Delaware Forensic Science Colleges

“Forensics continues to grow, and we are excited in Delaware, as we are in the planning process of building a new state-of-the-art forensic science center.”

John R. Evans, Director, Delaware Division of Forensic Science, Department of Safety & Homeland Security

For those interested in pursuing justice and with 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, address, 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 investigation firms, and homeland security agencies.

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 data transmission across all industries, cybersecurity professionals are in greater demand to address issues of internet privacy, ethical commerce, and national security.

Many forensics professionals have an undergraduate degree in the natural sciences, and some pursue a master’s degree in forensic sciences or a related field. Both online and campus-based programs are available in Delaware. 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 fieldwork, 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 Delaware.

How to Become a Forensic Scientist in Delaware (DE)

Forensic DNA specialists at the Delaware Division of Forensic Science (DFS) are required to have a bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, forensic science, or a related field. In addition, the degree program must have included coursework in genetics, biochemistry, statistics, and molecular biology.

To become a forensic science technician in Delaware, you typically need to have a four-year degree (BLS 2026). 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 (2026) shows that 12 percent of all forensic science technicians in the state have a master’s degree.
• 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 holding 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.

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 work as a forensic scientist. However, it is up to the individual to decide whether to pursue forensic science beyond four years and complete 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 require less 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 option is to complete a bachelor’s degree in forensic science, as recommended by the BLS, particularly when an individual hopes to become a non-uniformed worker, i.e., not employed by a police force.
• Option 3: Receive on-the-job training (timeline varies). Many CSI workers are actually police officers who have completed training through an academy. In this case, they may receive training either by working closely with fellow officers who are already CSIs or by completing internal educational programs.

The BLS reports that a college education may not even be necessary in rural areas, where people already receive on-the-job training and learn 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.

Career Outlook and Salary Data for Forensic Professionals

There is excellent news for aspiring forensic professionals in DE: forensic science is a field on the rise. As proof of point, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025) projects that openings for forensic science technicians nationwide will increase 13 percent between 2024 and 2034, much faster than the growth rate expected for all occupations during that period (3 percent). This expected addition of 2,600 positions nationally is only one career possibility for people trained in forensic science.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2025), the 19,120 forensic science technicians across the nation earned an average annual salary of $79,200. 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 2025)—the latest data available as of July 2026:

	United States
Number of Forensic Science Technicians Employed	19,120
Annual Mean Wage	$79,200
10th percentile	$48,250
25th percentile	$57,830
50th percentile	$72,060
75th percentile	$94,520
90th percentile	$117,250

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 2026), Delaware ranked 33rd 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 2026, none of the programs in the state have earned accreditation from the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC).

Delaware State University

Delaware State offers both a BA and a BS in Biological Sciences. Each program consists of 120 credits. Coursework spans biology, chemistry, genetics, and biostatistics. Electives are available in areas such as toxicology, human anatomy, abnormal psychology, and substance abuse and use. Both programs require seniors to complete a capstone project. While neither program offers forensic-specific or criminal justice-specific training, they do provide a firm foundation for work as a forensic scientist.

• Location: Dover, DE
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Four years

University of Delaware

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 61 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:

Wilmington University

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 offers an MS in cybersecurity: mastery of offensive security tactics program. This 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.

• Location: New Castle, DE
• Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Expected Time to Completion: Bachelor’s (four years); master’s (two years)

University of Delaware

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 Program Accreditation and Certification

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.

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 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 pages.