University of Pennsylvania, Neubauer Family Foundation, and Philadelphia Police Department Partner to Support Police Leadership Education

PHILADELPHIA – May 21, 2025 – The University of Pennsylvania, the Philadelphia Police Department, and the Neubauer Family Foundation have announced a unique new partnership that will provide significant tuition support for Philadelphia commanding police officers to enroll in Penn’s new Master of Applied Criminology and Police Leadership (MCPL) program.

This first-of-its-kind collaboration, funded by the Neubauer Family Foundation, will cover tuition costs for senior Philadelphia Police Department (PPD) personnel to attain an Ivy League degree. The supported officers will have at least five years with the PPD and will receive their degree in under two years without interfering with full-time professional commitments. The initiative will help advance evidence-based, community-responsive leadership in law enforcement by expanding access to high-quality graduate education for those currently serving in senior-level roles.

“Penn’s trailblazing graduate program in applied criminology and police leadership propels innovative law enforcement locally and nationally,” said Penn President J. Larry Jameson. “The Neubauer Family Foundation’s support of this evidence-based approach will further strengthen relationships between law enforcement and communities in Philadelphia and other major cities. We are grateful for this generous gift to advance more inventive, modern law enforcement strategies.”   

Developed by the Department of Criminology and offered through the College of Liberal and Professional Studies in the School of Arts & Sciences, the MCPL program is the first professional master’s degree of its kind in the United States, created for police professionals across the country. The curriculum will focus on practical, real-world skills and knowledge to immediately enhance the policing profession with exposure to award-winning faculty and police leaders.

“We are grateful to the Neubauer Family Foundation for their generous support and proud to offer Philadelphia police leaders the opportunity to deepen their expertise through this rigorous, innovative program,” said Jeffrey Kallberg, interim dean of the School of Arts & Sciences and William R. Kenan, Jr. Professor of Music History. “This partnership creates an important bridge between our faculty’s research excellence and the real-world challenges of public safety leadership.”

The first MCPL cohort will enroll in Fall 2025. The program accommodates working professionals through a hybrid model of weekly online classes, periodic in-person instruction, and a capstone project designed to apply learning directly to challenges within participants’ own departments.

Professor of Criminology John MacDonald, who collaborated with police and government officials to design the program, said, “Our goal is to combine the use of science and management principles in the field of evidence-based policing to address challenges in recruitment, retention, public trust, and public safety. The program will position Penn as a leader in the training of police executives, enhancing its reputation as a hub for criminology and public policy.”

“This investment by the Neubauer Family Foundation marks a new chapter in our department’s history, solidifying our commitment to advanced education and innovation in community policing,” said Kevin J. Bethel, Philadelphia Police Commissioner. “By collaborating with an esteemed Ivy League university it underscores our steadfast belief that we are dedicated to being the finest police department in the nation.”

The Neubauer Family Foundation has committed $2.55 million to cover tuition for eligible commanding officers in the Philadelphia Police Department. The Foundation's commitment reflects its ongoing dedication to supporting impactful initiatives grounded in data and evidence. Founded in 1998, the Foundation has a strong history of strategic investments in Philadelphia’s education system, community safety, arts and culture, and institutions of higher learning.

“We are delighted to partner with the University of Pennsylvania and the Philadelphia Police Department on this important work,” said Joe Neubauer. “Recognizing the absence of a focused graduate education program for senior policing personnel in the United States, we believe this first-of-its-kind MCPL program will equip executives with the advanced tools needed to address critical challenges in public safety, recruitment, retention, and public trust. This initiative aligns perfectly with our commitment to Philadelphia and to fostering excellence in public service leadership.”

The MCPL program is open to police professionals nationwide. Information about enrollment or institutional partnerships is available at https://www.lps.upenn.edu/degree-programs/mcpl.