Master’s in Criminal Justice Programs in Delaware
Updated October 2, 2026
Two Delaware schools offer closely related criminal-justice-family master’s programs, 30 to 36 credits depending on the track, priced from $564 to $1,149 per credit. The degree can support supervisory-track advancement: a Delaware First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives earns a median $131,080 a year, per May 2025 BLS data, though agencies require separate training and certification.
Delaware’s criminal justice system runs on more than patrol officers and prosecutors. It needs people who write policy, manage corrections programs, and interpret research well enough to recommend what the state should do next. A master’s degree is the credential that puts you in that room.
What Can I Do With My Master’s in Criminal Justice in Delaware?
If you’re ready to move your career past entry-level work, Delaware’s graduate programs in criminal justice are a reasonable next step. Here’s what the state’s graduate schools offer, and what the degree can open up once you’ve finished it.
Delaware faces challenges that don’t always look like the ones in neighboring states. Earning a master’s gives you room to study Delaware law and Delaware’s specific policy problems in depth, not just the national picture.
In 2015, Delaware’s Access to Criminal Justice Commission studied the state’s high incarceration rates and tied them to a lack of rehabilitation programs and untreated substance abuse (WDEL). That kind of finding is exactly what a graduate-trained researcher gets hired to act on: identifying the problem is one step, building and running the programs that fix it is another.
Delaware has also debated ending cash bail, a change that would reshape how the state’s court and corrections systems operate (Delaware Online). Changes like that don’t happen on their own. They need people with the graduate-level training to redesign the process and manage it once it’s live.
A master’s can support a move into management, though it doesn’t replace a department’s own hiring ladder. A Delaware First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives earns a median $131,080 a year, according to May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics data — Delaware counts about 430 of these positions statewide, and the role carries its own state training and certification requirements, independent of any degree. Expect to earn your way into it through years on the job, not a diploma alone. Delaware projects 0.7% growth in the role through 2034, per ProjectionsCentral, with about 30 average annual openings as people retire or move on.
Security management is a steadier bet for growth. A Delaware First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers brings in a median $62,840 a year, and the state projects 4.6% growth in the role through 2034, per ProjectionsCentral — about 20 average annual openings in a smaller, 240-person field.
May 2025 US Bureau of Labor Statistics salary figures for First-Line Supervisors of Police and Detectives and First-Line Supervisors of Security Workers. Long-term (2024-34) job growth projections from the US Department of Labor-sponsored resource, ProjectionsCentral. Figures reflect state-level data, not school-specific information. Conditions in your area may vary. Data accessed October 2026.
What Will It Take to Earn My Criminal Justice Graduate Degree in Delaware?
A master’s in criminal justice is a real commitment, not a quick add-on to your resume. Credit loads vary by school and track: the University of Delaware’s graduate programs require a 30-credit minimum, while Wilmington University’s programs run 33 to 36 credits depending on concentration. Wilmington advertises its 36-credit track as completable in as little as a year full-time; plan on longer if you’re attending part-time.
Tuition varies widely by school. Wilmington University lists 2026–27 graduate tuition at $564 per credit; the University of Delaware’s graduate program runs $1,149 per credit. Ask each program about assistantships and aid before you commit. The Ronnie Williams Foundation has offered scholarships for students pursuing criminal justice or law-enforcement-related education.
Programs publish learning outcomes so you know exactly what you’re expected to be able to do when you walk away. Depending on the school, expect outcomes built around:
- Conducting, analyzing, and presenting original research in a criminal justice specialty
- Building a working theoretical foundation in criminal justice
- Developing research methods specific to different criminal justice specialties
- Going deep in two or more specialized areas of study
The coursework should map to those outcomes. Expect classes like:
- 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
Where to Study a Master’s in Criminal Justice in Delaware
Two Delaware institutions offer a master’s-level program in the criminal justice family, per federal education data. Confirm current enrollment, format, and admission requirements directly with each school before applying. Program offerings can shift between when a school reports to the Department of Education and when you enroll.
| Institution | City | Control | Master’s Program(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Delaware | Newark | Public | Homeland Security |
| Wilmington University | New Castle | Private nonprofit | Criminal Justice; Homeland Security; Protective Services (Other) |
School and program data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, institution file May 2025 and field-of-study file April 2025. Data accessed October 2026.
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Montana
- New Hampshire
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Oklahoma
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- Vermont
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a master’s in criminal justice take in Delaware?
It depends on the school and track. The University of Delaware’s graduate program requires a 30-credit minimum, and Wilmington University’s programs run 33 to 36 credits. Wilmington advertises its 36-credit track as completable in as little as a year full-time; plan on longer if you attend part-time.
How much does a criminal justice master’s program cost in Delaware?
Tuition varies significantly by school. Wilmington University lists 2026–27 graduate tuition at $564 per credit, while the University of Delaware’s graduate program runs $1,149 per credit. Ask each program about assistantships and aid before you commit.
What jobs can I get with a master’s in criminal justice in Delaware?
The degree is most useful for supervisory and management-track roles rather than entry-level patrol work. A Delaware First-Line Supervisor of Police and Detectives earns a median $131,080 a year; a First-Line Supervisor of Security Workers earns a median $62,840. Both roles carry their own state training, experience, and certification requirements that a master’s degree doesn’t replace.
Which Delaware schools offer a master’s in criminal justice?
University of Delaware and Wilmington University both offer master’s-level programs in the criminal justice family, per federal education data. Confirm current program details with each school directly.
Do I need a bachelor’s in criminal justice to apply?
Not necessarily. Most graduate programs want a bachelor’s degree from an accredited school and a competitive GPA, but the undergraduate major is often flexible. Check each program’s specific admission requirements before you apply.
Key Takeaways
- Credit load – 30 credits minimum at UD; 33 to 36 at Wilmington, depending on concentration
- Cost – $564 per credit at Wilmington (2026–27) to $1,149 per credit at UD
- Payoff – Supervisory roles like police and detective supervisors ($131,080 median) and security supervisors ($62,840 median) are where the degree pays off most, alongside each role’s own training and certification requirements
- Where to study – University of Delaware and Wilmington University both offer closely related master’s programs in-state
Start by comparing the University of Delaware and Wilmington University program pages side by side, then reach out to each directly to confirm current admission requirements and format. If you want help narrowing the field faster, request information from the featured programs above.
Want the bigger picture? Read the full guide to Master’s Degree in Criminal Justice.