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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.
Send us your contact information, and we’ll help you get started right away!
Financial Aid Available
Program Transfers
Estimated Program Cost
Financial Aid
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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 2023-2024 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
Fall 2023
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is November 15, 2023
Spring 2024
- Application open
- Application completion deadline is April 15, 2024
Fall 2024
- Application available on September 15, 2023
- Application completion deadline is November 15, 2024
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.
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
Madison College students who complete the Associate of Applied Science degree are guaranteed admission to UW-Platteville to the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice major within the Department of Criminal Justice and Social Sciences given that all admission requirements are met (minimum 2.0 transfer GPA, in good standing at previous institution). Refer to the Appendix A - Transfer Equivalency Guide Criminal Justice to see courses that transfer from the Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice Studies degree; a maximum of 72 credits can be transferred to UW-Platteville from 2-year institutions. Students will then complete the baccalaureate degree requirements at UW-Platteville including all remaining general education requirements and major requirements.Wisconsin Private Schools
Students who receive an Associate Degree in Criminal Justice Studies from Madison College will be guaranteed admission to Edgewood College (when students transfer directly from Madison College to Edgewood College within 5 years of completing the Associate Degree). Students would have the option of taking the Criminal Justice major or the Criminal Justice major with a Human Services Concentration at Edgewood College in the Social Science Department. A maximum of 72 credits may be transferred to Edgewood College from all combined coursework earned at two-year institutions, including Madison College. Only courses passed with a grade of “C-,” “CD,” or better will be accepted for transfer credit.Any Madison College student who has successfully completed an associate degree in applied science after 2015, and meets admission requirements for the Rader School of Business (RSOB) at the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) can earn a Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Technical Sales at MSOE by successfully completing the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Business Administration program. --- In particular, any Madison College student who successfully completes all technical courses and general education courses in their AAS program with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; successfully completes all other specified courses, as defined in this transfer agreement, with a grade of C or better (not C-) in each course; and meets the MSOE admission requirements for transfer students into the BBA Program at MSOE, minimum 2.75/4.0 cumulative GPA from the last regionally accredited school will be admitted into the AAS to BBA Technical Sales Transfer Track in the Bachelor of Business Administration program 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
2020 2021 2022 Number of Program Graduates 3 35 44 Number of Surveys Sent 2 35 44 Number of Surveys Returned 2 21 31 Percent of Surveys Returned Available for Employment 2 19 25 Percent Available for Employment 100.00% 90.50% 80.60% Not in Labor Market Percent Not in Labor Market 0.00% 9.50% 19.40% Available for Employment
2020 2021 2022 Graduates Employed 2 17 25 Percent of Graduates Employed 100.00% 89.50% 100.00% Employed in Related Occupation 2 11 14 Percent Employed in Related Occupation 100.00% 64.70% 56.00% Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0 6 11 Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation 0.00% 35.30% 44.00% Employed - No Response 0 0 0 Percent Employed - No Response 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Seeking Employment 0 2 0 Percent Seeking Employment 0.00% 10.50% 0.00% Reaction To Training at Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4) 2 3.4 3.4 Number of Satisfaction Responses 2 21 31 Very Satisfied (4) 0 8 12 Percent Very Satisfied 0.00% 38.10% 38.70% Satisfied (3) 1 13 18 Percent Satisfied 50.00% 61.90% 58.10% Unsatisfied (2) 0 0 1 Percent Unsatisfied 0.00% 0.00% 3.20% Very Unsatisfed (1) 1 0 0 Percent Very Unsatisfied 50.00% 0.00% 0.00% Primary Reason for Attending Madison College
2020 2021 2022 Number of Primary Reason Responses 2 21 31 Preparation for Getting a Job 2 14 15 Percent Preparation for Getting a Job 100.00% 66.70% 48.40% Career Change 0 2 3 Percent Career Change 0.00% 9.50% 9.70% Improvement of Existing Skills 0 1 2 Percent Improvement of Existing Skills 0.00% 4.80% 6.50% Preparation for Further Education 0 3 9 Percent Preparation for Further Education 0.00% 14.30% 29.00% Personal Interest 0 1 2 Percent Personal Interest 0.00% 4.80% 6.50% Other 0 0 0 Percent Other 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% When Employment was Obtained
2020 2021 2022 Number of When Employment Obtained Responses 2 17 25 Before Enrollment 0 3 8 Percent Before Enrollment 0.00% 17.60% 32.00% While Attending the College 0 4 6 Percent While Attending the College 0.00% 23.50% 24.00% After Training at the College 2 10 11 Percent After Training at the College 100.00% 58.80% 44.00% Location of Employment (related and unrelated)
2020 2021 2022 Number of Employment Location Responses 2 13 20 In College District 2 13 19 Percent In College District 100.00% 100.00% 95.00% In Wisconsin, Not in District 0 0 0 Percent of In Wisconsin 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Outside of Wisconsin 0 0 1 Percent Outside Wisconsin 0.00% 0.00% 5.00% Employer Location Unknown 0 0 0 Percent Location Unknown 0.00% 0.00% 0.00% Salary Trend 2020 2021 2022 Full Time Employment (Related Job) Full Time Salary Count 2 7 14 Average Monthly Wage $3,529 $4,199 $3,817 Average Hourly Wage $20.52 $24.41 $22.19 Average Work Hours per Week 44 41.8 39.6 Part Time Employment (Related Job) Part Time Salary Count 1 Average Hourly Wage $15.00 Average Work Hours per Week 16 -
Graduate Employers
Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022 Employer(s) Job Title City* State** Positions Afbendium Education Legal Assistant Fond Du Lac County Sheriff's Patrol Deputy Fond du Lac Madison Police Dept Police Officer Marathon County Sheriff's Office Communications Officers Wausau O'Brien and Associates Loss Prevention Monona Per Mar Security Services Security Officer Productive Living Systems Activity Aid Staff Whitewater RISE Law Center Legal Assistant Sauk County Courthouse Judicial Assistant Baraboo SSM Health Security Officer 2 Sun Prairie Police Department Police Officer Sun Prairie UW - Madison Police Dept Security Officer UW - Madison Police Dept Security Officer 2 * - 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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