Forensic science technicians work primarily in a laboratory analyzing physical evidence.
Career opportunities for forensic science technicians are expected to increase by 20 percent between 2008 and 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). A forensic technician works primarily in a laboratory analyzing physical evidence and writing reports. According to the BLS, forensic science technicians may be required to appear and testify in court as expert witnesses. Forensic science technicians also go to crime scenes to help reconstruct a crime or accident and gather and preserve physical evidence.
Alfred State College
Alfred State College offers a Bachelor of Science degree in forensic science technology. To earn a bachelor’s degree in forensic science technology, students must complete at least 124 credit hours including a minimum of 45 credit hours of upper-division coursework and either a semester-long direct study/research project or a minimum 45-hour-long internship in a forensic laboratory. Students focus on either the biological or the chemical applications within forensics. Biological applications include DNA, fingerprinting, genetic analysis and microbiology. Chemical applications include physiochemical analysis and identification of drugs, fibers, soils, glass and other types of physical evidence. Students majoring in forensics select three technical electives and two open electives as well as a core curriculum that includes advanced training in organic chemistry, biochemistry, instrumental methods, criminalistics, law, criminal justice, technical writing and an internship and/or independent research.
Alfred State College
10 Upper College Drive
Alfred, NY 14802
800-425-3733
alfredstate.edu
Michigan State University
Michigan State University offers a master's degree in forensic science. Three areas of specialization offered include forensic chemistry, forensic biology and forensic anthropology. Forensic chemistry concentration focuses on trace evidence, drugs and alcohol, explosives and arson evidence. The forensic biology and forensic molecular biology concentration focuses on DNA and serology. In forensic anthropology, the focus is on skeletal analysis, trauma, evidence recovery and human identification, including coursework in facial reconstruction. To earn the master’s degree in forensic science, students must complete one required course, Survey of Forensic Science, four to 12 credit hours of elective study, 17 to 25 credit hours in the area of specialization and six credit hours of master’s thesis research. They also must write a thesis and pass an oral exam in defense of their thesis.
Michigan State University
School of Criminal Justice
Forensic Science Program
560A Baker Hall
East Lansing, MI 48824
517-353-7133
forensic.msu.edu
International Forensic Science Institute
International Forensic Science Institute (IFSI) at Florida International University offers four academic programs in forensic science. IFSI offers a certificate program, a master's degree program and an online master's degree program in forensic science as well as a Ph.D. program in chemistry with forensic science emphasis. The certificate of forensic science and master's degree program are accredited by the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. Students must complete 90 credit hours for a Ph.D., 32 credit hours for a master's degree or 18 credit hours for a certificate in forensic science.
International Forensic Science Institute
Florida International University
University Park
Miami, FL 33199
305-348-6211
www2.fiu.edu
National University
National University offers a master's degree in forensic sciences. To earn the master's degree, students must complete eight core courses and four courses in one of two areas of specialization: criminalistics or investigation. Core courses include principles of forensic medicine; forensic pathology; forensic psychology, psychiatry and the law; forensic and crime scene photography; major case investigation; crime scene investigation; profiling; and a graduate research project. To specialize in criminalistics, students also must complete coursework in trace evidence, advanced forensic toxicology, advanced forensic serology and DNA, and forensic anthropology and archeology. Students specializing in investigation must complete courses in advanced criminalistics, electronic crime scene investigation (computer forensics), constitution and criminal procedure and advanced fingerprint analysis. The master's degree program is offered online and on NU's California campuses in Costa Mesa, Henderson, Sacramento and Spectrum Business Park.
National University
Academic Headquarters
11255 N. Torrey Pines Road
La Jolla, CA 92037
858-642-8600
nu.edu
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