Facebook Pixel Tracking

Criminal Justice Program

Associate of Applied Science│2 Years│66 Credits│Fond du Lac Campus│Eligible for Financial Aid

WI Median Salary for Recent Graduates: $43,693

Prepare for a variety of corrections positions and begin a rewarding career with the Criminal Justice associate degree program at Moraine Park.

The Criminal Justice program prepares students to take on a variety of roles in the corrections and criminal justice field. This accredited, two-year program prepares students to work in less restrictive settings, such as group homes, to highly-restrictive maximum-security prisons and careers in law enforcement and community-based programs.

To be successful in this program, students must have strong ethical standards, supportive attitudes and positive values. They must also be effective listeners and negotiators.

To prepare for work in the criminal justice field, students must learn to manage emergencies, conduct investigations, interpret legal standards and think critically. Students gain the communication, social and people skills needed to succeed in the field. Criminal justice students also learn valuable counseling skills.

Graduates of Moraine Park’s program qualify for various roles at correctional facilities and can expect to earn $19.89 per hour in various positions.

Students may begin criminal justice employment immediately upon graduation, transfer into a bachelor’s degree program in criminal justice, or work to get the combination of experience and education required for specific positions such as probation and parole agent. Many current professionals enroll in the program to advance their career.

Potential careers include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Correctional Officer
  • Psychiatric Care Technician
  • Shelter Care/Group Home Worker
  • Home Detention Specialist
  • Youth Counselor
  • County Social Service Specialist
  • Teacher Assistant
  • Probation and Parole Agent

Statewide Median Salary for Recent Graduates: $43,693

Picture of female Washington County Jail Alumni

Course Requirements

Course requirements are subject to change. Visit our catalog for up-to-date information.

Course Highlights

  • Criminal Investigation
  • Paraprofessional Counseling
  • Emergency Response and Operations
  • More

Moraine Park’s admissions starts with the online application. The admissions steps and financial aid process can take 4-5 weeks for some programs, so plan ahead.

View and begin standard admissions steps.

If you have any questions or need help with the process, please contact us at  admissions@morainepark.edu OR 920-924-3200, TTY/VP:Use Relay VRS.

A criminal background check is required.

Tuition Costs

The cost of your degree depends on a number of factors such as total credits required, textbooks and the financial aid you receive. Some programs have additional costs such as uniforms, technology and equipment.

Please refer to the Tuition & Fee Information for enrollment fee information.

Additional Program Requirement

Laptop with internet access

Cost of Attendance

Cost of attendance (sometimes referred to as the “sticker price”) is the maximum amount of money it costs to attend college for one year and is used to determine your financial aid offering.

While attending Moraine Park during the 2023-24 school year, your estimated cost of attendance for one full year includes tuition of $4,375 (15 credits for fall and spring semester), fees of $338, food and housing of $4,052 (if living with parents, $9,614 if living on your own), books and supplies of $2,061, personal expenses of $2,245, and transportation of $2,007 for a total of $15,161. Your direct costs (those costs paid directly to the college) include tuition & fees. The indirect costs (costs not paid to the college) can vary from individual to individual and your own personal needs.

Slide the green circle to adjust credits and cost estimate

Credits:

Your estimated cost for your selected credit load is: $

Cost breakdown:

Tuition: $
Supplemental Fee: $
Material Fee: $

Books and required tools, supplies, or attire are additional.

Alumni Testimonial

“In my two-year criminal justice program I developed critical thinking skills and learned to think creatively. I gained real-life experience from industry experts and was hired immediately after graduation. I became a productive citizen with a broad range of views.

I then enrolled at a liberal arts college as a junior and obtained my bachelor’s then master’s degrees; and because of the foundation MPTC provided me I went on to obtain my doctorate degree. Of these four degrees, MPTC still stands out as the most meaningful and life-changing.”

Chris Schatz, Ed.D, West Bend

Headshot of Chris Schatz. He is smiling into the camera.

High school dual credit provides high school students the opportunity to earn college credit while in high school, without leaving their high school classroom. The courses are taught by certified high school instructors using technical college curriculum, grading policies and textbooks.

Has previous life experience already helped you build knowledge and skills applicable to your studies? Applying previously earned credits to a program of study can save you both time spent in the classroom and money spent on tuition and fees.

Transferring here is easy! You can transfer in prior college work by submitting official college transcripts or get a free transcript review.

Financial Aid is provided to aid eligible associate degree and technical diploma programs with 28 credits or more. Processing can take 4-6 weeks after a student’s completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is received.

Our recruiters on any of the three campuses are ready to help you plan your future!