The Atlanta Police Department and Columbia Southern University recently partnered to create a scholarship opportunity for employees of the agency.

The first recipient of the award is Courtney Murphy of Stone Mountain, GA, who has had a lifelong desire to protect.

“As the oldest child and grandchild, it was instilled in me since birth to protect my family, other people. I became an officer to make a difference in my community,” said Murphy.

Murphy, who has been with the department for eight years, plans to use the scholarship to pursue a master’s degree in criminal justice administration.

She added that achieving this scholarship will allow her to focus on successfully obtaining her master’s degree and applying what she’s learned in order to make a greater impact within the Atlanta Police Department.

“My master's degree will not only increase my knowledge, it will put me in a better position to pursue leadership opportunities within the department. My goal is to become a leader while helping to create more leaders,” Murphy said.

The Atlanta Police Department scholarship will cover up to 60 hours and be applied directly to the recipient’s tuition for up to three years or until the completion of the selected degree program, whichever comes first.

About Columbia Southern University:

In 2018, Columbia Southern University celebrated its 25th anniversary. As a pioneer in online education, CSU was established in 1993 to provide an alternative to the traditional university experience. CSU offers online associate, bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees in fields such as business administration, criminal justice, fire administration and occupational safety and health. Visit ColumbiaSouthern.edu or call (877) 347-6050 to learn more.