At A Glance
Classes begin October 2024 and January 2025.
Full time classes are available in Scranton and Hazleton.
Police training is all done through classroom and hands-on education, and the program length is six and a half months.
For more information, please request our admissions checklist or schedule a visit.
Welcome to Police Academy-Act 120-Certificate Program
For over 45 years, the Lackawanna College Police Academy has trained thousands of police officers in Northeastern Pennsylvania. The need for certified police officers is at unprecedented levels; if you are looking for a rewarding career and have a strong desire to serve your community, there is no better time than now to join our Academy.
Our Cadet classes are heavily recruited during their training periods, and every graduate from our most recent class who applied for a position in law enforcement was either hired or offered employment.
Your Career Starts Here
With the law enforcement field expected to grow by 7% over the next 10 years, police officers are needed. Graduates of Lackawanna’s Police Academy-Act 120 certificate program learn from a variety of law enforcement officials from municipal, state and federal agencies and can earn between $40,420 and $105,540, depending on experience, industry and specialization.
More About the Program
Lackawanna College’s Police Academy professional certification program trains cadets to enter law enforcement while teaching them values that reflect the college’s approach to education. Cadets who enroll in our Police Academy will participate in local and national events to honor our fallen officers. Lackawanna trainees have marched in the National Police Memorial Parade in Washington, D.C., and attended local police memorial events. Each class dedicates their training and graduation to a fallen officer of their choosing to signify the commitment they are making to their profession.
Community service is vital component of the cadet experience. Cadets are taught that the most important aspect of policing is to protect and serve others. The cadets at both the Scranton campus and Hazleton Center contribute community service hours each year to various charitable organizations. They have raised thousands of dollars for local charities benefiting children and fellow and fallen officers.
Finally, Lackawanna College offers a unique opportunity to obtain certification from its Police Academy along with an associate degree in Criminal Justice in two years. Graduates of the Pennsylvania Municipal Police Basic Training Program, commonly referred to in-state as the ACT 120 program, use their training modules as course equivalencies for a number of degree requirements. Lackawanna College is the only private college in northeastern Pennsylvania that provides this combined education.
Upcoming Classes
- Class 263 Hazleton Campus: October 2, 2024 (Application Period Opens April 2024)
- Class 264 Scranton Campus: January 8, 2025 (Application Period Opens July 2024)
Academy Schedule
The Act 120 program consists of 946 hours of MPOETC mandated training and testing. Full-time classes last approximately six and a half months and are primarily Monday through Friday, with occasional evening and weekend sessions. Total program length may be impacted by College and Federal holidays.
Academy graduates earn up to 21 Lackawanna College credits towards a Criminal Justice Degree!
The Course Work
In addition to the strict adherence to standardized basic police training curriculum, the Academy provides supplemental training in an active learning environment. This is all provided by a talented and diverse cadre of instructors who include active chiefs, ranking officers and patrol officers. These individuals come from municipal, state and federal law enforcement agencies. Some of them are retired state and federal officers and practicing attorneys.
Cadets also participate in simulated weapons training, mental health first aid, child abuse and domestic violence protocol training, and a variety of other hands-on training types. This is in addition to the curriculum provided by the Municipal Police Officers Training.
ACT 180/In-Service Training
All officers will be required to complete 12 hours of in-service training to maintain their ACT 120 certification. In-service training is offered at the Academy’s Scranton and Hazleton campuses as well as various locations through the commonwealth.
Departments who are not maintained in TACS, but who are permitted to take the MPOETC courses will have to pay $25.00 per officer for each of the four (4) courses for 2024.
REGISTRATIONS MUST BE MADE BY EMAIL:
Registrations are to be emailed to: mistregistration@lackawanna.edu.
The following information MUST be included for registration: department name, name of officer, MPOETC#, officer’s email address.
Any questions are also to be directed to the above email. Phone inquiries will not be entertained as they interrupt the efficiency of the office environment. Thank you.
Additional Information
The cost of tuition is $8500.00 and the student can apply for financial aide
Additional out of pocket fees include but not limited to (approximately $1000.00):
- Application Fee
- Fitness Test
- Reading Test
- Psychological Evaluation
- Driver background record check
- Criminal Background check
- Child Abuse Background check
- Federal Background check
- Uniforms and Equipment
Candidates interested in enrolling in Lackawanna’s Police Academy certification program, or the Academy-Criminal Justice associate degree program, can complete an intake form now to apply.
Once your application to the College is complete, you will have to submit your Police Academy Application via email to thompsonj@lackawanna.edu.
Applicant Eligibility Requirements
- 18 years of age at the time of application
- High School graduate or GED equivalent
- Valid Driver’s License
- United States Citizen
For more information on the admissions process for the ACT 120 program
Please contact our Admissions Advisor Beth Thompson at thompsonj@lackawanna.edu.
For all academy inquiries, please call 570-961-7874.
Transfer for Out of State Law Enforcement Officers
The Lackawanna College Police Academy offers partial waiver training for out-of-state officers who fail to achieve a passing grade on any section of the MPOTEC waiver assessment test. Please contact us at AcademyOperations@lackawanna.edu.
Training and Testing
Applicants may submit payment for ACT 120 training and testing including required reading and physical fitness tests below.