Delaware Criminal Justice Schools

With a variety of options to choose from, chances are good that Delaware's criminal justice schools offer programs that fit your career and personal goals. Major and specialization options within Delaware's criminal justice programs include administration of justice, homeland security, law enforcement, and information security. Select universities, including Wilmington University, are now offering undergraduate and graduate criminal justice programs online – an option that can provide increased flexibility.

Quick Facts

• There are 5 schools offering criminal justice degrees in Delaware (see below).¹

• 1 college offers associate's degrees in criminal justice.*¹

• 4 colleges and universities offer bachelor's degrees in criminal justice.*¹

• 2 colleges and universities offer master's or doctoral degrees in criminal justice.*¹

• 2 colleges and universities offer criminal justice degree programs online.*¹

• 1 school ranked in Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges in 2018.²

• No schools ranked in College Factual's Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges in 2018.³

• 1 school ranked in Criminal Justice Degree Schools Best Online Bachelor's Programs in 2018.⁴

• No schools ranked in US News Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs in 2018.⁵

*For not-for-profit colleges and universities with criminal justice degree programs.

Criminal Justice Degree Programs in Delaware

A Delaware criminal justice degree is recommended for those interested in getting started in the field of criminal justice. Although not always a strict requirement, having a degree can differentiate you from other candidates who are competing for an open position. It will also prepare you for the challenges you will face and provide you with a strong foundation of knowledge that will give you the best chance at a long and successful career in your chosen profession. The criminal justice schools in Delaware offer a variety of programs at the undergraduate and graduate levels, with options for traditional on-campus study as well as online study.

Top-Ranked Schools with Criminal Justice Programs in Delaware

Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges*

• University of Delaware (#38 in-state, #43 out-of-state)

*Institution-wide ranking.

Criminal Justice Degree Schools Best Online Bachelor's Programs

• Wilmington University

Profiles of Well-Known Schools in Delaware

University of Delaware: The Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice at the University of Delaware provides the opportunity for individuals to complete a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice or a Master of Arts or Doctor of Philosophy in Criminology. There exist two research centers within the department: the Center for Drugs and Alcohol Studies and the Disaster Research Center. Both facilitate collaborative research between students, faculty, and outside experts. Part of the undergraduate curriculum is an optional field experience course in which students spend time within actual local, state, or federal agency offices. Students interested in pursuing their JD also have the opportunity to seek pre-law advising to prepare for law school.

Wilmington University: The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences at Wilmington University has both a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice and a Master of Science in Administration of Justice. Through becoming a member of the Criminal Justice Association, students have many opportunities to pursue real-world professional experiences. Past activities have included tours of the Philadelphia Police Department, various agencies in Washington DC, and the Delaware State Police Museum. The college also has its own unique study abroad program in Ireland during which students travel the country to visit numerous Irish government offices and correctional facilities.

Notable Alumni from Delaware Universities

• Joe Biden, Vice President of the United States – University of Delaware

• U.S. Senator Thomas R. Carper – University of Delaware

• Governor of New Jersey Christopher Christie – University of Delaware

• Former Governor of Delaware, Ruth Ann Minner – Delaware Technical Community College

Delaware Criminal Justice Careers

One of the smallest states in the US, Delaware is nevertheless home to one of the highest violent crime rates in the country – almost 50% above the national average. In addition, it has a population which is projected to continue growing over the coming decades. These factors have led to increased demand for qualified criminal justice professionals.

[hen-ui-text variant="b4" data-ek="hen-ui-text:22"]Although Delaware is located relatively close to the nation's capital, it has relatively few federal institutions, other than Dover Air Force Base. However, both state and local agencies make up for the relative lack of federal opportunities in the criminal justice area. The average annual salary for protective service occupations, including police and patrol officers, in Delaware is $40,410.⁶ The Delaware State Police offer a post-training salary of over $57,000 and require completion of college work for employment consideration.⁷ Another potential employer is the Delaware Department of Corrections, which is often looking to bring new correctional officers on board.[/hen-ui-text data-ek="hen-ui-expert-quote:0"]

Delaware Criminal Justice Salary and Jobs

Data from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics as of May 2015.^8,9,10,11

Delaware's Criminal Justice Employment Outlook

As of May 2016, the unemployment rate for Delaware was 4.1%.¹² This is below the national average of 4.7%, and well below the state peak unemployment rate of 8.7% from December of 2009.¹² Delaware's most recent unemployment low occurred in December of 2007, with a rate of 3.9%.¹² According to Projections Central, the state's outlook for criminal justice employment opportunities is as follows:

• Police and Sheriff Patrol: 70 annual openings; 46% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 24% holding an associate's degree.^13,14

• Correctional Officers: 40 annual openings; 37% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 15% holding a post-secondary certificate.^13,15

• Detectives and Criminal Investigators: 1 annual opening; 37% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 21% holding an associate's degree.^13,16

• Security Guards: 80 annual openings; 4% in these positions report completing at least some college.^13,17

• Paralegals and Legal Assistants: 40 annual openings; 86% in these positions report completing at least some college, with 30% holding an associate's degree and 44% holding a bachelor's degree.^13,18

Available positions are projected based on jobs growth and replacements.

The Mercatus Center, a conservative think tank, analyzed and rated each state for long-term solvency. After examining Delaware's budgeting process, cash/tax collection, and pensions, it ranked Delaware 38th in the nation.¹⁹ This is an indicator that new hires should keep a close watch on the state's ability to fulfill obligations to pay employee pensions.

Directory of Not-for-Profit Delaware Universities Offering Campus-based and Online Criminal Justice Degrees

If you live in Delaware, we recommend an accredited campus-based or online program for pursuing your associate's, bachelor's, or master's degree in the growing field of criminal justice.

Tip: If you don't live near a campus-based school that offers a program of interest, consider an online degree or a university in an adjacent state (Pennsylvania, Delaware, District of Columbia, Virginia, or West Virginia).

Schools with Online and On-Campus Criminal Justice Programs

Delaware State University (Dover)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice (online or on-campus)Minor | Forensic Science

Wilmington University (New Castle)Bachelor of Science | Administration of Justice (online or on-campus)Master of Science | Administration of Justice (online or on-campus)Master of Science | Administration of Justice: Leadership and Administration (online or on-campus)Master of Science | Administration of Justice: Criminal Behavior (online or on-campus)Master of Science | Administration of Justice: Homeland Security (online or on-campus)Master of Science | Homeland Security (online or on-campus)Master of Science | Homeland Security: Safety & Security SpecializationMaster of Science | Homeland Security: Organizational LeadershipMaster of Science | Homeland Security: Information AssuranceCertificate | Conflict ResolutionCertificate | Criminal JusticeCertificate | Digital Evidence DiscoveryCertificate | Digital Evidence InvestigationPost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Homeland Security

Schools with On-Campus Criminal Justice Programs Only

Note: Student Reviews are based on the experiences of a few individuals and it is unlikely that you will have similar results. Please review the "Data, Student Reviews and Other Information" section in our Terms of Use and Disclaimers.

Delaware Technical and Community College (Dover, Georgetown, Newark)Associate of Science | Drug/ Alcohol CounselingAssociate of Science | Homeland Security And Emergency ManagementAssociate of Science | Information SecurityAssociate of Science | Law EnforcementCertificate | Drug/ Alcohol Counseling

Goldey-Beacom College (Wilmington)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice

University of Delaware (Newark)Bachelor of Arts | Criminal Justice

Wesley College (Dover)Bachelor of Science | Law and Justice StudiesBachelor of Science | Law and Justice Studies: Legal StudiesBachelor of Science | Law and Justice Studies: Criminal JusticePost-Baccalaureate Certificate | Law and Justice StudiesMinor | Criminal Justice

Widener University (Wilmington)Dual Degree | Criminal Justice/ Political ScienceDual Degree | Socia Work/ Criminal JusticeJoint PsyD/ Master of Arts | Criminal JusticeMaster of Arts | Criminal JusticeMinor | Criminal JusticeMinor | Forensic Accounting

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References:1. National Center for Education Statistics: https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/2. Kiplinger's Best Values in Public Colleges: https://www.kiplinger.com/tool/college/T014-S001-kiplinger-s-best-values-in-public-colleges/index.php3. College Factual Best Criminal Justice & Corrections Colleges: https://www.collegefactual.com/majors/protective-security-safety-services/criminal-justice-and-corrections/rankings/top-ranked/4. US News Best Online Bachelor's Programs: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/bachelors/search?program=bachelors&school-name=5. US News Best Online Graduate Criminal Justice Programs: https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/criminal-justice/rankings6. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Protective Service Occupations (Major Group): https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes330000.htm7. Delaware State Police: https://dsp.delaware.gov/about-the-job/8. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Correctional Officers and Jailers https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333012.htm9. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes331012.htm10. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Detectives and Criminal Investigators: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333021.htm11. US Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2015 Occupational Employment and Wages, Police and Sheriff's Patrol Officers: https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes333051.htm12. Y Charts 10 Year Unemployment Chart: https://ycharts.com/indicators/delaware_unemployment_rate13. Projections Central Long Term Occupational Projections: https://www.projectionscentral.com/Projections/LongTerm14. O*Net OnLine, Police Patrol Officers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/details/33-3051.0115. O*Net OnLine, Correctional Officers and Jailers: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-3012.0016. O*Net OnLine, Police Detectives: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-3021.0117. O*Net OnLine, Security Guards: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/33-9032.0018. O*Net OnLine, Paralegals and Legal Assistants: https://www.onetonline.org/link/summary/23-2011.0019. Mercatus Center, George Mason University, Ranking the States by Fiscal Condition 2016 Edition: https://www.mercatus.org/statefiscalrankings

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