Your goal is to help people. This two-year degree is a great start for your career path.
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44
Recent Graduates
There are 44 recent graduates of this Madison College program.
$46k
Annual Salary
Our recent graduates of this program reported an average starting salary of $45,804.
96%
Student Satisfaction
96% 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

$9,724.50

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

    Spring 2024

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

    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

    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

      202020212022
      Number of Program Graduates33544
      Number of Surveys Sent23544
      Number of Surveys Returned22131
      Percent of Surveys Returned
      Available for Employment21925
      Percent Available for Employment100.00%90.50%80.60%
      Not in Labor Market
      Percent Not in Labor Market0.00%9.50%19.40%
      Available for Employment

      202020212022
      Graduates Employed21725
      Percent of Graduates Employed100.00%89.50%100.00%
      Employed in Related Occupation21114
      Percent Employed in Related Occupation100.00%64.70%56.00%
      Employed in Unrelated Occupation0611
      Percent Employed in Unrelated Occupation0.00%35.30%44.00%
      Employed - No Response000
      Percent Employed - No Response0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Seeking Employment020
      Percent Seeking Employment0.00%10.50%0.00%
      Reaction To Training at Madison College

      202020212022
      Student satisfaction Mean (Out of 4)23.43.4
      Number of Satisfaction Responses22131
      Very Satisfied (4)0812
      Percent Very Satisfied0.00%38.10%38.70%
      Satisfied (3)11318
      Percent Satisfied50.00%61.90%58.10%
      Unsatisfied (2)001
      Percent Unsatisfied0.00%0.00%3.20%
      Very Unsatisfed (1)100
      Percent Very Unsatisfied50.00%0.00%0.00%
      Primary Reason for Attending Madison College

      202020212022
      Number of Primary Reason Responses22131
      Preparation for Getting a Job21415
      Percent Preparation for Getting a Job100.00%66.70%48.40%
      Career Change023
      Percent Career Change0.00%9.50%9.70%
      Improvement of Existing Skills012
      Percent Improvement of Existing Skills0.00%4.80%6.50%
      Preparation for Further Education039
      Percent Preparation for Further Education0.00%14.30%29.00%
      Personal Interest012
      Percent Personal Interest0.00%4.80%6.50%
      Other000
      Percent Other0.00%0.00%0.00%
      When Employment was Obtained

      202020212022
      Number of When Employment Obtained Responses21725
      Before Enrollment038
      Percent Before Enrollment0.00%17.60%32.00%
      While Attending the College046
      Percent While Attending the College0.00%23.50%24.00%
      After Training at the College21011
      Percent After Training at the College100.00%58.80%44.00%
      Location of Employment (related and unrelated)

      202020212022
      Number of Employment Location Responses21320
      In College District21319
      Percent In College District100.00%100.00%95.00%
      In Wisconsin, Not in District000
      Percent of In Wisconsin0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Outside of Wisconsin001
      Percent Outside Wisconsin0.00%0.00%5.00%
      Employer Location Unknown000
      Percent Location Unknown0.00%0.00%0.00%
      Salary Trend
      Salary Trend202020212022
      Full Time Employment (Related Job)Full Time Salary Count2714
      Average Monthly Wage$3,529$4,199$3,817
      Average Hourly Wage$20.52$24.41$22.19
      Average Work Hours per Week4441.839.6
      Part Time Employment (Related Job)Part Time Salary Count1
      Average Hourly Wage$15.00
      Average Work Hours per Week16
    • Graduate Employers

      Graduate Employers for academic year: 2022
      Employer(s)Job TitleCity*State**Positions
      Afbendium EducationLegal Assistant
      Fond Du Lac County Sheriff'sPatrol DeputyFond du Lac
      Madison Police DeptPolice Officer
      Marathon County Sheriff's OfficeCommunications OfficersWausau
      O'Brien and AssociatesLoss PreventionMonona
      Per Mar Security ServicesSecurity Officer
      Productive Living SystemsActivity Aid StaffWhitewater
      RISE Law CenterLegal Assistant
      Sauk County CourthouseJudicial AssistantBaraboo
      SSM HealthSecurity Officer2
      Sun Prairie Police DepartmentPolice OfficerSun Prairie
      UW - Madison Police DeptSecurity Officer
      UW - Madison Police DeptSecurity 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

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