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Willow Dawn Becker
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Delaware Forensics Degrees & Colleges
For those who are interested in the pursuit of justice and have a scientific mind, a degree in forensic science, criminal justice, or a related field can be an ideal educational path. Delaware—the first state to ratify the constitution and the second smallest in land area—has several options for individuals interested in such a career.
Forensic science combines biological knowledge and laboratory techniques to prevent, deal with, and solve breaches in law enforcement, criminal justice, homeland security, and other areas. Careers available to graduates with bachelor’s degrees in forensic science include positions in state or federal crime labs, medical examiner offices, private investigations firms, and homeland security agencies. Graduates with a BS in forensic sciences are prepared for graduate work in biology, chemistry, medicine, or other scientific areas.
Related careers in criminal justice and information security are also on the rise. Criminal justice professionals may work in a variety of public and private settings, such as law enforcement bureaus, probation and parole offices, and correctional facilities in addition to law offices, child welfare agencies, and juvenile detention centers. And with the ever-increasing use of the internet, digital platforms, and electronic transmission of data across all industries, cybersecurity professionals are becoming increasingly in demand to deal with issues of internet privacy, ethical commerce, and national security.
Both online and campus-based programs are available in Delaware. While students typically start by pursuing a bachelor’s degree in the field, many professionals actually have an undergraduate degree in the natural sciences, and then pursue a master’s degree in forensic sciences, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).
Interested students may also be able to find degrees that take less time to complete, such as a certificate in CSI, or an associate degree in forensic science. An education in CSI typically prepares students for field work, while an education in the forensic sciences usually prepares them for work in a lab, or at the upper level, even the chance to be involved in research.
Read on to learn more about forensic science and related programs in criminal justice and information security in the state of Delaware.
How to Become a Forensic Scientist in Delaware
Forensic DNA specialists at the Delaware Division of Forensic Science (DFS) are required to have a BS/BA degree in biology, chemistry, or forensic science. In addition, the degree program must have included coursework in genetics, biochemistry, statistics, and molecular biology. Employment with the DFS also entails a minimum of six months of on-the-job training. Other employment specifications detail that candidates with large-scale laboratory work experience receive special consideration.
To become a forensic science technician in Delaware, you typically need to have a four-year degree, with Career One Stop, a site sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor, reporting that 35 percent of these professionals have earned a bachelor’s degree (CareerOneStop.org). A high school diploma or GED is usually required to seek entry into any postsecondary program, but background classes in biology, calculus, chemistry, and physics could be particularly helpful. From there, prospective forensic scientists can:
Step 1: Complete a bachelor’s degree (four years).
According to the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), an undergraduate degree in biology, chemistry, or physics can be particularly pertinent, but students should also take classes in math and statistics and develop solid writing skills.
Step 2: Consider master’s level education (two years).
The AAFS reports that jobs in forensic anthropology and psychiatry as well as pathology require advanced education and more niche training. Career One Stop shows that 11 percent of all forensic science technicians in the state have a master’s degree. Earning a master’s degree could add two or more years of education.
Step 3: Seek certification from a national organization (timeline varies).
Although certification is not required to practice in the field, some employers may want to see their employees working toward certification or already in possession of it. There are currently nine organizations accredited by the Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB), and the prerequisites to join each vary but typically involve an application and a test of competence. Please note that some of these certifications require graduate coursework.
Following these steps, aspiring forensic science techs in Delaware may seek jobs in various contexts, such as psychiatric hospitals, police crime labs, and government at all levels, to name a few.
The AAFS also lists a variety of characteristics that are important to becoming a forensic scientist. These include:
- Having curiosity, integrity, and the ability to be unbiased
- Having solid speaking skills, as well as note-taking and observation skills
- Possessing writing skills to be able to write scientific reports
In all, it could take four or more years in Delaware to be able to work as a forensic scientist. However, it is up to the individual to decide if they want to pursue forensic science beyond four years and complete either a master’s degree or even a PhD, which could add multiple years to their education.
How to Become a Crime Scene Investigator in Delaware
Becoming a crime scene investigator could be an alternative to completing a full forensic science degree and take less time in terms of academic investment, even as little as one year if completing a CSI certificate. In fact, a college education may not even be required to become a CSI when training is offered on the job. As a result, the steps needed to enter the CSI field can vary based on an individual’s goals, but some of these steps could include:
- Option 1: Complete an education program at a postsecondary college (one to two years). CSI programs can lead to a certificate or an associate degree or, in some cases, be offered as a concentration area or specialization of a bachelor’s degree. These programs may include coursework such as an introduction to criminal justice, fingerprint identification, crime scene photography, and more. In some cases, students who complete a certificate program may be able to transfer their credits toward completing an undergraduate degree.
- Option 2: Finish a bachelor’s degree (four years). Another alternative is simply to complete a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, as this is the recommendation of the BLS, particularly when an individual hopes to become a non-uniformed worker, i.e., not employed through a police force.
- Option 3: Receive training on the job (timeline varies). Many CSI workers are actually police officers who have completed training through an academy. In this case, they may receive training by working closely with fellow officers already working as CSIs or by completing internal educational programs.
The BLS reports that a college education may not even be necessary for rural areas, where someone already has on-the-job training and has learned the necessary CSI skills by working closely with others. Finally, certification (different from a certificate) is available to individuals working in CSI who want proof and validation of their skills.
Strong Demand for Forensic Scientists in Delaware and Salary Data
There is excellent news for aspiring forensics professionals in DE: forensic science is a field on the rise. As proof of point, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2023) projects that openings for forensic science technicians nationwide will increase 13 percent between 2022 and 2032, much faster than the growth rate expected for all occupations during that period (3 percent). This expected addition of 2,300 positions nationally is only one career possibility for people trained in forensic science.
Some of the best job opportunities in Delaware could be in its larger cities, simply because greater crime typically occurs in urban areas. These cities may also be home to universities and colleges with laboratories or other resources available to forensic science technicians. Two of the largest cities in Delaware are Wilmington and Dover.
According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics (May 2023), the 17,520 forensic science technicians across the nation earned an average annual salary of $71,540. The BLS does not have salary details for forensic science techs in Delaware.
Here is a breakdown of the salary percentiles among all forensic science technicians in the country (BLS May 2023):
| United States | |
|---|---|
| Number of Forensic Science Technicians Employed | 17,520 |
| Annual Mean Wage | $71,540 |
| 10th percentile | $41,410 |
| 25th percentile | $50,480 |
| 50th percentile | $64,940 |
| 75th percentile | $84,720 |
| 90th percentile | $107,490 |
The national figures were slightly different according to another source of data, PayScale (May 2024), which relies on self-reported salaries. Among the forensic science techs reporting their annual salaries, Payscale found these percentiles for the US:
- 10th percentile: $30,000
- 50th percentile (median): $55,654
- 90th percentile: $73,000
When reviewing any state or local salary data, it is important to consider the cost of living in that area. For instance, according to the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC 2024), Delaware ranked 31st in affordability, making it more expensive than the majority of states.
Featured Forensic Science & Criminal Justice Programs in Delaware
While there are some forensic colleges in Delaware, as of 2024, none of the programs in the state have earned accreditation from the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC).
Home to one of the handful of bachelor of science (BS) in forensic biology programs in the country, Delaware State offers an interdisciplinary degree program for aspiring forensic scientists. Delaware State University offers a bachelor’s degree program in biological sciences with a concentration in forensic biology.
Coursework spans biology, chemistry, mathematics, and criminal justice areas, in addition to psychology and photography. Emphasizing practical experience, students have the opportunity to work with professionals in the field at law enforcement, military, or community agencies. Select students are granted internships in lieu of doing research for their Capstone project, affording the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a crime laboratory.
Graduates of the BS in forensics are equipped with the skills necessary to analyze crime scenes, conduct cause-of-death investigations, carry out DNA analysis, and prepare reports and presentations of test results. Courses are taught by both academics and professional experts in the field.
- Location: Dover, DE
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four years
UD offers a campus-based bachelor’s degree in criminal justice with several areas of study, including criminology, criminal law, international criminal justice, crime and inequality, and social justice.
These majors are designed for students seeking careers in law, law enforcement, and the courts, as well as in victim service counseling, financial fraud investigations, and research. Notably, the Department of Sociology and Criminal Justice also offers a master of arts and a doctor of philosophy degree program in both sociology and criminology.
The criminal justice department is affiliated with the internationally renowned Disaster Research Center (DRC) and the Center for Drug and Health Studies (CDHS). In addition to studying under the guidance of an esteemed faculty, students have the opportunity to participate in research, field experience, and study abroad programs in professional settings within the criminal justice field. The university also offers a unique opportunity for undergraduates to take courses inside a correctional institution with incarcerated men and women through its Inside/Out Program.
The curriculum of the undergraduate program in criminal justice includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; problems of law enforcement; problems of criminal judiciary; problems of corrections; introduction to American politics; abnormal psychology; and constitutional law.
- Location: Newark, DE
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Four years
Delaware Technical Community College
Delaware Technical Community College offers an associate degree program in criminal justice preparing students for respected positions in law enforcement, corrections, the courts, loss prevention, critical infrastructure protection, and counseling. Offered at the Dover, Georgetown, and Stanton campuses, this is a connected degree program that enables students to complete their program and then transfer to a four-year degree program as juniors.
Comprising 65 credits, the program includes courses such as introduction to criminal justice; crisis intervention; constitutional law; criminology; juvenile justice; criminal judiciary; drugs, society, and human behavior; and corrections in America.
- Location: Dover, Georgetown, and Stanton, DE
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
Hybrid & Online Forensic Science Programs in Delaware
Students in Delaware may be looking to combine online learning with campus-based instruction or fully online programs. Online delivery programs can provide students with increased flexibility, and save them time because they do not have to commute to and from class. While there are not many hybrid or online programs in Delaware specifically focused on forensic science, there are several related programs, including criminal justice and media forensics programs:
Also recognized as a national center of academic excellence in cyber defense by the National Security Agency and the Department of Homeland Security, the bachelor of science in cybersecurity at Wilmington University allows students to specialize in areas such as digital forensics. The program is offered both online and face-to-face at the New Castle, Dover, Cumberland, Brandywine, or McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst campuses.
The BS in cybersecurity provides training in the technical skills needed to solve cybersecurity breaches as well as the “soft skills” needed to understand such problems, as well as the risks and solutions. Examples of such skills are written and oral communication and critical thinking. Courses included in the digital forensics degree include electronic discovery; foundations in cyber investigations; introduction to computer forensics; mobile device security and forensics; computer incident response; and network forensics.
Some of the roles that graduates fulfill upon graduation with this degree are computer crime investigator, computer network defense forensic analyst, digital forensic examiner, network forensic examiner, security engineer, and ethical hacker.
Wilmington University also has an MS in cybersecurity-mastery of offensive security tactics program. This 100 percent online degree addresses topics such as cyber intelligence, cybercrime investigative principles, forensics, preservation of critical infrastructures, counter sabotage, and espionage. Program participants are assessed on their expertise in information systems prior to entrance; prerequisite courses will be required based on the individual performance on the placement exam.
The College of Social and Behavioral Sciences offers a related undergraduate program, a bachelor of science in criminal justice, for students seeking careers in law enforcement, corrections, courts, probation, parole, private security, and related justice-oriented professions. Offered online or onsite, students in the criminal justice undergraduate degree program will be prepared to enter the professional workplace, grow in their current position, or continue on to graduate-level study. They can even get academic credit for their associate degree in criminal justice.
- Location: New Castle, DE
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Bachelor’s (four years); master’s (two years)
UD offers an online master of science (MS) in cybersecurity. Designated as a national center of academic excellence in cyber defense education, the program offers a strong theoretical foundation and practical training.
Students are taught how to design sound networks, software, and systems. Ideal candidates for UD’s MS in cybersecurity have a background in fields such as computer science, information systems, or engineering. The 30-credit program can be completed in two years. Graduates have the skills to apply forensic tools to mitigate threats using virtual machines.
The curriculum includes courses such as introduction to cybersecurity; advanced cybersecurity; digital forensics; secure software design; computer networks; applied cryptography; and search and data mining.
- Location: Newark, DE
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
To learn more about distance-based degrees open to students in Delaware, please visit the online forensics programs page.
Forensic Science & Criminal Justice Curriculum
Aspiring forensic scientists may have science, math, or information/computer science prerequisites to fulfill before gaining entry to a forensics, criminal justice, or cybersecurity program, as an undergraduate or graduate student. Be sure to consult an advisor as you begin the application process in order to confirm program requirements and the appropriate sequence and progression of courses.
A bachelor of science in forensic biology, for example, typically entails about 125 credits of coursework in the following areas:
Biology
- Organisms
- Evolution, ecology, and diversity,
- Intro to biology professions
- Cell biology
- Survey of forensic science
- Genetics
- Scientific literature
- Biostatistics
- Forensic/investigative biology lab
- Molecular biology
- Forensic biology electives
- Capstone research project or internship
- Professional practice in forensics
- Biochemical mechanisms
Chemistry
- General chemistry I, II
- Organic chemistry I, II
- Biochemistry
Sociology
- Introduction to sociology
- Introduction to criminal justice
- Courts and criminal justice
Physics
- Fundamentals of physics I, II
- Math
- Calculus for life sciences
English
- English composition I, II
- Literature
- Speech
- Science writing
Other
- History
- Philosophy
- Global societies
- Photography
- Fitness and wellness
- Seminar courses
Criminal justice programs typically require the following foundation and core courses:
- Introduction to criminal justice
- Problems of law enforcement
- General psychology
- Introduction to sociology
- Criminal law procedure and adjudication
- Principles of investigation
- Introduction to information technology
- American politics
- Child psychology
- Abnormal psychology
- Civil liberties/constitutional law
- Ethics in criminal justice
- Criminology
- Policing in America
- Terrorism
- Corrections-probation-parole
- The youthful offender
Computer and network security core curricula typically include the study of the following:
- Computer applications
- Fundamentals of economics
- Pre-calculus
- Inferential statistics
- Ethics for computer professionals
- Database foundations
- Introduction to computer hardware and operation
- Principles and practice of information security
- Introduction to Linux
- Networks and telecommunications
- Operating system and computer systems security
- Introduction to programming with Python
- Cryptography: algorithms and applications
- Linux for systems administrators
- Windows operating systems and systems administration
- Web and data security
- Firewalls and network security
Forensic Science Program Accreditation
Though it is advantageous to attend a program in forensic science recognized by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), there are many quality programs that have not been evaluated by FEPAC and still offer solid educational preparation in the field.
Regardless of whether a degree program is accredited by FEPAC, certification in the area of specialization an aspiring forensics professional plans to pursue is recommended. Certification attests to the body of knowledge possessed and the area of professional expertise. It also demonstrates a commitment to the field and sets a standard for excellence in practice.
Forensic Science Certifications
Many organizations offer forensic science and CSI certification or membership that can attest to an individual’s skills and knowledge. There is an abundance of organizations offering national professional certification. The Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB) has recognized nine agencies. These include:
- American Board of Forensic Anthropology (ABFA)
- American Board of Forensic Document Examiners (ABFDE)
- American Board of Forensic Odontology (ABFO)
- American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT)
- American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI)
- Board of Forensic Document Examiners (BFDE)
- International Association of Arson Investigators (IAAI)
- International Association of Computer Investigative Specialists (IACIS)
- International Board of Forensic Engineering Sciences (IBFES)
Those who wish to have detailed information on credentialing within each subfield of forensics can visit our programs or careers page.
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Willow is a blogger, parent, former educator and regular contributor to www.forensicscolleges.com. When she's not writing about forensic science, you'll find her blogging about education online, or enjoying the beauty of Oregon.