Introduction to Criminology
Self-paced online Introduction to Criminology course (Criminology 150). NCCRS recommends 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →DelawarePublic safety
Criminology, psychology, sociology: the three courses officers ask about most
By the team. Checked 15 Nov 2026.
The short answer
Criminology, Psychology and Sociology are the three courses police applicants and officers ask about most because they relate to the job and fit most criminal justice and general studies degrees. The Delaware State Police rule counts credits in any subject, so these help with both the 60-credit count and later promotion, once they are on a college transcript.
Why these three
Police work is about people. Criminology looks at why crime happens and how the justice system responds. Psychology covers behaviour, stress and mental health, which come up in crisis calls. Sociology looks at groups and communities, which shapes community policing.
All three are common general education or core courses in criminal justice and general studies degrees, so they rarely go to waste.
How they fit the Delaware State Police rule
DSP asks for 60 semester credits from an accredited college or university, or 30 with two years of active-duty military service. It does not name subjects, so these courses count the same as any other credit once they are on a college transcript.
The difference shows later. A trooper working toward Sergeant (60 credits) or Lieutenant (a bachelor's degree) gains more from courses that fit a degree plan.
| Course | UPI Study recommended credits | Where it often fits |
|---|---|---|
| Introduction to Criminology | 3 | Criminal justice core |
| Introduction to Psychology | 3 | Social science general education |
| Introduction to Sociology | 3 | Social science general education |
Courses that pair well with them
Report writing and ethics come up in every police career. English Composition and Advanced Technical Writing build writing skills, and Ethics in the Social Sciences covers the questions officers face in daily decisions. Abnormal Psychology adds depth for crisis and mental health calls.
- English Composition 1: the base for every report
- Advanced Technical Writing: clear incident and case reports
- Ethics in the Social Sciences: decisions under pressure
- Abnormal Psychology: mental health calls
Getting these courses onto a transcript
UPI Study courses are ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended. They count for DSP only via a college transcript. TESU and UoPeople are partner colleges that consider ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended credit; check their transfer pages, then ask DSP recruiting in writing whether it would count credit posted that way.
On UPI Study PRO at $99 a month, the three courses at a steady pace take about two months, so about $198, plus any college fee for posting the credit.
A simple study plan
Start with the course that interests you most; finishing one builds the habit. Take one at a time if you work shifts, or two at once if you have the hours. Keep a list of each course, its finish date and its recommended credits, and update your credit count only when the college has posted it.
Writing and statistics: the next two to consider
After the three social science courses, many officers add a writing course and a statistics course. Every shift ends with a report, and courts, supervisors and prosecutors read them closely. Clear writing saves time and protects cases.
Statistics helps officers read crime data, understand patrol reports and take part in problem-solving projects. It is also a common requirement in criminal justice bachelor's degrees, which matters to anyone aiming for Lieutenant.
- Advanced Technical Writing for reports
- Principles of Statistics for crime data
- Both often fit a criminal justice degree
What to ask in writing
Before you enrol
Ask the Delaware State Police Recruiting Unit in writing whether credits posted on a partner college's transcript would count toward its 60- or 30-credit requirement before you enrol.
UPI Study is not a college and is not accredited. ACE and NCCRS review our courses and recommend credit; a college decides whether to give that credit and records it on its own transcript.
ACE and NCCRS have over 2,100 cooperating colleges that will consider accepting credits; the final decision is with the universities.
Questions people ask
Does the Delaware State Police require a criminal justice degree?
No. The qualifications page asks for 60 semester credits from an accredited college or university, or 30 with two years of active-duty military service, without naming a subject. Criminal justice courses count the same as any other credits toward that total.
Is psychology useful for police officers?
Many officers find it useful. Psychology covers behaviour, stress and mental health, which come up on crisis calls. It is also a common general education course, so it counts toward most degrees and toward the credit totals for hiring and promotion.
How many credits is Introduction to Criminology?
UPI Study's Introduction to Criminology carries a recommendation of 3 credits. That is a recommendation, not college credit by itself. A college decides whether to post it on its transcript, and DSP decides whether it counts that transcript.
Courses that fit
ACE-recommended or NCCRS-recommended courses, studied online at your own pace.
Introduction to Psychology
Self-paced online Introduction to Psychology course (Psychology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →
Introduction to Sociology
Self-paced online Introduction to Sociology course (Sociology 110). ACE and NCCRS recommend 3 semester credits; each college decides how it applies them.
See the course →Start when you have it in writing
Ask DSP recruiting in writing first, then start with Criminology, Psychology and English Composition.
Sources
- Delaware State Police: Qualifications (official)US citizen; 21 by the end of the Academy and not over 39 on day one; high school diploma or GED plus 60 semester or 90 quarter credits from an accredited college or university, or 30 credits with two years of active-duty military service; 30 credits with two years as a Delaware-certified officer or out-of-state trooper for the accelerated Academy; 60 credits for Sergeant, bachelor's for Lieutenant and above. Checked on 15 Nov 2026.