After deciding that you want to be a forensic scientist and having an understanding of your interests within the field, choosing your next steps can be daunting. There are so many different programs, colleges, and universities that offer great forensic science programs. That being said, there are steps you can take to ensure you choose the best path program for you. The following information is based on advice from a graduate and employee in the field of forensic science.
First, look up current job openings in the field The application will list the required coursework that you will need to have just to get hired. Most job applications require that you have at a minimum, a Bachelor of Science degree in a natural science. While many universities do have bachelor's degrees in forensic science, any degree along the lines of biology or chemistry will be a good starting point. That being said, continuing your education with a master's program in a forensic-specific field is encouraged by many employers as well. For example, Wesli Stubbs, a highlighted individual from our career spotlights, received her Bachelor of Science degree in Cell and Molecular Biology and her Master's degree in Forensic Biology.
This brings us to the next important thing when choosing a college program which is to look into schools that have FEPAC accreditation. FEPAC is the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission. They are a national organization that evaluates college programs to ensure that they are teaching classes that are up to standard in the forensic science field. Many applications will explicitly say that they prefer degrees from FEPAC programs. The
American Academy of Forensic Science has a section that shows programs that are currently accredited, have been accredited in the past, are working on accreditation, or have quality programs that aren’t accredited at this time. Ms. Stubbs’ bachelor's program wasn’t accredited, but her master’s program was, proving that just because a program isn't accredited it can still be high quality.
While these are some requirements of college programs for forensics - to gain a good position post-graduation - other subdivisions of this section of the site will describe specific classes, as well as the full path to a successful career.
The following are some of the most esteemed college and university programs (both undergraduate and graduate), for forensic science and some information about them. The ones listed are nowhere near all programs in existence, and certainly, not all that are of high quality; they are simply ones that are well known and may be baseline programs to apply to when beginning your higher education journey. This being said it is critical to do further research and apply for as many programs as possible, following both location standards and personal preferences.
Loyola University-ChicagoCHICAGO, IL
Bachelors in Forensic Science (Full FEPAC Accreditation)
New Jersey Institute of TechnologyNEWARK, NJ
Bachelors in Forensic Biology and Forensic Chemistry (Non-Accredited)
Texas A&M UniversityCOLLEGE STATION, TX
Bachelors in Forensic and Investigative Sciences (Full FEPAC Accreditation)
University of Central FloridaORLANDO, FL
Bachelors in Forensic Science (Full FEPAC Accreditation)
University of Central OklahomaEDMOND, OK
Bachelors in Forensic Science - Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Digital Forensics, Crime Scene Investigations (Full FEPAC Accreditation)
University of North TexasDENTON, TX
Bachelors in Biochemistry, Biology, and Chemistry in Conjunction with Certificate Program (Full Accreditation)
Eastern Kentucky UniversityRICHMOND, KY
Bachelors in Digital Forensics and Cybersecurity (Full FEPAC Accreditation)
West Virginia UniversityMORGANTOWN, WV
Bachelors in Forensic and Investigative Sciences (Full FEPAC Accreditation)
Michigan State UniversityEAST LANSING, MI
Masters in Forensic Science, Forensic Chemistry Track (Full FEPAC Accreditation)
Boston University School of MedicineBOSTON, MA
Masters in Biomedical Forensic Science (Full FEPAC Accreditation)
Duquesne UniversityPITTSBURG, PA
Dual Degree (Bachelors/Masters) in Forensic Science and Law (Full FEPAC Accreditation)
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