Associate Degrees in Criminal Justice in Wisconsin

In Wisconsin, prison populations are high, so the expansion of the inmate population coincides with a 43% reduction in crimes reported by the FBI. Research documents a causal link between reduced crime rates and the incarceration of serious, repeat offenders. There is a corresponding reduction in the staggering cost of crime to victims, a factor almost never mentioned when discussing the higher costs of incarceration (UrbanMilwaukee.com, 2018) However, the state is spending a significant amount of money in this area, leading to opportunity for their field.

Education is the key to many rewarding careers. Find out if criminal justice is the right option for you by contacting associate degree in criminal justice programs in Wisconsin.

Criminal Justice Associate Programs in Wisconsin

A variety of Wisconsin schools have associate in criminal justice programs, diversifying your school options and giving you the freedom to choose a school that is right for you. Many counties have their own technical and community college systems with associate programs.

These options tend to be inexpensive, especially for Wisconsin residents.

An overview of associate degree requirements can be found below:

• Timeframe: 4 to 6 semesters
• Credits: 60 to 70 credits
• Average tuition cost per year: $4,394 (College Board, 2017-2018)

You may study the field of criminal justice as a whole if you plan on furthering your education at the bachelor’s degree level or if you want a diverse education that lends itself to many career paths.

If you know which specialties or career paths you plan on pursuing, you may be interested in other Wisconsin degree options. Some of the degrees available in Wisconsin include paralegal, law enforcement, tribal legal studies, criminal justice administration, and judicial reporting.

Online criminal justice programs may have other program options as well.

Since these fields are focused, you may take courses that relate directly to your career path.

For example, in a judicial reporting program, you may take the following courses:

• Captioning/CART
• Realtime Reporting
• Speed Development
• Jury Charge
• Court Reporting Procedures
• Court Reporting Internship

No matter which specialty you choose for your associate degree, criminal justice is a field where you should consider your internship options. An internship is an ideal way to put your classroom theory into practice, helping you prepare for the workplace.

Criminal justice associate degree students may qualify for scholarships at the school, state, and federal level. If you’re interested in a police career, you may look into the scholarship program of the Wisconsin Professional Police Association.

What Can I Do With a Criminal Justice Degree in Wisconsin?

Criminal justice jobs are often at county agencies, city agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private security firms. Your work setting may change throughout your career, so flexibility is an important component in this industry.

For many criminal justice jobs, Wisconsin job growth is in line with national averages. Per CareerOneStop, demand for bailiffs should remain steady through 2030 (2022). Job openings for correctional officers are projected to decrease slightly (CareerOneStop, 2022). The state’s need for patrol officers is expected to increase 6% through 2030 (CareerOneStop, 2022).

Data provided by the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that Wisconsin salaries are close to those reported in other Midwestern states. The average income for a Wisconsin bailiff is $35,080 (BLS, 2022). Correctional officers claim a median income of $52,120 annually (BLS, 2022). For patrol officers, the average income is $69,050 per year (BLS, 2022).

2022 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary and employment figures for Wisconsin contained here reflect national data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed November 2023.

The benefits of a criminal justice education are numerous. Get information that can help you choose a Wisconsin criminal justice associate degree by contacting schools on the list below.