Program Description

The Law Enforcement in the 21st Century Associate Degree program is designed for actively employed public safety professionals, including, but not limited to: Police Officers, Corrections Officers and Dispatchers, who wish to earn a degree to further their career. Critical areas in modern policing will be analyzed, including: community policing; de-escalation; crisis intervention; the role of first-line supervisors; early intervention systems; internal affairs; community affairs; technology; and proactive crime prevention. Examine lessons learned by law enforcement practitioners from agencies of all sizes with a strategic overview and practical, task-oriented steps for law enforcement executives to follow when addressing issues within their own communities and agencies. Applications will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis to ensure you are an active member in the public safety field.

Approximate Program Cost

$10,311
Tuition & Fees: $9,840
Books & Supplies: $471

Starting Salary

$44,764–$52,715
Average, according to Economic Modeling Specialists International

Financial Aid

Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).

Available

100% Online
An aerial view of NTC's Wausau Campus main entrance on a sunny summer day. Trees and greenery frame the spacious side walks that lead up to the light-brown brick building.

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The application takes just a few minutes to complete.

Availability

Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.

100%
at Wausau
100%
at Antigo
100%
at Medford
100%
at Phillips
100%
at Spencer
100%
at Wittenberg
100%
at Online

* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.

Outcomes

Graduates will be able to…

  • Demonstrate professionalism
  • Distinguish behaviors leading to criminal activity
  • Employ proactive techniques to reduce crime
  • Analyze crisis intervention techniques
  • Communicate professionally

Careers

Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:

  • Patrol Officer
  • Detective Sergeant
  • Police Captain
  • Police Lieutenant
  • Police Officer

Courses

The Law Enforcement in the 21st Century Associate Degree is a 61 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.

First Term

Introduction To Government Budgeting 3.00
Written Communication 3.00
English Composition 1 3.00
College Mathematics 3.00
Public Safety Communication 3.00
Management Union Relations 3.00
College 101 1.00

Second Term

Media Relations 2.00
Public Safety Incident Management 3.00
Introduction To Diversity Studies 3.00
Leading Change And Diversity 3.00
Psychology Of Human Relations 3.00

Third Term

Crisis Intervention Training 4.00
Oral/interpersonal Communication 3.00
Intro To Sociology 3.00
Law Enforcement Technology 3.00
Criminology 3.00

Fourth Term

Sensitive Crime 3.00
Crime Prevention 3.00
Use-of-force 3.00
Leading Diversity 3.00
Organizational Behavior And Development 3.00

Credit for Prior Learning Available

View All Detailed Course Information

Transfer Information

You can continue your education to earn a four-year degree in a variety of ways.

Program Transfer

The following transfer guides, executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, are based on agreements that allow you to continue your program at another college.

School Name Degree Name
Southern Illinois University Bachelor in Criminology & Criminal Justice

General Transfer

All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.

View all transfer guides

Cost of Attendance

2024–2025 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance

The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student can expect to incur while attending college. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College uses the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student's cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student's financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies.

Please Note: this COA budget estimate assumes full-time attendance for two semesters — Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
Expenses Student Living With Parents (Home) Student Living on Own (Other)
Full-time Tuition (based on a total of 30 credits, 15 credits fall and 15 credits spring)
In-State Tuition & Fees
$4,844*
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$7,127*
In-State Tuition & Fees
$4,844*
Out-of-State Tuition & Fees
$7,127*
Living Expenses (Housing & Food) $3,008 $9,147
Books / Supplies $1,465 $1,465
Transportation $4,017 $4,017
Personal Expenses $3,608 $3,608
Loan Fees $85 $85
Total Estimated Cost Of Attendance
In-State
$17,027
Out-of-State
$19,310
In-State
$23,166
Out-of-State
$25,449

* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2024–2025 academic year. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board and estimated budgets are updated at that time.

For the 2024–2025 academic year, the Wisconsin Resident tuition rate is $149.50 per credit and Out-of-State resident tuition is $224.25 per credit.

For the 2024–2025 academic year, Student Fees include: a minimum $5.00 material fee and a $13.15 per credit activity fee. A $4.00 per semester insurance fee will be assessed to students taking at least one course which has a scheduled session on campus.

Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.

Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.

NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.

For more information regarding billed tuition and fees visit https://www.ntc.edu/admissions/tuition-fees

We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.

NTC Financial Aid Office

715.803.1647
financialaid@ntc.edu

Admissions Process

Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.

Before you apply, you should know

  • This program is intended for those currently employed and working in the law enforcement field.

Fill out our application

The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.

Apply Now

What’s Next?

We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be emailed to you.