Program Overview

Program Overview

The Criminal Justice associate degree program prepares students for a career in law enforcement, probation and parole, corrections, warden and juvenile justice-related careers. The program includes courses that explore current topics, examine the evolution of forensic science and community policing, study juvenile delinquency and juvenile justice, and explain the legal foundation of interviewing and interrogation.

Program Details

• Program Number:
• Your Degree: Associate Degree
• Area of Study: Law, Protective and Human Services
• Delivery Method: 100% In Person
• Estimated Time to Complete: 60 Credits | Finish degree in 2 years
• Financial Aid Available: Yes
• Program Transfers: Yes

Admission

To Apply

• Application Dates:
  • Fall 2025: Application open, Application completion deadline is November 15, 2025
  • Spring 2026: Application open, Application completion deadline is April 15, 2026
• Admission Requirements:
  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

Curriculum and Experience

First Semester

• Introduction to Corrections - Criminal Justice (3 credits)
• Introduction to Criminal Justice (3 credits)
• Written Communication (3 credits)
• Mathematical Reasoning (3 credits)
• Psychology Of Human Relations (3 credits)

Second Semester

• Restorative Justice and Victimology in Criminal Justice (3 credits)
• Criminal Law (3 credits)
• Juvenile Justice (3 credits)
• Oral/Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
• Contemporary American Society (3 credits)

Third Semester

• Professional Development for Criminal Justice (3 credits)
• Criminal Investigation Theory (3 credits)
• Foundations of Policing (3 credits)
• Interviewing (3 credits)
• Elective (3 credits)

Fourth Semester

• Ethics in Criminal Justice (3 credits)
• Criminology for Law Enforcement (3 credits)
• Diversity and Criminal Justice (3 credits)
• Police Community Relations (3 credits)
• Report Writing (3 credits)

Recommended Electives

• Electives must be 10- or 20- level courses. It is recommended to complete this in third semester.
• Internship (3 credits)
• Disturbance Resolution Theory (3 credits)

Transfer Opportunities

UW System Schools

• UW Platteville: 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)
• UW Stout: 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.

Wisconsin Private Schools

• Edgewood College: 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.
• Milwaukee School of Engineering: 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

• Number of Program Graduates: 44 (2022), 28 (2023), 31 (2024)
• Number of Surveys Sent: 44 (2022), 28 (2023), 31 (2024)
• Number of Surveys Returned: 31 (2022), 21 (2023), 16 (2024)
• Percent of Surveys Returned: 70.5% (2022), 75.0% (2023), 51.6% (2024)
• Available for Employment: 25 (2022), 17 (2023), 12 (2024)
• Percent Available for Employment: 80.6% (2022), 81.0% (2023), 75.0% (2024)
• Not in Labor Market: 6 (2022), 4 (2023), 4 (2024)
• Percent Not in Labor Market: 19.4% (2022), 19.0% (2023), 25.0% (2024)

Graduate Employers

• City of Madison Police Dept: Police Officer
• Dept of Corrections: Parole & Probation Agent
• Menards: Retail Manager
• Per Mar Security Services: Security Officer
• UW Health Hospital & Clinics: Security Officer

Related Programs

• Criminal Justice-Law Enforcement 720 Academy
• Jail Officer