Program Tips

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic advisors assist students with developing academic plans based on their degree evaluations. Their goal is to plan the right pathway to graduation by maximizing students' potential and ensuring success based on the student's previous academic experience, career path, and responsibilities outside of being a student. Student success specialists assist students in overcoming barriers that many students encounter over their academic career. Their goal is to help students become academically successful by assisting with goal setting, interpersonal issues, success plans, and community-based referrals. More information can be found on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Technology Requirements

Students must have access to a computer or device with a webcam and microphone and have reliable Wi-Fi at home or off-campus.

Academic Support

Free academic help, including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, and technology support, available online and face-to-face. More information is available on Commons (Student Services & Support).

Pre-Program Students

Pre-program students may take courses before actual entry into the program core courses if any of the following apply:

• Program core courses are filled to capacity
• Students would like to begin general education courses before program core courses.

Students must estimate how long to wait before beginning the program core courses. As this cannot be predicted exactly, students must make a best guess as they plan which courses to finish before starting the program core courses.

Sequence of Writing Courses

You must successfully complete the following sequence of courses: 801-136 English Composition 1 and 801-197 Technical Reporting before 504-905 Report Writing.

Distance Learning

Some general education courses are available via distance learning. Check our website cvtc.edu.

Criminal Background/Driving History

Prospective students must be aware that their criminal background/driving history will directly impact their employability in the law enforcement field. While most convictions or a poor driving record do not bar a person from a law enforcement certification, these types of situations may present challenges when applying for a law enforcement agency. Types of convictions that would prohibit employment in the law enforcement field include any domestic violence criminal conviction and felony convictions. Juveniles who have been adjudicated delinquent of an act which would bar them from possessing a firearm as an adult cannot be certified as a law enforcement officer.

Selectives for Criminal Justice Students

• Employability Strategies 504-103 (3 credits, 3 hours/week, Fall Only)
  This course entails essential steps in preparing and obtaining a position in the field of Law Enforcement. Students will explore the various aspects of each setting from an organizational perspective. Resume, letter of application and portfolio tools will be created. Practical applications for job interviewing will take place along with learning from area employers how to conduct a successful interview. Part of the course will be devoted to the preparation and execution of building physical agility.
• Criminal Justice Human Service Seminar 504-912 (3 credits, 3 hours/week, Fall Only)
  The course will include an overview of human service specific careers and more details on how the human service system and resources work with the criminal justice system. Students will learn motivational interviewing skills and specifics on alcohol and other drugs in the course.
• Criminal Justice Internship 504-166 (3 credits, 16 hours/week, Summer Only)
  Prerequisite of second semester status, interviews with instructor and signed contract with a host agency. Firsthand observation within a criminal justice agency of student's choice; learning activities provided on-site with participating agencies.
• Law Enforcement Academy Prep 504-910 (2 credits, 2 hours/week, Spring Only)
  This course is meant for students who plan to apply for the Law Enforcement Academy once they have obtained 60 college credits/Associate's Degree. The course will prepare the student for fitness standards, tactics, testing and other employability requirements to be successful in the 720 hour academy.
• Introduction to Forensic Science 806-170 (3 credits, 5 hours/week)
  This introduction to forensic science course will look at the analysis techniques of trace evidence. How are samples of fiber, hair, paint, glass, body fluids, powder residue, prints, etc. analyzed and verified to link to a particular suspect? Some discussion topics will include: The CSI Effect, Frye and Daubert Standard, Rule 702, and junk science.
• Spanish for the Workplace 802-103 (2 credits, 2 hours/week)
  Introductory conversational Spanish for the person whose business works with Spanish-speaking employees and/or customers. Emphasis is on everyday language usage and interaction rather than a formal grammar approach.

How to Become Trained and Certifiable in Wisconsin as a Law Enforcement Officer – Law Enforcement Certification Academy

You must complete 60 college credits minimum (or obtain Associate Degree) prior to consideration for the Law Enforcement Academy. You must meet the academic requirements while in the Criminal Justice program of 70% (or better) in all 504 classes and meet recommended 90% attendance. You must apply and interview for the Law Enforcement Academy. You must also pass a criminal background check, fitness test, drug test, and other requirements set by the Wisconsin Department of Justice-Law Enforcement Training and Standards Bureau. There will be three law enforcement academies per year (Fall, Spring and Summer) with a maximum of 24 students in each class for approximately 17 weeks or 720 hours. Refer to the Law Enforcement Academy Requirements Sheet for more specific information.

Transfer Credit

To determine what courses may transfer to a public postsecondary institution in Wisconsin, go to the Transfer Information System at wisconsin.edu/transfer/wizards/. Students need to contact the college or university they are pursuing to determine exactly what the school will accept and when to seek admission. The Transfer Information System does not include private colleges or out-of-state institutions.

804-134 Mathematical Reasoning

Students may be eligible to earn credit for the Mathematical Reasoning course if you have taken the WorkKeys assessment or scored a 25 or higher on the Math section of the ACT. If students have met the ACT score or taken the WorkKeys test or would like to take the WorkKeys test in lieu of taking the Mathematical Reasoning course, please contact the Credit for Prior Learning office CPL@cvtc.edu for more details. Students are advised to contact CPL prior to the semester starting or within the first week of the class to ensure that if they pursue CPL, they are eligible for a tuition refund.

Credit for Prior Learning (CPL)

CPL offers CVTC students an opportunity to earn college credit toward an associate degree or technical diploma for previous knowledge and mastered skills directly related to program curriculum. Previous knowledge and skills may be the result of work or volunteer experiences, certifications, apprenticeships, military experience, and courses completed at other institutions. If a student wishes to attempt CPL for a course in progress, it is imperative that CPL is attempted within the first week of the class to be eligible for a tuition refund. More information can be found at cvtc.edu/CPL.

Financial Aid Consideration

Courses must be part of the student's program to be eligible although some specific courses may not be eligible for financial aid. Students must follow their program requirements to be eligible for financial aid. To be eligible for financial aid, students must maintain Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress of a 2.0 Term GPA, 2.0 Cumulative GPA, complete 67% of attempted credits each semester, and complete their program by the time 150% of the published credits have been attempted.

Students with Disabilities

CVTC welcomes individuals with disabilities. We will provide and coordinate reasonable accommodations for all individuals with documented disabilities. Students that might benefit from accommodations during their college experience at CVTC can contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

Title IX Pregnancy and Postpartum

CVTC does not discriminate against any student on the basis of pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Absences due to medical conditions relating to pregnancy and maternity leave will be excused for as long as deemed medically necessary by a student's medical provider, and students will be given the opportunity to make up missed work. Students are encouraged to contact Diversity Resources at 715-833-6234 or diversity@cvtc.edu to set up an appointment as soon as the pregnancy is known.

Last Updated: March 25, 2024 @ 11:39 a.m.