A new degree for first responders

Oakton Community College and Northern Illinois University will be offering a new bachelor's degree program for first responders.

Eligible Northeastern Illinois Public Safety Training Academy (NIPSTA) members can get tuition waivers for the bachelor of science in applied management/public safety degree. Many municipalities require that police officers and firefighters have a bachelor's degree to qualify for hiring or promotion.

Officials will reveal details about the new degree program at 11 a.m. today at NIPSTA, 2300 Patriot Blvd., Glenview.