Hear from City Colleges of Chicago Alumni in Law Enforcement

About this Program

student reading a book in the library

Pathway to Policing is a one-year, no-cost* program for students interested in becoming Chicago police officers. When you successfully complete the program and earn your associate degree in just 12 months, you will be prepared to enter the Chicago Police Academy.

Classes are offered in-person, online-only, and bilingual (Spanish/English).

You will:

• Go through this program with a cohort – one group that takes their classes together

• Receive a City Colleges laptop to borrow while you complete your associate degree

• Have full access to Olive-Harvey’s fitness facility, as well as all our student resources and support services

• Prepare specifically for police exams, including the physical exam and power test

Upon completing the program through Olive-Harvey College, the written exam for entrance into the Chicago Police Academy will be waived. So don’t wait – click here to apply now!

Interested in learning more about the program? Attend an upcoming information session.

Attend an Information Session

Requirements

  • Must be at least 20 years old to begin this program at Olive-Harvey College, because the Chicago Police Department requires candidates entering the police academy to be 21 years old
  • Must submit transcripts from all previous colleges attended; 2.0 GPA required
  • Must apply for federal financial aid (FAFSA)
  • If you have not taken and passed a college-level English course (i.e. English 101), you must take the English placement test and test into college-level English
  • Must attend a program orientation

* Eligible students can complete this program through Future Ready at no cost by meeting certain requirements:

  • Must be/remain a Chicago resident
  • Must be new to City Colleges, including:
    • Students who have only taken Adult Education courses.
    • Students who have only taken Continuing Education courses.
    • Or must be returning to City Colleges after two Spring/Fall semesters away, must have left City Colleges in good standing, and must complete a new City Colleges application.
  • Complete a FAFSA or certificate of Ineligibility to Complete the FAFSA form each award year while in the program.
  • Complete the program within the approved 150% timeframe. For example, for a three-semester program, you must complete the program within five semesters.
  • Remain declared in the AAS-Criminal Justice – Pathway to Policing (One Year and Out) cohort program. If you are no longer a part of the cohort, you will be ineligible for Future Ready funding.
  • Enroll in classes required for the program (view the full program list here). If you enroll in any other classes, they may count towards your degree requirements, however, you will be responsible for paying for those classes.
  • Remain declared as an Olive-Harvey College student.

Please note that enrollment and completion of this program does not guarantee acceptance into the Chicago Police Academy.

students working in a computer lab

Ready to get started? Apply today.

Follow these steps to apply to City Colleges of Chicago.

icon-arrow 1. Fill out the Interest Form below
icon-arrow 2. Click here to fill out a City Colleges application.
icon-arrow 3. Check your email for your for your City Colleges acceptance, along with your username and password.
icon-arrow 4. Take a look at the admissions guide to learn more about what you will need to start your City Colleges journey.

Interested? Fill out the form to learn more

Olive-Harvey is accepting applications for the 2024 program, and we are now offering online-only, in-person, and bilingual cohorts.

Criminal Justice Interest Form

Potential Careers

In addition to setting students up for success with the Chicago Police Department, this degree can also prepare you for these other careers:

airplane

Air Marshal

icon-4

Counter-Terrorism Analyst

checkmark

Customs Officer

paper

Forensic Psychologist

magnifying-glass

Fraud Investigator

tree

Park Ranger Surveillance Officer

Time Commitment

If students follow the sample curriculum below, they will be able to successfully complete the program in 12 months - that’s half the time it usually takes.


Pathway to Policing - Sample curriculum

For more information about Pathway to Policing, email ohc-crimjustice@ccc.edu.