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If you’d like to learn more about the Criminal Justice Studies program, we’d love to talk with you.
We’re here to answer any questions and guide you through our application process step-by-step.
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Financial Aid Available
Program Transfers
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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
- Wisconsin Law Enforcement Network
- International Association of Chiefs of Police
- Law Enforcement Recruiting Directory
- Public Safety Jobs
- 911 Hot Jobs
- UW-Platteville Criminal Justice Job Vacancies
- Security Jobs Network
- Jobs 4 Police
- The Blue Line: Police Opportunity Monitor
- Corrections.com
- USA Cops: The Nation’s Law Enforcement Site
Watch the video to meet the faculty of the Madison College criminal justice program.
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2025-2026 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 SemesterSecond SemesterThird SemesterElective3 creditsFourth SemesterRecommended ElectivesElectives must be 10- or 20- level courses. It is recommended to complete this in third semester. -
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
Spring 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2025
Fall 2025
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025
Spring 2026
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2026
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
Submit official transcripts from the institutions you attended that indicate one of the following:
- High school completion (current high school seniors may submit an in-progress transcript)
- GED/HSED completion
- College transcript or Madison College experience 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
- Credits completed at Madison College are evaluated and do not require a transcript
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.
Get Started!
Apply to Madison College and take the first step towards your Criminal Justice Studies career.
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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)This program-to-program articulation agreement between UW-Stout and Madison College allows the opportunity for Madison College students who have earned the Associate Degree in Criminal Justice Studies, to be awarded 60 credits upon entry to University of Wisconsin-Stout and the Criminal Justice and Rehabilitation program at a junior level standing. Some special consideration include: • Students must complete the entire sending program and meet the receiving institution’s admission requirements for the agreement to apply. • Students completing this agreement are guaranteed admission to the University of Wisconsin-Stout and the Criminal Justice and Rehabilitation program at a junior level standing. • The receiving institution will apply 60 of the 60 credits from the sending program. A total of 60 credits remain to complete the receiving program.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
2021 2022 2023 Number of Program Graduates 35 44 28 Number of Surveys Sent 35 44 28 Number of Surveys Returned 21 31 21 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 19 25 17 Percent Available for Employment 90.5% 80.6% 81.0% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 9.5% 19.4% 19.0% Available for Employment
2021 2022 2023 Graduates Employed 17 25 17 Percent of Graduates Employed 89.5% 100.0% 100.0% Employed in Related Occupation 11 14 9 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 64.7% 56.0% 52.9% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 6 11 8 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 35.3% 44.0% 47.1% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Seeking Employment 2 0 0 Percent Seeking Employment 10.5% 0.0% 0.0% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2021 2022 2023 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 3.4 3.4 3.7 Number of Satisfaction Responses 21 31 20 Very Satisfied (4) 8 12 14 Percent Very Satisfied 38.1% 38.7% 70.0% Satisfied (3) 13 18 5 Percent Satisfied 61.9% 58.1% 25.0% Unsatisfied (2) 0 1 1 Percent Unsatisfied 0.0% 3.2% 5.0% Very Unsatisfied (1) Percent Very Unsatisfied 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2021 2022 2023 Number of Primary Reason Responses 21 31 21 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 Other 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% When Employment was Obtained
2021 2022 2023 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 17 25 17 Before Enrollment 3 8 6 Percent Before Enrollment 17.6% 32.0% 35.3% While Attending the College 4 6 2 Percent While Attending the College 23.5% 24.0% 11.8% After Training at the College 10 11 9 Percent After Training at the College 58.8% 44.0% 52.9% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2021 2022 2023 Number of Employment Location Responses 17 25 17 In College District 13 19 12 Percent In College District 76.5% 76.0% 70.6% In Wisconsin, Not in District 4 5 2 Percent of In Wisconsin 23.5% 20.0% 11.8% Outside of Wisconsin 0 1 1 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.0% 4.0% 5.9% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 2 Percent Location Unknown 0.0% 0.0% 11.8% Salary Trend 2021 2022 2023 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 7 14 8 Average Monthly Wage $4,199 $3,817 $4,188 Average Hourly Wage $24.41 $22.19 $24.35 Average Work Hours per Week 41.8 39.6 50.2 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 1 Average Hourly Wage $15.00 Average Work Hours per Week 16.0 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2023 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions City of Janesville Police Dept Police Officer Janesville City of Madison Police Dept Police Officer Columbia County Sheriff's Office Deputy Medical Examiner Portage Columbia County Sheriff's Office Jailer Portage Madison Area Technical College Public Safety Officer Marshall Fire Department Lieutenant Marshall Reedsburg Police Dept Patrol Officer Reedsburg Sauk County Human Services Baraboo University Of Wisconsin Police Department Security 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
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