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Criminal Justice Overview

Earn your degree in criminal justice at CVTC! A career in criminal justice is the right choice as our world has become more complex and the demand for criminal justice professionals has increased.

CVTC’s Criminal Justice program provides theoretical and practical information on various types of law, community policing, corrections, investigations, report writing, and professional communication. Other courses will strengthen your ability to interact with the public, work with people from diverse backgrounds, and clearly communicate in a professional manner verbally and in writing.

This program includes plenty of hands-on experience, including preparing you for entrance to the 720-hours of training that is required for certification by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Bureau of Training and Standards and the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Standards Board after you obtain 60 college credits.

Students may participate in a summer elective internship where they will have firsthand observation within a criminal justice agency of their choice.

Career Opportunities

Correctional Officer

Loss Prevention Investigator

Police Officer

Probation Pro Agent

Security Officer

Sheriff Deputy

Graduate Employers

Arcadia Police Department

Chippewa Falls Police Department

Chippewa Valley Technical College

City of Wausau

Dunn County Sheriff's Office

Stanley Correctional Institution

Just the Facts

Criminal Justice
63 Credit Associate Degree

Length of Program //
Two Years

Delivery Method //

Program Location //
Eau Claire and River Falls

Program Location //
August

Start Months //
August

Start Dates //
August

 

Financial Aid Eligible

 

Non-Traditional Occupation

Estimated Program Cost 

Term 1

$

2,706

Term 2

$

2,871

Term 3

$

2,240

Term 4

$

2,415

Books

$

1,001

 Estimated Total: $11,233

View Admission Details

  Earn credit for prior learning! Do you have previous educational or work experience in the field? You could be eligible to receive credit for prior learning. Explore your options today!

Save the Date

 
 

Join us for the Spring Open House

Tuesday, March 28, 2023  //  3:30 – 7 p.m.  //  View Event Details

Program Courses

These are a few of the courses you can take in the Criminal Justice program.

Law Enforcement Crisis Management
Students will learn principles, guidelines, and techniques for law enforcement response to persons with possible mental disorders, alcohol or drug problems, dementia disorders, and/or developmental disabilities.

Patrol Procedures
Learn a patrol officer's role, explanation of handling usual and unusual assignments, strategies of officer survival, patrol tactics, and traffic stops.

Criminal Investigation I and II Theory
Learn principles of preliminary investigation, crime scene control, identification and collection of evidence, development of information, and court presentation of evidence.

Apply TodaySchedule a Program TourRequest InfoTransfer in Credits

Criminal Justice Outcomes

CVTC graduates are ready for the workforce. Each year, we send our graduates the Graduate Follow-Up Survey asking where they are working, whether it is in their degree field, and several other questions related to employment. Below are the program outcomes and job data.

// Program Outcomes
 

62%
Employed

62% of our recent Criminal Justice graduates got a job in the industry.

 

$43K
Yearly Salary

Our recent Criminal Justice graduates reported an average starting salary of $43,048.

 

130
Regional Jobs

There are 130 job openings in the CVTC district for the Criminal Justice industry.

 

Transfer
Credits to Other Institutions

Transfer your CVTC credits to another institution to continue your education. Explore transfer agreements.

Focus On Student Success

The instructors for the Criminal Justice program are fantastic teachers and have the background to add to it. Not only where they great teachers they are now incredible mentors! Highly recommend this program to anyone.

–Samantha, Criminal Justice Graduate

Related Programs & Certificates

Whether you're looking to continue your learning to another program or to gain continuing education credit, CVTC offers a variety of learning opportunities for students.
 

Degrees & Diplomas

Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Academy, Technical Diploma

FireMedic, Associate Degree

Paramedic Technician, Associate Degree

Certificates

Critical Care Transport

Emergency Dispatch

Continue Your Learning

CVTC can help you achieve your learning goals whether you are looking to advance your career or enrich your personal life.

// Explore Continuing Ed Opportunities

  Unsure of which program you'd like to go into? Learn more about our Career Assessment to help narrow down your options.

A Program You Can Trust

Program Accreditation

Wisconsin Department of Justice Logo

The Criminal Justice Program is approved by the Wisconsin Department of Justice. Visit accreditation website.