
Law Enforcement Recruit
Nicolet College currently offers the 720 hour Law Enforcement Academy to those seeking a law enforcement career in the State of Wisconsin. Successful students will receive up to 32 associate's degree college credits. Nicolet College’s Law Enforcement Academy delivers the criteria established by the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Training, and Standards Bureau. The training instructors are a combination of educators and active or retired law enforcement officers. The training is delivered via lecture, group discussion, hands-on exercises, and scenario participation.
Program Outline
Course # | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
1050470000 | Introduction to Criminal JusticeDescriptionIn this course, students will focus on the following Phase I key topics as addressed in the WI Department of Justice Academy 720 curriculum framework. Topics include: Academy Orientation, Fundamentals of Criminal Justice, Ethics, Cultural Competency, Agency Policy, and Professional Communication. Student learning will occur through lecture, on-campus lab activities, and the Department of Justice 720 Academy Integration Exercises. Corequisites: 1050470100 Basic Patrol Response, 1050490200 Criminal Law. |
3.00 |
1050470100 | Basic Patrol ResponseDescriptionThrough classroom lecture, on-campus lab and WI Department of Justice integration activities students will learn and apply skills addressed in the following Department of Justice 720 Academy Phase I topics: Critical Thinking and Decision-Making, Basic Response (RESPOND), Radio Procedures, TraCS, Traffic Law Enforcement, and First Aid/CPR/AED. Corequisites: 1050470000 Introduction to Criminal Justice, 1050470300 Basic Investigations. |
3.00 |
1050470200 | Basic TacticsDescriptionIn this course, students will learn and apply the skills from Phase I topics outlined in the WI Department of Justice 720 Academy. Topics include: Fundamentals of Firearms, DAAT, Vehicle Contacts, Officer Wellness, and Physical Fitness. Student learning will occur through lecture, on-campus lab activities, independent physical fitness activities, and the Department of Justice 720 Academy Integration Exercises Corequisite: 1050470500 Advanced Tactics. |
3.00 |
1050470300 | Basic InvestigationsDescriptionIn this course, students will learn and apply the skills from the Phase I topics outlined in the WI Department of Justice 720 Academy. Topics include: Constitutional Law, Crimes, Juvenile Law, Interviews, Report Writing, and Evidence. Student learning will occur through lecture, on-campus lab activities, and the Department of Justice 720 Academy Integration Exercises. Corequisite: 1050470100 Basic Patrol Response. |
3.00 |
1050470500 | Advanced TacticsDescriptionIn this course, students will learn and apply the skills from the Phase II topics outlined in the WI Department of Justice 720 Academy. Topics include: Physical Fitness, Defense and Arrest Tactics (DAAT), and Firearms II. Student learning will occur through lecture, on-campus lab activities, and independent physical exercise. Corequisites: 1050470200 Basic Tactics, 1050470600 Emergency Vehicle Response. |
4.00 |
1050470600 | Emergency Vehicle ResponseDescriptionIn this course, students will learn and apply the skills from the Phase II topics outlined in the WI Department of Justice 720 Academy. Topics include: Emergency Vehicle Operation and Control (EVOC) and Vehicle Contacts II. Student learning will occur through lecture, on-campus lab activities, and the Department of Justice 720 Academy Integration Exercises. Corequisites: 1050470500 Advanced Tactics, 1050470800 Physical Fitness. |
2.00 |
1050470800 | Physical FitnessDescriptionIn this Phase III course, students will apply Physical Fitness skills and Officer Wellness required by the WI Department of Justice 720 Academy. Students will apply learning in hands-on lab activities and an on campus physical fitness test/assessment. Corequisite: 1050470600 Emergency Vehicle Response. |
1.00 |
Course # | Course Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
1050415000 | Criminal Justice Practical ApplicationsDescriptionThis class will enable associate degree students to successfully navigate the practical application of the knowledge and skills learned in the program. The course will be focused on the competencies based on the current Wisconsin DOJ training standards. It will prepare the student to successfully complete the practical skills portions of the AAS and 720 hour recruit program. Prerequisite: 1050470800 Physical Fitness (C or better). |
1.00 |
1050470400 | Intermediate Patrol ResponseDescriptionIn this course, students will learn and apply the skills from the Phase II topics outlined in the WI Department of Justice 720 Academy. Topics include: Professional Communication Skills, Incident Command System and NIMS, Hazardous Materials and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD), Tactical Response, Crisis Management, and TECC. Student learning will occur through lecture, on-campus lab activities, and the Department of Justice 720 Academy Integration Exercises. Prerequisite: 1050470100 Basic Patrol Response (C or better). Corequisite: 1050470900 Traffic Response. |
3.00 |
1050470700 | Intermediate InvestigationsDescriptionIn this course, students will learn and apply the skills from the Phase II topics outlined in the WI Department of Justice 720 Academy. Topics include: Constitutional Law II, Crimes II, Domestics, and Report Writing. Student learning will occur through lecture and the Department of Justice 720 Academy Integration Exercises. Prerequisite: 1050470300 Basic Investigations (C or better). Corequisite: 1050471000 Advanced Investigations. |
3.00 |
1050470900 | Traffic ResponseDescriptionIn this course, students will learn and apply the skills from the Phase III topics outlined in the WI Department of Justice 720 Academy. Topics include: Traffic Law Enforcement - Core and Radar, Traffic Crash Investigations and Incident Management, Operating While Intoxicated (OWI), Standardized Field Sobriety Testing (SFST), and Report Writing. Student learning will occur through lecture and on-campus lab activities. Prerequisite: 1050470200 Basic Tactics (C or better). Corequisite: 1050470400 Intermediate Patrol Response. |
3.00 |
1050471000 | Advanced InvestigationsDescriptionIn this course, students will learn and apply the skills from the Phase III topics outlined in the WI Department of Justice 720 Academy. Topics include: Ethics II: Moral Reasoning and Professional Responsibility, Cultural Competence II: Fair and Impartial Policing, Victims, Sexual Assault, Child Maltreatment, Interrogations, Testifying in Court, and Crimese. Student learning will occur through lecture, on-campus lab activities, and the Department of Justice 720 Academy Integration Exercises. Corequisite: 1050470700 Intermediate Investigations. |
3.00 |
At A Glance
How You'll Learn

On Campus
Approximate Cost
$5,219*
*Based on 10-level courses—materials, books, and fees may be additional
This program has a zero cost for textbooks. If you continue your education beyond this program to complete a full associate's degree, there may be additional costs for books.
What You'll Learn
- Examine the components of and interrelationships in the criminal justice system
- Analyze situational responses
- Establish situational safety
- Apply communication skills as a criminal justice professional
- Conduct investigations
- Adhere to the professional code of ethics for a criminal justice practitioner
- Maintain personal wellness
Your Potential Careers
- Municipal, County, State, or Federal Law Enforcement
- Private Security
- Police Officer
- Conservation Warden/DNR or Par
- Deputy Sheriff
Median Annual Salary
$51,158 | $39,753 | $37,062 |
Local | State | National |
---|
EMSI 2020.1
Minimum Qualifications
Please verify that you have met the following minimum qualifications as set forth in Wisconsin State Statute and Chapter LES 2, of Wisconsin Administrative Code:
- I am a citizen of The United States of America (applicable to law enforcement academy students only).
- I am or will be at least 18 years of age by the completion of training.
- I possess a valid Wisconsin driver's license or such other valid operator's permit recognized by the Wisconsin DOT as authorizing operation of a motor vehicle in Wisconsin (applicable to law enforcement academy students only).
- I possess a general educational development diploma or am a high school graduate who has completed a secondary education program through a public school, private school, an equivalency diploma program, or home education program within the United States or its territories.
- I have earned at least 60 associate degree level college credits or higher, or an associate degree or higher from a college or university accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the US Department of Education. (Law enforcement and tribal law enforcement officers who do not meet this requirement at the time of employment, have 5 years from their date of employment to meet this requirement.)
- I have not been convicted of a federal felony, or of any offense which if committed in Wisconsin could be punished as a felony, and has not been convicted of a misdemeanor crime of domestic violence (18 U.S.C. §922(g)(9)), or I have been granted an absolute and unconditional pardon.
Questions
If you have any questions regarding the Academy and the application process, contact Timothy Gerdmann, Academy Director, at 715.365.4535 or tgerdmann@nicoletcollege.edu. For more detailed information, view the 720 LE Academy Learning Objectives document, created by the Wisconsin Department of Justice and the 720 Hour Academy Handbook from Nicolet College.
Gainful Employment Disclosure
This program is designed to be completed in 1 year.
This program will cost $5,161.00 if completed within normal time. There may be additional costs for living expenses. These costs were accurate at the time of posting, but may have changed.
Of the students who completed this program within normal time, the typical graduate leaves with $2,908.00 of debt.
The following States do not have licensure requirements for this profession: Wisconsin
For more information about graduation rates, loan repayment rates, and post-enrollment earnings about this institution and other postsecondary institutions please click here: https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/search/?name=Nicolet%20Area%20Technical%20College&sort=salary:desc
If you are unable to access PDF documents on this page, please contact the Office of Compliance at mschur@nicoletcollege.edu or 715-365-4615.