Numerous technical colleges in Wisconsin offer degree programs in criminal justice leading to an associate's degree. One such school is Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wisconsin. In its Department of Law Enforcement & Public Safety it offers a wide range of programs, including an associate's degree in criminal justice and law enforcement. This two-year program covers traffic law, juvenile law, criminal law and constitutional law. For police detectives, areas such as forensic applications, criminal investigations and report writing will be of particular value. Fox Valley also offers certificate programs of interest police detectives. They include programs that cover criminal investigation, and basic and cyber crime investigation.
The Forensic Science Program at Fox Valley Technical College accepts its first class in the fall of 2011. This program awards an associate's degree and is designed to provide the ability to transfer to an university to complete a four-year degree. Its focus is entirely on the use of forensics in detective work. Students will learn how to collect and preserve physical evidence at a crime scene. They also will learn how that evidence is analyzed and the results used in solving crimes.
Many universities in Wisconsin provide the opportunity for transfer by students with and associate's degree or for students at the beginning of their criminal justice studies. The University of Wisconsin at Milwaukee, as part of the Helen Bader School of Social Welfare, offers a bachelor of science degree in criminal justice. Students study all aspects of the criminal justice system -- law enforcement, the courts and corrections. The Field Placement Program, as part of the curriculum, gives the student the opportunity to intern in a law enforcement setting, a judicial setting, a correction placement, or planning and research opportunity. The program also prepares a student for graduate work in criminal justice, if desired.
For the prospective police detective, private colleges in Wisconsin offer another alternative. Marquette, a private Catholic Jesuit college, offers a major in criminology and law studies. According to the school's website, the course is designed for law enforcement personnel including investigators and detectives, among other career fields. Courses such as criminal court process and criminal law and procedure would be of value to police detectives. Marquette also offers a course on police and society, and police organization and administration.