Bachelor's Degree Programs in Forensic Science - Online & On-campus (2024)

Despite the checks and balances in place to be impartial and objective, the US justice system is biased and subjective. Studies show that justices, lawyers, and jury members cannot maintain neutrality even in Supreme Court cases. Why is this?

Implicit bias, subtle and understated beliefs, are more difficult to observe than overt bias, which is more pronounced and easier to eliminate when selecting a jury. Fortunately, forensic science provides facts that can save lives in the case of serious legal proceedings.

Forensic science is the application of laboratory science to criminal justice. Also known as forensic science technicians, these professionals are bound by ethical codes of conduct in maintaining objectivity in collecting, preserving, and reporting on physical evidence. Forensic scientists are science-based detectives who can save lives and bring criminals to justice using sophisticated laboratory equipment to observe and draw conclusions.

Openings for forensic science technicians are slated for growth in the coming decade. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) shows a 16 percent growth rate from 2020 to 2030, twice as fast as the national average for all occupations in the same decade. Most forensic scientists learn didactic and hands-on skills through coursework, laboratory, and fieldwork experiences offered in bachelor’s degree programs.

While didactic learning is a critical component of all bachelor’s programs, the laboratory experience and mentorship opportunities are vital components of becoming an influential forensic scientist. For example, Ms. Carla Peguese, a forensic chemist at New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office Forensic Laboratory, says of her forensic science undergraduate program at Fayetteville State University in North Carolina:

I was granted multiple research opportunities, which aided in developing and strengthening my abilities. Through this program, I gained a lifetime of mentors that have truly supported and provided me with a solid foundation.

Read on for detailed information about on-campus and online forensic science bachelor’s degree and certificate programs, professional certification, and program accreditation.

Bachelor’s Degrees & Certificate Programs in Forensic Science (On-Campus)

The BLS (2022) reports that most forensic scientists need a bachelor’s degree to meet minimum qualifications. Most undergraduate programs include internship, fieldwork, laboratory experience, and didactic coursework.

Bowling Green State University (BS) – Located in Ohio and easily accessible from Toledo, Detroit, Cleveland, Columbus, Cincinnati, Pittsburg, Indianapolis, and Chicago, BGSU offers a FEPAC-accredited bachelor of science in forensic science.

This program’s students choose from three specializations in forensic biology, forensic chemistry, and forensic examination. Graduates from this program are trained to think critically and use laboratory skills to analyze evidence, solve crimes, and write reports for legal testimonies.

• Location: Bowling Green, OH
• Duration: Four years
• Accreditation: Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC)
• Tuition: $522.80 per credit (in-state); $855.65 per credit (out-of-state)

Fayetteville State University (BS) – Located in North Carolina, FSU offers a bachelor of science program with a student-to-teacher ratio of 10:1. This FEPAC-accredited program emphasizes DNA analysis, crime scene investigation, and trace evidence. This program prepares graduates for STEM (science, technology engineering, and math) careers in forensic science such as serologist, drug analyst, fingerprint examiner, and food and drug inspector.

• Location: Fayetteville, NC
• Duration: Four years
• Accreditation: Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC)
• Tuition: $124.25 per credit (in-state); $607.92 per credit (out-of-state)

Florida International University (certificate) – FIU offers two on-campus certificates: the FEPAC-accredited undergraduate certificate program for chemistry and biological sciences majors and a certificate program for community members with BS or BA degrees in chemistry, physical sciences, or a natural sciences degree.

Both programs emphasize analysis skills in drugs, explosives, arson, trace evidence, essential crime scene investigation, and report writing. The FEPAC-accredited program requires three core courses and one elective course. Graduates from these two programs find work in forensic laboratories or enroll in graduate school in forensic science.

• Location: Miami, FL
• Duration: 1.5 years
• Accreditation: Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC)
• Tuition: $3,084 per semester

University of North Texas (certificate, BS) offers a 19-credit forensic science certificate program to biology, biochemistry, or chemistry students. The on-campus curriculum is aligned with the National Institute of Justice and prepares graduates for the American Board of Criminalistics certification exam.

In addition, students learn skills such as fingerprints, ballistics, and laser analysis and are required to complete an internship. This program prepares students to work in crime laboratories in local, state, and federal government agencies. Pre-med students will also benefit from this program if they aspire to become medical examiners. UNT also offers a FEPAC-accredited bachelor’s degree in biochemistry, biology, and chemistry.

• Location: Denton, TX
• Duration: 1.5 years
• Accreditation: Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC)
• Tuition: $26,554 total per year (in-state); $38,794 total per year (out-of-state)

Common Courses & Requirements in Forensic Science Programs

While each forensic science program’s curriculum and admissions requirements are unique, some commonalities exist between programs. Below is a list of common prerequisites needed to apply for degree and certificate programs and what types of courses to expect in each type of degree.

Associate’s Degree in Forensic Science

• Prerequisites: high school diploma or GED, application, official transcripts of previous college coursework (for transfer students)
• Common courses: criminalistics: physical evidence, crime scene technology, ethics and the administration of justice, plane trigonometry, courtroom testimony seminar, public speaking
• Sample program: Mesa Community College

Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Science

• Prerequisites: high school diploma (or GED) or associate’s degree (for transfer students) from accredited schools, official transcripts of previous degrees, criminal background check, drug testing
• Common courses: forensic chemistry, forensic evidence, forensic analysis, principles of forensic biology, forensic science internship, introduction to criminal justice, genetics laboratory, capstone project
• Sample program: University of Tampa

Master’s Degree in Forensic Science

• Prerequisites: bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, official transcripts of previous coursework, background check, fingerprinting, a strong background in math and laboratory science (including chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry, biology, and molecular biology), letters of recommendation a research statement, minimum GPA
• Common courses: principles of forensic science, advanced forensic science lecture, drug chemistry and toxicology, forensic molecular biology, x-ray crystallography, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, molecular genetics
• Sample program: Buffalo State University of New York (SUNY)

Please visit our Colleges with Forensic Science Programs for a detailed list of degree and certificate programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels.

Graduate Certificate in Forensic Science

• Prerequisites: bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, coursework in calculus, statistics, general biology, physics, general chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and biological chemistry
• Common courses: forensic photography, fingerprinting, medicolegal death investigation, crime scene investigation, firearms and toolmark identification, forensic psychiatry, child abuse investigation
• Sample program: George Washington University

Please visit our Graduate Certificate Programs for Forensics and CSI page for a complete list of graduate certificates in forensic science.

Online Bachelor’s Degrees & Certificates in Forensic Science

In addition to the on-campus offerings, many universities offer online and hybrid (in-person and online) programs. Hybrid and online forensic science programs expand access to students who don’t live near a college or university that offers these programs or require a flexible schedule to continue working full-time while earning a degree.

Arizona State University (BS) – ASU offers a hybrid bachelor of science in forensic science. This 120–credit program requires 40 classes in 7.5-week terms. Students can complete most of the coursework online except for lab science courses such as organic chemistry, which students must complete on-campus in Tempe or transfer from a local college near the student.

Topics include toxicology, botany, forensic anthropology, and molecular genetics. In addition, students learn criminal investigation skills to identify fingerprints, DNA, blood patterns, and other types of physical evidence. Courses include history of genocide, fundamentals of genetics laboratory, and modern concepts in biochemistry.

• Location: Tempe, AZ
• Duration: Four years
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Tuition: $628 per credit

National University (certificate) – Located in San Diego, California, National University offers a graduate-level certificate in crime scene investigation (FCSI) for those with a bachelor’s degree. Students can complete this program on-campus or online and learn essential skills to work in crime scene investigation.

Topics covered include human anatomy, death investigation techniques, victim identification, and medicolegal death investigation. Courses are offered in four-week formats, and students can apply credits earned in this program towards the master of forensic science degree at National University.

• Location: San Diego, CA
• Duration: One year
• Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
• Tuition: $442 per quarter

Purdue Global University (certificate) – Purdue Global University offers an online crime scene technician certificate for certified law enforcement officers. Credits earned in this program can be applied to an associate’s or bachelor’s degree program at Purdue Global University. This 41-credit program requires 15 to 18 hours of full-time study and can be completed in 11 months. Multiple start dates throughout the year offer students convenience.

Topics covered include investigative methods in forensic science, crime scene investigation, expert testimony, evidence collection and preservation, and report writing that students can use in criminal court cases.

• Location: Lafayette, IN
• Duration: 11 months
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Tuition: $371 per credit

Southern New Hampshire University (BA) – Located in Manchester, New Hampshire, SNHU offers a bachelor of arts in criminal psychology with a concentration in forensic psychology. While this program focuses on the intersection of psychology and the law rather than on laboratory science, the curriculum includes STEM courses such as statistical analysis and offers a 12-credit embedded certificate in data literacy in psychology.

In addition, students learn how to assess a crime’s impact on individuals and groups, the relationship between abnormal psychology and criminal behavior, and serve as witness testimony in legal proceedings.

• Location: Manchester, NH
• Duration: Four years
• Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Tuition: $320 per credit

Please see Top Online Forensic Science Degree Programs for a detailed guide to online forensic science degrees.

Professional Certification in Forensic Science

Whether required by law or preferred by an employer, having professional certification in forensic science serves multiple purposes.

First, it establishes a forensic scientist’s commitment to the field and demonstrates credibility. Second, organizations with certified members can better advocate for support for the populations they serve. And lastly, certification in forensic science helps to normalize high standards of professionalism and raise public awareness of the field.

The Forensic Specialties Accreditation Board (FSAB) recognizes ten organizations that offer certification for forensic science professionals. Here are four FSAB-accredited certifications that apply to forensic scientists:

• American Board of Criminalistics (ABC): In 2022, the ABC offered eight unique certifications in areas such as biological evidence screening, drug analysis, hair and fiber, and paint and polymer
• American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT): To be eligible for this certification, applicants must be actively involved in forensic toxicology, take an exam, and recertify annually and every five years.
• American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI): To earn this certification, applicants must be current medical examiners or elected coroner officials and be able to provide documented evidence of medicolegal death investigations.
• Board of Forensic Document Examiners (BFDE): This two-part exam consists of a multiple-choice written examination and a performance examination demonstrating skills in handwriting identification, hand printing, and others.

Maintaining certification requires continuing education courses to stay in touch with the latest techniques and research. For example, the American Board of Forensic Toxicology (ABFT) requires certificate holders to show annual documentation of continuing education in forensic toxicology and pay a $100 annual fee.

In addition, all applicants must earn 50 points of CE every five years, and the ABFT recommends all applicants earn 10 points per year at a minimum to keep pace with recertification requirements.

Forensic Science Program Accreditation

There are two types of accreditation: programmatic and institutional.

Programmatic Accreditation

The Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), affiliated with the American Academy of Forensic Sciences (AAFS), awarded programmatic accreditation.

As of 2022, FEPAC accredited 50 forensic science programs, 31 of which are undergraduate programs that confer bachelor of science degrees. These programs meet very high levels of academic standards for educational quality.

Institutional Accreditation

Not every forensic science program holds programmatic accreditation, but this does mean the quality of education is diminished. The US Department of Education’s Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes six institutional accreditation organizations, which are divided by region:

• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)