Criminal Justice Schools in Wisconsin | WI
From police officers and correctional officers to paralegals and emergency management specialists, opportunities abound for criminal justice careers in Wisconsin. The online and campus criminal justice schools in Wisconsin offer programs to prepare you and make you eligible for these professions.
Sponsored School(s)
For example, if you would like to become a police officer or sheriff’s deputy (where approximately 360 new positions open up each year) it’s advisable to take a minimum of an Associate Degree in Law Enforcement plus gain some related experience. To become a corrections officer or jailer, complete a criminal justice degree in Wisconsin majoring in corrections, criminology, law enforcement or another related discipline.
Notice that you often have the choice between taking an online or campus program so that you can pursue your studies at time and location that is convenient for you. The criminal justice schools in Wisconsin offer programs for a range of career goals and interests.
Wisconsin Criminal Justice Career Outlook
Several criminal justice careers in Wisconsin show a positive outlook for growth, according to Projections Central. Examples include:
- Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers – 360 openings/year
- Correctional Officers and Jailers – 180 openings/year
- Detectives and Criminal Investigators – 40 openings/year
- First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives – 70 openings/year
- Paralegals and Legal Assistants – 80 openings/year
- Emergency Management Specialists – 10 openings/year
- Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists – 60 openings/year
- Security Guards – 310 openings/year
Check out the criminal justice schools in Wisconsin for information on programs you can take to become qualified for each of these careers. For example, you can take a law enforcement degree to prepare for a police officer or sheriff’s deputy position. Take a paralegal or legal studies degree to become a paralegal. Complete a criminal justice degree in Wisconsin, majoring in corrections, social work, psychology or law enforcement, to become a probation officer or correctional treatment specialist.
Top Criminal Justice Employers & Agencies
Wisconsin’s third top employer, with approximately 5,000 personnel according to Career One Stop, is Milwaukee County’s General Mitchell International Airport. Several criminal justice positions are affiliated with the international airport. These include aviation attorneys, security specialists and sky marshals (employed through the FAA), police and security officers (hired by the airport’s management), customs agents (employed through the federal government) and DEA Agents (through the Drug Enforcement Agency). Check the online and campus criminal justice schools in Wisconsin for information on programs that will make you qualified for one of these positions. Options include law enforcement, law and homeland security degrees.
Additionally, Wisconsin has two U.S. Secret Service field offices located in Milwaukee and Madison. To gain employment with this federal agency, start by completing a criminal justice degree in Wisconsin specializing in counterterrorism, cyber security or another relevant discipline.
Wisconsin Criminal Justice & Legal Job Outlook & Wisconsin Criminal Justice Salary
| Career | Employment Growth through 2018 | Current Average Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Police and Sheriff’s Patrol Officers | 3% | $50,000 – 55,000+ |
| Correctional Officers and Jailers | 1% | $40,000 – 46,000 |
| Court Reporters | 19% | $54,000 – 56,000 |
| Detectives and Criminal Investigators | 5% | $65,000 – 70,000 |
| First-line Supervisors of Police and Detectives | 3% | $65,000 – 75,000 |
| Paralegals and Legal Assistants | 9% | $40,000 – 45,000 |
| Emergency Management Specialists | 13% | $49,000 – 53,000 |
| Probation Officers and Correctional Treatment Specialists | 9% | $48,000 – 53,000 |
| Security Guards | 5% | $22,000 – 27,000 |
Sources: Growth Projections projectionscentral.com ~ Salary Range bls.gov
Wisconsin Crime Rate
In 2010, the FBI reported approximately 248 violent crimes and 2,507 property crimes per 100,000 people. Violent crimes include forcible rape, aggravated assault, armed robbery and murder, whereas property crimes include larceny, motor vehicle theft and burglary.
According to the National Institute of Corrections, Wisconsin’s crime rate is 14% lower than the country’s average. Its violent crime rate is 32% lower and its property crime rate is 12% lower than the national average.
Wisconsin’s Correctional System Stats
| Facility | Number of Facilities & Offices | Number of Inmates |
|---|---|---|
| Jails | 77 | 14,553 |
| Prisons | 36 | 21,847 |
| Probation & Parole | 100+ divisions of Community Corrections | 67,928 |
Source: www.nicic.gov
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