Program Overview

Program Overview

The Law Enforcement Academy at Madison College prepares students for entry-level positions as law enforcement officers at the municipal and county level. The 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.

Program Details

• Program Number:
• Degree: Technical Diploma
• Area of Study: Law, Protective and Human Services
• Delivery Method: 100% In Person
• Estimated Time to Complete: 21 Credits | Finish diploma in 1 year
• Financial Aid Available: Yes

Tuition and Fees

• Estimated Program Cost: $5,392.68
• Tuition and Fees: Use our Net Price Calculator to estimate your tuition costs.

Admission

• Fall Full-Time Academy: August 18, 2025 – December 19, 2025 (application window closed - academy is full)
• Spring Full-Time Academy: January 12, 2026 – May 15, 2026 (application window closed - academy is full)

Admission Requirements

• Pre-Service Applicants:
  • At least 18 years old
  • A U.S. citizen
  • Completed at least 40 associate degree level or higher college credits with an accredited college or university
  • No felony charges, domestic abuse injunctions, or mental commitment history
  • Valid driver's license with minimum infractions over the past seven years

Application Process

Part One: Documentation & Fitness Testing

• Download and complete:
  • Enrollment Application DJ LE-327
  • Academy Background Questionnaire
• Obtain:
  • Official copies of college transcripts
  • Official proof of high school graduation or equivalency
  • Driver's record (available online)
  • Military discharge records (if applicable)

Part Two: Interview

• If application passes review, you will be notified of your interview, within 75 days of the start of the Law Enforcement Academy.

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.

Career Outcomes

• 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.

Curriculum and Experience

• Courses:
  • Application of Investigations
  • Application of Traffic Response
  • Physical Fitness
  • Overview of Criminal Justice
  • Overview of Investigations
  • Overview of Patrol Response
  • Overview of Tactics
  • Principles of Emergency Vehicle Response
  • Principles of Investigations
  • Principles of Tactics
  • Sensitive Crimes

Graduate Summary

• Number of Program Graduates: 48 (2022), 47 (2023), 51 (2024)
• Number of Surveys Sent: 48 (2022), 47 (2023), 51 (2024)
• Number of Surveys Returned: 17 (2022), 13 (2023), 24 (2024)
• Percent of Surveys Returned: 35.4% (2022), 27.7% (2023), 47.1% (2024)
• Available for Employment: 17 (2022), 13 (2023), 22 (2024)
• Percent Available for Employment: 100.0% (2022), 100.0% (2023), 91.7% (2024)
• Not in Labor Market: 0 (2022), 0 (2023), 2 (2024)
• Percent Not in Labor Market: 0.0% (2022), 0.0% (2023), 8.3% (2024)

Graduate Employers

• Employer(s): Capitol Police, Columbia County Sheriff's Office, Columbus Police Dept, Cottage Grove Police Dept, Dane County Sheriff's Office, Fitchburg Police Dept, Jefferson County Sheriff's Dept, Mercy Health System, Middleton Police Dept, Sauk Prairie Police Dept, Sun Prairie Police Department, Verona Police Dept
• Job Title: Police Officer, Deputy Sheriff, Patrol Officer, Security Officer
• City: Madison, Portage, Columbus, Cottage Grove, Fitchburg, Jefferson, Janesville, Middleton, Sauk City, Sun Prairie, Verona
• State: Wisconsin
• Positions: 2 (Capitol Police), 1 (Columbia County Sheriff's Office), 1 (Columbus Police Dept), 1 (Cottage Grove Police Dept), 3 (Dane County Sheriff's Office), 1 (Fitchburg Police Dept), 1 (Jefferson County Sheriff's Dept), 1 (Mercy Health System), 2 (Middleton Police Dept), 1 (Sauk Prairie Police Dept), 1 (Sun Prairie Police Department), 1 (Verona Police Dept)