NASHVILLE (AP) - The Tennessee Highway Patrol is accepting applications for the 2015 Citizens' Trooper Academy in March.

The academy consists of about 30 hours of training. It's designed to develop a better understanding of the Tennessee Highway Patrol, as well as its parent agency, the Department of Safety and Homeland Security.

Topics covered include investigations, special operations, homeland security and many other areas of the patrol.

Participants must be at least 21 years old, available to attend weekly three-hour sessions with no more than one absence and have no criminal history.

The Nashville session is scheduled to begin March 10, and the Knoxville class will start March 12. Both sessions will run from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. local time weekly. To apply, visit: www.tn.gov/safety.