Your goal is to help people. This two-year degree is a great start for your career path.
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28
Recent Graduates
There are 28 recent graduates of this Madison College program.
$50k
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $50,256.
95%
Student Satisfaction
95% of our recent graduates report they are satisfied with their Madison College education.

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Criminal Justice Studies
Program Number: 105045
Your Degree:
Associate Degree
Area of Study:
Law, Protective and Human Services
Delivery Method:
100% In Person
Some Online/Some In Person
Estimated Time to Complete:
60 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
financial aid icon Financial Aid Available
transfer icon Program Transfers
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What You'll Pay
Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Estimated Program Cost

$10,106.90

Financial Aid

Applying for financial aid and scholarships help you pay for your education.
  • Program Overview

    Prepare for a career in law enforcement, probation and parole, corrections, warden and juvenile justice-related careers.

    The Criminal Justice associate degree program includes courses that:

    • Explore current topics like human trafficking, mass, spree and serial killers, and contemporary controversies around the administration of the death penalty.
    • Examine the evolution of forensic science and community policing
    • Study juvenile delinquency and juvenile justice.
    • Explain the legal foundation of interviewing and interrogation.

    Positions in the Criminal Justice fields often require a background investigation, psychological testing and drug testing. An applicant for employment as a law enforcement officer or to enter the Law Enforcement Academy must possess either a two-year associate degree from a Wisconsin technical college or its accredited equivalent from another state or a minimum of 60 fully accredited college-level credits.

    Program Details

    Students in the Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Program can attend full- or part-time.

    Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement classes are offered at the Madison College Truax campus, Protective Services Building.

    Careers in Criminal Justice

    Associate degree graduates are ready for a range of professional positions in the field of law enforcement including:

    • Law Enforcement Officers in city, county, state and federal law enforcement departments
    • Private Security Officers
    • Investigators
    • Correctional Officers
    • Juvenile Detention Workers

    With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:

    • Detectives
    • Sergeants
    • Lieutenants
    • Captains
    • Chiefs
    • Probation and Parole Officers

    Criminal Justice Jobs

    Meet the Faculty
    Criminal Justice Program at Madison College
    iframe added here via JS.

    Watch the video to meet the faculty of the Madison College criminal justice program.

  • Curriculum and Experience

    Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2024-2025 academic year. To learn more about Madison College, visit us.

    Current and newly admitted program students, go directly to your Degree Progress Report to view:

    • Progress toward your specific requirements
    • Alternative (in lieu of) courses to meet specific requirements

    If you have questions after reviewing your degree progress report (advisement report), please see Advising Services.

    First Semester
    10-504-900
    3 credits
    10-801-195
    3 credits
    10-804-134
    3 credits
    10-809-199
    3 credits
    Second Semester
    10-504-902
    3 credits
    10-504-914
    3 credits
    10-801-196
    3 credits
    10-809-197
    3 credits
    Third Semester
    10-504-906
    3 credits
    10-504-909
    3 credits
    10-504-911
    3 credits
    Elective
    3 credits
    Fourth Semester
    10-504-912
    3 credits
    10-504-143
    3 credits
    10-504-910
    3 credits
    10-504-917
    3 credits
    10-504-905
    3 credits
    Recommended Electives
    Electives must be 10- or 20- level courses. It is recommended to complete this in third semester.
    10-504-180
    3 credits
    20-809-295
    3 credits
    20-809-210
    3 credits
    20-807-266
    2 credits
    20-807-269
    1 credit
  • Admission

    To Apply

    Earning a degree is a great way to advance your career development opportunities, so apply today!

    International students who wish to apply for, maintain, or transfer their F-1 student visa status to Madison College are required to complete the International Admission Process.

    Note: It is recommended to only apply for a semester that has already started if you are currently enrolled in classes or you have verified that classes are still available for that semester.

    Application Dates

    Fall 2024

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is November 15, 2024

    Spring 2025

    • Application open
    • Application completion deadline is April 15, 2025

    Admission Requirements

    All materials must be submitted by the application deadline.

    1. Admission Application

    The online application allows you to save your work as you complete it and ensures fast, secure delivery to our office.

    2. Education Completion

    Official transcripts must be sent from the institutions you attended and indicate one of the following:

    • High school (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
    • GED/HSED transcript
    • College transcript(s) showing:
      • Completion of an associate degree or higher, or
      • At least 30 credits completed with a minimum GPA of 2.0 on a 4-point scale
        • The credits must be completed at a single college and cannot be combined with other transcripts
        • Any transfer credit listed on a transcript does not count toward the 30-credit minimum

    All high school and/or college transcripts are recommended to be submitted for Credit for Prior Learning evaluation.


    Additional Notes

    • Class capacity is limited and is available on a first come, first served basis.
    • Course prerequisites differ from admission requirements; admission into a program does not guarantee eligibility to enroll in courses or success in the program. Refer to program curriculum for details.

    After Acceptance

    Once you are admitted into your program, review the Start of Semester Checklist to prepare for your first day of classes at Madison College.

    Questions?

    Contact the Enrollment Center at EnrollmentServices@madisoncollege.edu or 608.246.6210.

    apply for admission

    Get Started!

    Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Criminal Justice Studies career.

    It's Free to Apply

  • Transfer Opportunities

    UW System Schools

    Students who complete the A.A.S. degree are guaranteed admission to UW-Platteville to the B.A. or B.S. in Criminal Justice major given that all admission requirements are met (minimum 2.0 transfer GPA, in good standing at previous institution)

    Wisconsin Private Schools

    Students who receive an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice Studies from Madison College will be guaranteed admission to Edgewood College within 5 years of completing the AAS Degree. Students will major in Criminal Justice.
    Completion of an A.A.S. Degree at Madison College after 2015, and meeting admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a B.B.A degree in Technical Sales at MSOE.
  • Career Outcomes

    After completing the Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement program at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to demonstrate:

    Communication Skills
    Communicate clearly and effectively both verbally and through written documentation with clients, coworkers, other agencies and supervisors, by demonstrating listening skills, effective report writing, appropriate interview techniques, testifying in court and displaying sensitivity to diverse cultures and individuals.

    Community Skills
    Demonstrate community resource skills including, but not limited to, conflict resolution, media relations, media communications, safety instruction; and referrals to, assistance and/or collaboration with other public agencies.

    Interpersonal Skills
    Demonstrate desirable professional abilities including self-motivation, self-awareness, cooperative work and group facilitation skills.

    Analytical Skills
    Apply critical thinking skills for appropriate law enforcement decision-making.

    Legal Studies and Skills
    Use legal knowledge to enforce, interpret, and apply laws.

    Technical Skills
    Demonstrate appropriate technical skills in communication, observation, investigation, evaluation, and basic safety assistance in law enforcement situations.

    Tactical Skills
    Aware of appropriate procedures for crisis management and dispute resolution.

    Professional Standards
    Exhibit appropriate professional standards through the demonstration of personal ethics, leadership, stress management, professional growth through continuing education, and adherence to "chain of command."

    • Graduate Summary

      Graduate Report Summary Overview

      2023
      Number of Program Graduates28
      Number of Surveys Sent28
      Number of Surveys Returned21
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment17
      Percent Available for Employment81.0%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market19.0%
      Available for Employment

      2023
      Graduates Employed17
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.0%
      Employed in Related Occupation9
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation52.9%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation8
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation47.1%
      Employed - No Response0
      Percent Employed - No Response0.0%
      Seeking Employment0
      Percent Seeking Employment0.0%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      2023
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)3.7
      Number of Satisfaction Responses20
      Very Satisfied (4)14
      Percent Very Satisfied70.0%
      Satisfied (3)5
      Percent Satisfied25.0%
      Unsatisfied (2)1
      Percent Unsatisfied5.0%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)0
      Percent Very Unsatisfied0.0%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      2023
      Number of Primary Reason Responses21
      Preparation for Getting a Job
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job
      Career Change
      Percent Career Change
      Improvement of Existing Skills
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills
      Preparation for Further Education
      Percent Preparation for Further Education
      Personal Interest
      Percent Personal Interest
      Other
      Percent Other0.0%
      When Employment was Obtained

      2023
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses17
      Before Enrollment6
      Percent Before Enrollment35.3%
      While Attending the College2
      Percent While Attending the College11.8%
      After Training at the College9
      Percent After Training at the College52.9%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      2023
      Number of Employment Location Responses17
      In College District12
      Percent In College District70.6%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District2
      Percent of In Wisconsin11.8%
      Outside of Wisconsin1
      Percent Outside Wisconsin5.9%
      Employer Location Unknown2
      Percent Location Unknown11.8%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend2023
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count8
      Average Monthly Wage$4,188
      Average Hourly Wage$24.35
      Average Work Hours per Week50.2
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count
      Average Hourly Wage
      Average Work Hours per Week
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      City of Janesville Police DeptPolice OfficerJanesville
      City of Madison Police DeptPolice Officer
      Columbia County Sheriff's OfficeDeputy Medical ExaminerPortage
      Columbia County Sheriff's OfficeJailerPortage
      Madison Area Technical CollegePublic Safety Officer
      Marshall Fire DepartmentLieutenantMarshall
      Reedsburg Police DeptPatrol OfficerReedsburg
      Sauk CountyHuman ServicesBaraboo
      University Of Wisconsin Police DepartmentSecurity Officer

      * - Only cities outside of Madison will display.

      ** - Only states outside of Wisconsin will display.

      *** - If you have a position to post, please contact Career and Employment Services at jobpostings@madisoncollege.edu

Ready to get started?
Your first step is to apply to Madison College. It's easy and free to apply, so get started today!
Contact the School of Human and Protective Services

Madison Truax Campus
Protective Services Building, 100

1701 Pearson Street
Madison, Wisconsin 53704

hps@madisoncollege.edu
608.243.5400

Hours

  • Monday – Thursday 8 am - 5 pm
  • Friday: 8 am - 4:30 pm