Criminal Justice

In Delaware State’s Bachelor of Criminal Justice degree program, students don’t merely study from textbooks. They also learn real-world lessons via our outstanding internship program, getting hands-on experience in the law enforcement, corrections, and criminal justice systems. This practical education is paired with a strong academic program that emphasizes writing and critical thinking. Students who earn a criminal justice degree from Delaware State have an excellent track record of success in the job market and graduate school.

The criminal justice major reflects our traditional mission as an HBCU. The program explores the historical and sociological roots of the U.S. criminal justice system, with particular emphasis on its racial and cultural foundations. Students compare the abstract principles of criminal justice against the actual workings of the criminal justice system, while learning about models for reform.

Professional Preparation

The criminal justice major at Delaware State stands out for its outstanding internship program. Our students get field experience opportunities in Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland. They can choose internships that focus on substance abuse, homeland security, corrections, or other specialties. Whatever type of internship they perform, criminal justice majors get to explore their career options, add experience to their resumes, and make contacts within the profession.

The department participates actively in the National Association of Blacks in Criminal Justice, yielding further professional connections and opportunities for students.

Faculty

Criminal justice faculty are devoted teachers with a keen interest in undergraduate education. Professors are approachable and supportive, offering mentorship and academic guidance as well as classroom expertise.

Members of Delaware State’s criminal justice faculty are active researchers and writers, with specialized interests that include domestic violence, prison rehabilitation, drug abuse, mental illness, and international criminal systems.

Research and Experience

Delaware State’s criminal justice department actively supports innovation in the field. The department is currently involved in a project to improve the chain of custody for criminal evidence (including in national security cases). It also is planning to participate in the national “Inside Out” prison exchange program, a new approach to prisoner rehabilitation and behavioral transformation. Students also have the opportunity to participate in community-service projects, take field trips to prisons and social service centers, and join other students in the Sociology and Criminal Justice Club.