative. "By recognizing the rigorous training and real-world experience earned by graduates of the Ohio State Highway Patrol's academies, we are creating a practical pathway for these dedicated public servants to continue their education, earn a college degree and advance their careers. I am proud to have brought the Ohio State Highway Patrol and Bowling Green State University together to make this partnership a reality. It strengthens our workforce, supports the men and women who serve our communities and demonstrates how Ohio's public institutions can work together to remove barriers and expand opportunity."

The agreement with BGSU is the first-of-its-kind with the OSHP and aims to expand access to educational opportunities in law enforcement, reduce time to degree attainment for troopers and support workforce development in the state.

"As a public university for the public good, Bowling Green State University is so pleased to enter this agreement with the Ohio State Highway Patrol, expanding pathways to a Bowling Green degree for our state's troopers and cadets as they look to grow in their careers and service to Ohio," BGSU President Rodney K. Rogers said. "Bowling Green is home to one of the top-ranked criminal justice programs in the nation, as well as leading, innovative partnerships with state agencies including the Ohio Attorney General's Office and the Ohio Bureau of Criminal Investigation. This partnership with the Ohio State Highway Patrol expands this work and leverages our state's robust educational ecosystem to directly benefit Ohioans. We are grateful for Gov. DeWine, as well as our state's many elected representatives, including and especially Rep. Ghanbari, for their support of this initiative."

"Law enforcement continues to evolve, and education plays an important role in preparing our personnel for the challenges ahead," said Colonel Charles A. Jones, Patrol superintendent. "By combining the Patrol's training with the academic excellence of Bowling Green State University, we are developing leaders who will continue serving Ohio with professionalism."

Upon admission to BGSU, qualifying cadets and troopers can first pursue the fully online Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice program through BGSU Firelands, the University's regional campus in Huron, Ohio, and then transition into the online Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice program through the Bowling Green campus. Both online programs are eligible for OSHP tuition reimbursement.

In the associate degree program offered through Firelands Online, students gain an essential understanding of government, legal systems and people to be successful in administering and enforcing laws through coursework taught by expert faculty who are respected both academically and in industry.

After completing qualifying OSHP training, troopers or cadets who enroll in the online associate program can earn their degree by taking as few as nine classes while also positioning themselves for transition to the bachelor's program.

"At BGSU Firelands, we are committed to providing accessible education that empowers students to excel in their lives and careers," BGSU Firelands Dean Allia Carter said. "Through this partnership, troopers will gain a greater understanding of the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in the ever-evolving law enforcement profession through a streamlined, yet robust, online program that will prepare them for career success and progression."

Recognized among the best in Ohio, the University's bachelor's program in criminal justice offered through BGSU Online provides students with a flexible education taught by the same world-class faculty that instruct in-person classes on the Bowling Green campus. Through relevant coursework, students learn how to identify and propose solutions to problems, critically evaluate crime policies and practices and communicate effectively.

Troopers or cadets who enroll in the online bachelor's program can earn their BGSU degree in as few as 12 months of full-time study, which can be completed anytime, anywhere while still working. The program's internship requirements can also be completed through the OSHP as an employer.

Designed as a pathway completion program, the BGSU online bachelor's degree program in criminal justice may also directly admit troopers and cadets with prior technical training and credentials related to criminal justice, social services or military service.

As part of the nationally recognized student success model at BGSU, both programs are designed around Quality Matters standards to provide online learners with comprehensive services and resources to promote academic success.

BGSU is the only university in Ohio honored by the non-profit organization for the exceptional support it provides learners across all of its online programs.

For more information and to apply, visit BGSU.edu/OSHP.