Law Enforcement Academy FAQs

To apply for this program, you must meet at least one of the following requirements:

• Submit a college transcript(s) showing 40 completed college semester credits at an associate degree level or higher, in any subject area. Failure grades will not count toward this 40-credit requirement. The applicant shall possess a general educational development diploma or be 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 it territories. Students who have been home schooled must contact the Public Safety office at 920-498-5423.
• Hold an Associate's Degree in Criminal Justice. The same high school requirements apply as listed above.
• Have status as an officer currently employed by a law enforcement agency. (The application process will be slightly different for those currently employed in law enforcement.)

Full Time Program

The typical schedule for an Academy student is class Monday through Friday for 18 weeks. Class begins at 8:30a.m. and concludes at 5 p.m. Two days per week, students will attend fitness class from 6:30-7:30am. There may be some days where the schedule varies depending on the topics that are presented. Students will need to refer to their Academy calendar and Canvas announcements for any variations in scheduling.

Summer 2025 session: July 1 - November 7, 2025  Accepting Applications 

• Final date to submit completed packet: March 28, 2025
• Fitness Test: April 11, 2025

Spring 2026 session: January 5 - May 14, 2026 NOT Accepting Applications 

• Final date to submit completed packet: October 3, 2025
• Fitness Test: October 17, 2025

Sponsoring agencies need to submit their candidates' information by the application deadline. All requests after that date for sponsored spots in the Academy will be taken based on availability.

Please be advised that we must reach minimum enrollment to run each session as scheduled.

The following costs are associated with application to and completion of the program:

• Program Cost - $5000
• Fingerprinting - Approximately $40 

A note about tuition and residency: The $5000 tuition figure applies to Wisconsin and Minnesota residents as well as those residing in Delta, Dickinson, Gogebic, Iron and Menominee counties in Upper Michigan. All other applicants are considered out-of-state residents.

The following items are ordered through NWTC and comprise the Academy uniform:

• Jacket
• Cap
• Gym T-Shirt
• Gym Shorts
• Short-Sleeve Shirts
• Tactical Boots
• Tac Pants
• Web Belt
• Tactical Training Long-Sleeve Shirt

Directions on how to order the uniform will be emailed to the student approximately two months before the first day of the Academy. Those that apply closer to the application deadline will receive the information after the application is received. The base uniform cost is incorporated into the tuition. Students who wish to purchase items above and beyond the required amount, will be responsible for the expense. Uniforms will be delivered to students on the first day of the Academy.

Students will need athletic shoes, mouth guard and protective cup for training. On the first day of the Academy students will be issued a laptop computer to be used during the time in the program and returned after final testing is complete.

The Law Enforcement Academy is partially eligible for Financial Aid. For more information on Financial Aid and how to apply, please visit our Financial Aid web page.  NWTC also have a payment plan option for student tuition. For information payment plans, please visit the Student Financial Services page. Any questions regarding the plan should be directed to Student Finance at 920-498-5444.

This program is eligible for benefits through the Montgomery GI Bill. Tuition and material fees will be waived for qualified veterans under the Wisconsin GI Bill. For details, contact Financial Aid at 920-498-5465.

Program and material fees will be waived for qualified veterans.

Self-sponsored students must apply to the program online. You can click on the "Apply Now" link on the NWTC homepage. Once you apply, you will receive an email with the admissions packet that must be filled out and turned in by the application deadline indicated above.

24 applicants may be accepted into the program.

Sponsored students must have their department contact publicsafety@nwtc.edu

Please visit our Physical Readiness Test page for more information on the mandatory

This Academy will consist of 720 hours of a variety of topics. Students will learn about firearms, defense and arrest tactics, emergency vehicle operation, professional communication, traffic crash investigation, tactical emergency casualty care and so much more.

You will be notified regarding the status of your application as soon as possible following our receipt of all your application materials (each item listed on the Application Checklist). We will contact qualified individuals as well as those not qualified at the time of application. For those invited to continue the application process, we will provide details on the interview and Physical Fitness Assessment. We will also advise applicants if they will be required to complete a reading/writing assessment.

The application process is in fact a two-phase process: You are first evaluated on the basis of your academic record. If the number of your credits and your grades meet the requirements, you are admitted to the college and are eligible to complete coursework at NWTC. Your acceptance to the Law Enforcement Academy, however, is not final until you have completed the fitness assessment, interview, uniform order, and the results of your background check are satisfactory. Students will be accepted on a first-come, first-serve basis once all portions of the application process are complete up to 24 students.

If your academic and other qualifications meet the program entrance requirements, your acceptance into the program will be considered final after you have successfully completed the following:

• Academic acceptance based on high school and college transcripts
• Admissions packet complete and turned in by the designated deadline
• Successful DOJ Physical Readiness Test within 180 days of the first day of the Academy
• Interview
• Acceptable driving record per college insurance company
• DOJ online application
• Fingerprinting/FBI Background
• Reading and writing assessment (if required)

After successfully completing these steps in the application process, you will receive notification of your acceptance and information on the orientation session. At the earliest, students will be notified about acceptance after the Physical Readiness Test/Interview.

During the orientation session, you will review and be asked to sign the Academy Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics.

If you are qualified for the Academy but the program has been filled, your name will be placed on a waiting list and you will be given first consideration for the next Academy session.