Youth Police Academy Experience

High school seniors who are interested in public service, law enforcement, and criminology-related careers are invited to join the Kent State University Youth Police Academy Experience to test out a career in law enforcement by joining an interactive, experiential program. Participants will visit campus once a week for four weeks to connect with campus and community experts to explore degree and career pathways. 

Students will engage in hands-on training, such as 

• Intoxicated Driver Detection and Prevention
• Crime Scene Investigations
• Traffic Stops and utilization of radar & lidar
• Race Relations and Policing

Students who complete the Experience will receive a certificate of completion and a $1,000 Police Academy scholarship to attend Kent State University at Trumbull. 

With a 95% job placement rate and $55,000 average starting salary, law enforcement is an in-demand field. Graduates of the certificate program can use those hours to accelerate the completion of an associate or bachelor’s degree program to advance career readiness further.  

The four-week program begins Tuesday, Feb. 27, and runs 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. every Tuesday. The final session on March.19 includes an extra hour to celebrate the students with lunch and a scholarship ceremony. 

School Counselors 

• Email policeacademy@kent.edu for more information and to register your students!
• Offering 25 spots for each program until full
• This program is free!
• Transportation will need to be provided by the schools.

Explore your options: 

• Basic Ohio Peace Officer Training Academy
• Associate of Applied Science in Criminology and Justice Studies
• Bachelor of Arts Degree in Criminology and Justice Studies
• Apply for Admission
• Schedule an informational meeting today! 

Kent State Police Academy

Kent State’s Police Academy is located in the Trumbull Campus and is designated by the Ohio Peace Officer Training Commission and the Ohio Attorney General's Office as a STAR Academy Training Cen providing high-quality training. STAR training centers are a special distinction reserved for excellence in state law enforcement programs.