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Program Overview
The Law Enforcement Academy at Madison College prepares you for entry-level positions as a law enforcement officer at the municipal and county level. The Law Enforcement Academy program is limited to sworn law enforcement officers who have been assigned by their department and pre-service students who meet all of the requirements.
The total tuition for the 720-hour (18-week) academy is $5,000. This includes tuition, books, and academy uniform shirts. You are not allowed to work another job (including sworn officers working at your agency) on days the academy is in session. The Law Enforcement Academy is not financial aid eligible. Madison Area Technical College holds two academy classes per year. One during the Fall semester and one during the Spring semester.
Reservations for agency-sponsored recruits must be received by November 1st for the spring academy. A physical readiness (fitness) testing certificate is also required for entry. As a pre-service applicant, you should follow the deadlines listed on the Admissions tab. For sworn recruit enrollment information, contact hps@madisoncollege.edu.
Program Details
Students in the Academy must attend full-time.
Classes are 8 am to 5 pm Monday through Friday. Some topics require evening attendance. The Department of Justice requires you to attend 100 percent of the training unless excused by the academy director. Excused absences are extremely limited and will only be granted under certain circumstances.
The Law Enforcement Academy is offered in the Protective Services Building at the Truax campus and requires travel to off-site locations.
Careers
Prospective employers throughout Wisconsin consider Madison College Law Enforcement graduates top candidates. Program graduates are ready for a range of professional positions in the field including:
- Revenue Agent
- Deputy Sheriff
- Police Officer
- Special Agent
- Park Ranger
- Conservation Warden
With additional education and/or work experience, graduates may find employment as:
- Detective
- Sergeant
- Lieutenant
- Captain
- Chief
Resources
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Curriculum and Experience
Prospective program students, the information below reflects the basic requirements for students admitted for the 2026-2027 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.
Courses -
Admission
Spring Full-Time Academy: January 12, 2026 – May 15, 2026 (application window closed - academy is full)
Fall Full-Time Academy: August 17, 2026 – December 18, 2026 (applications accepted May 1 – June 15, 2026)
Early applications are not accepted. Due to the increased demand for staffing by agencies in our district, seats for pre-service applicants are limited.
Madison College offers basic law enforcement academy training to those persons not yet hired as a law enforcement officer, but who wish to fund and enroll in the training themselves. The process for civilian entry into the academy is not automatic, and requires a complete assessment to include a background investigation, interview panel, skills assessment and a physical readiness test. Madison College only accepts those persons who demonstrate the ability, responsibility and maturity needed to successfully complete our training academy and gain employment as a law enforcement officer. Recruits who enter our academy prior to being hired by a police agency are termed "pre-service." We proudly have a placement rate of over 90 percent within six months of graduation from our police academy for pre-service recruits. You can apply to the Madison College Law Enforcement Academy as a pre-service student if you meet the following qualifications:
- At least age 18 years old
- A U.S. citizen
- Completed at least 40 associate degree level or higher college credits with an accredited college or university
- Applicants must provide an official college transcript
- Colleges and universities must be accredited by an accrediting agency or association that is acknowledged by the United States Secretary of Education
- Have no felony charges, domestic abuse injunctions or mental commitment history
- Have a valid driver's license with minimum infractions over the past seven years
To apply as a pre-service candidate to the academy, please read and follow the entire process below.
Part One: Documentation & Fitness Testing
Download and complete:
Obtain:
- Official copies of your college transcripts
- Official proof of high school graduation or equivalency
- For financial aid also submit your official transcripts to Admissions
- Your driver's record (available online)
- Military discharge records (if applicable)
Drop off or mail documents to:
Madison College Law Enforcement Academy
1701 Pearson St.
Madison, WI 53704Schedule:
Physical Readiness Test You may schedule your test date while your application is in review.
Late or incomplete applications are not considered for entry into the academy.Part Two: Interview
If your application passes review, you will be notified of your interview, it is within 75 days of the start of the Law Enforcement Academy.
- Obtain your official birth certificate
- Complete Birth Certificate Verification DJ LE-322
Part Three: Conditional Acceptance
Based on the results of your interview and fitness test, you may receive a conditional acceptance letter into the academy as a pre-service recruit and directions for fingerprinting and a criminal background check.
Part Four: Final Acceptance
If you pass the Department of Justice background check, you will receive the academy training schedule, uniform requirements, policies, and orientation information.
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Career Outcomes
After completing the Law Enforcement Academy at Madison Area Technical College, you will be able to:
- Make Decisions: Students must make sound decisions which are legal, ethical, do not compromise safety, do not compromise investigations, resolve situations at least temporarily and promote long-term problem solving.
- Use Tactics: Students must use sound tactics by using effective tactical evaluation, deploying resources appropriately, maximizing the use of cover and concealment, using appropriate positioning and movement.
- Manage Emergencies: Students must manage emergencies effectively by taking charge, determining priorities, stabilizing scenes, preserving life and evidence, identifying additional resources needed and returning scenes to normal.
- Conduct Investigations: Students must conduct effective investigations by assessing and stabilizing scenes, identifying and locating victims and witnesses, conducting effective interviews and interrogations, identifying, collecting, and preserving physical evidence, documenting physical and testimonial evidence.
- Articulate and Document Actions: Students articulate and document actions effectively by preparing and using field notes, preparing written reports and associated paperwork, explaining the rationale behind actions taken, and testifying regarding observations and actions.
- Interact with Others: Students will communicate and interact with others effectively by showing respect, exhibiting a professional attitude and demeanor, adapting to situations, and displaying sensitivity for diverse cultures and individuals.
