Home Master's Degree Programs in Criminal Justice Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in Delaware

Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in Delaware

There are few industries in Delaware that have the diverse needs of the criminal justice system. This system includes people who create laws, enforce them, sentence crimes, and handle the punishment and rehabilitation of prisoners. With so many crucial responsibilities, it’s important to have a strong base of highly educated professionals who can think critically about issues.

What Can I Do With My Master’s in Criminal Justice in Delaware?

If you’ve been thinking that it’s time for you to advance your criminal justice career, take a look at our list of criminal justice graduate programs in Delaware below and request information from schools in your area.

Delaware has unique challenges and problems that may not be relevant to other states in the New England area. Earning a Master’s degree gives you the chance to specifically explore Delaware law, criminal justice epidemics, and possible solutions.

The Access to Criminal Justice Commission recently explored Delaware’s extremely high incarceration rates and found that they are tied to a lack of rehabilitation opportunities and substance abuse problems (WDEL, 2015). Identifying the problem is a big step; now, professionals who can interpret and utilize research must find solutions.

Delaware is one of several states that is considering ending its system of cash bail, a decision that would have a huge impact on the criminal justice system (Delaware Online, 2015). Implementing this rule and enforcing it may require the assistance of experienced graduates.

Quite a few graduate-level criminal justice jobs have the potential of boosting your income. For example, police supervisors in Delaware earn an average salary of $95,000 per year and may benefit from a 5% increase in job openings by 2022 (O*Net, 2015). Security managers in this state, who are expected to experience a 10% boost in demand, bring in an average of $127,300 per year (O*Net, 2015).

What Will It Take to Earn My Criminal Justice Graduate Degree in Delaware?

Earning a Master’s in criminal justice in Delaware is a fairly sizable commitment, so make sure you’re ready for the challenges of graduate-level study before committing to a program. Programs in this state require the completion of 30 to 39 credits. If you attend school as a full-time student, this is often attainable within two years.

You may also wish to compare tuition rates at different schools. Reported tuition fees in Delaware range from $625 per credit to $800 per credit. Many students end up paying far less once financial aid, graduate assistantships, and research assistantships are taken into account. The Ronnie Williams Foundation is one Delaware association that funds scholarships each year.

Learning outcomes lay out exactly what instructors expect of students and which competencies you should develop by the time you graduate. Depending on the schools you consider, you may find that learning outcomes cover the following goals:

  • Conducting, analyzing, and pitching research in criminal justice specialties
  • Building a base of theoretical criminal justice knowledge
  • Developing methodological skills in different criminal justice specialties
  • Further exploring two or more specialized areas of study

The curriculum created by each program should reflect these goals and outcomes. Some of the courses you may take on your path to becoming a graduate include:

  • Law and Society in Historical Perspective
  • Theories and Approaches to Social Deviance
  • Race, Class, and Gender
  • Advanced Data Analysis
  • Techniques of Demographic Analysis
  • Application of Criminological Theories
  • Theoretical Criminology
  • Criminology and Criminal Justice Systems

Criminal justice is a field that may highly benefit from your dedication to your community. Request information from local schools now to learn how you can earn a Master of Science in criminal justice in Delaware.