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Criminal Justice Studies

Imagine being able to protect others from harm, preserve law and order, and help bring criminals to justice every day! With an associate's degree in Criminal Justice, Blackhawk can train you for a wide range of career options – from a police officer to a correctional officer to a victim advocacy counselor – this program has mentored hundreds of criminal justice professionals in Rock and Green counties.

Recently ranked among the top three programs in Wisconsin by CorrectionalOfficer.org, in Blackhawk’s small classroom environment, students learn from faculty who have logged thousands of training hours and have years of real-world experience in all levels of Criminal Justice. In fact, many of the adjunct professors are still working in the field.

In addition to a comprehensive curriculum, many classes are conveniently offered days, evenings, and online to give busy, working adults the flexibility needed to earn a degree. The program also provides an opportunity to choose a law enforcement or corrections emphasis during the second year so students can determine whether they want to earn a two-year degree or make plans to transfer to a four-year college or university.

Please note: If you are interested in pursuing a job in the field of criminal justice, some positions will require a comprehensive background check.

Tuition
& Potential Earnings

Estimated Tuition Cost

$9,888

Median Wage

$63,800

Based on Lightcast Occupational Employment Statistics

Academic Plan

  • Criminal Justice - Introduction
  • Introduction to Juvenile Justice
  • Introduction to Corrections
  • Introduction to Psychology
  • Introduction to Sociology
For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

  • Introductory Criminal Law
  • Interview and Interrogation
  • Peacekeeping in a Diverse Society
  • English Composition I
  • Speech
For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

  • Drugs, Society, Criminal Justice
  • Criminal Procedure
  • Introductory Report Writing
  • Policing and Crime Prevention or Juvenile Offenders and Family or Community Corrections
  • Victimology
For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

  • Criminal Investigation
  • Forensic Criminology
  • Criminal Justice Administration
  • Juvenile Residential Services or Criminal Justice Internship or Fundamentals of Dispatch
  • Mathematical Reasoning or Intermediate Algebra with Applications
For course credits and descriptions, visit the Blackhawk Catalog.

Flexible Learning Options

Many courses at Blackhawk are offered in one or more of these formats:

  • In-Person
  • Live Online (synchronous)
  • Online Anytime (asynchronous)
  • FlexLab (in-person when it fits your schedule)

For some courses, we offer a MyEdChoice option, allowing you to choose how to attend each class session. You can switch between online and in-person formats from week to week or even day to day, depending on your needs and schedule. More Information

In Person
MyEdChoice
Hybrid
FlexLab

Get Credit For Your Experience!

Have you acquired relevant education or work experience? You might qualify for credits based on your prior learning.

Start Your Journey to Success Today

Get in touch with an advisor to discuss program details, curriculum, credit transfer options, and financial aid opportunities.

Additional Program Information

Upon completion of this program, you will be able to:

  • Illustrate the interrelationships of the three core components of the criminal justice system
  • Analyze situational responses
  • Apply communication skills as a criminal justice professional
  • Conduct investigations
  • Examine the professional code of ethics for a criminal justice practitioner
  • Explore personal wellness strategies for the criminal justice professions
  • Explain the role of criminal justice professionals in working with diverse populations
Blackhawk's Public Safety Programs Vehicle

Highlights

Associate Degree

60 Credits

Beloit-Janesville Campus

6004 S. County Road G, Janesville, WI 53546

Potential Careers

Police Officer

Correctional Officer

Private Security

Probation/Parole Agent

Police Dispatcher

Criminal Justice Studies student Catelyn Nolan

"The Blackhawk program has been an exceptional one-on-one learning experience with my dedicated instructors."

Catelyn Nolan

Criminal Justice Studies

Career Pathways

A Career Pathway is a step-by-step plan designed to lead you to career success and advancement.