Program Tips

Academic Advising & Student Success

Academic advisors assist students with developing education plans based on their graduation audit. 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).

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.

Library & Academic Support

The one-stop spot for academic help! Free academic help, including drop-in tutoring, test preparation, research guidance, and technology support, available online and face-to-face. More information is available in Commons (Student Services & Support).

Pre-Core Students

Students who have pre-core status have been accepted into the college but not into the program. Pre-core status may be granted because the program is filled to capacity, academic preparedness requirements need to be satisfied, or the program start date is in the future. By completing these courses ahead of time, students can decrease their credit load when they reach the highly demanding core program courses and increase their success rate in the program. Student can complete general education courses while waiting to enroll (or before enrolling) in the core program. Students who complete these courses as pre-core students will NOT be able to finish the program early; core program courses must be taken sequentially. These courses are typically taken by pre-core students:  

• 801-136 English Composition 1
• 809-172 Introduction to Diversity
• 804-134 Mathematical Reasoning
• 809-198 Introduction to Psychology
• 801-197 Technical Reporting (801-136 English Composition 1 is a prerequiste)

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

• Criminal Justice Human Service Seminar 504-912 (3 credits, 3 hours/week)
  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.

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 Transfer Wisconsin at https://www.wisconsin.edu/transfer/. 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.

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 the Student Succes and Accessibility team at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to determine what accommodations they may be eligible for and what documentation may be required.

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.

Title IX Pregnancy and Related Conditions

CVTC does not discriminate against any student based on pregnancy or related conditions and will fully comply with Title IX regulations. Related conditions include, but are not limited to, childbirth, breastfeeding/pumping, miscarriage, abortion, false pregnancy, and recovery from these or related conditions. Students who are pregnant or are experiencing related conditions are entitled to reasonable modifications to ensure equal access to the CVTC’s educational program and activity. Any student seeking reasonable modifications must contact the Student Success and Accessibility team at 715-833-6234 or access@cvtc.edu to discuss appropriate and available modifications based on their individual needs. Students are encouraged to request pregnancy-related modifications as promptly as possible. 

 

Last Updated: February 23, 2026 @ 1:49 p.m.