Forensic Science Degree

As technology advances, the ability of federal and state agencies to track, catch, and convict criminals increases. One of the career fields at the leading edge of new crime fighting technology is forensic science. Individuals with a forensic science degree are highly sought after in the criminal justice system and the career field is quickly becoming one of the most highly competitive careers available. Forensic science in a modern society is a study devoted to applying science to answer questions of interest from the criminal justice and legal system.

Forensic science contains six general areas of study, but they are not the only areas of study available to future forensic scientists. Rather, these are among the most common career fields that individuals with a forensic science degree find themselves in. The six most common career fields are:

• Medical examiner
• Crime laboratory analyst
• Crime scene examiner
• Forensic engineer
• Academic assistance
• Technical assistance – for example computer analyst, polygraph techs, or composite drawing

The first step toward attaining a forensic science degree is deciding which possible career field would be the most enjoyable in the future. Most schools do not offer a specific forensic science degree, instead many programs feature criminal justice related degree fields with a focus in forensic science available. There are varying degree programs available to fit the needs of any individual interested in a career in forensic science. These programs can range from Associate’s degrees to Bachelors and Masters Degree programs. Below are just a few of the degrees offered by various institutions:

• Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice
• Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice Administration
• Associate of Arts in Criminal Justice and Crime Scene Evidence
• Bachelor of Science in Forensic Studies
• Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science
• Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science and Investigative Sciences
• Master of Science in Criminology
• Master of Science in Criminal Justice
• Master of Science in Criminal Justice and Cyber Crime

As with most other career fields, an Associate’s degree is sufficient to earn an individual an entry level position in forensic science but those wishing to reach the upper echelons of the forensics field will need to have a more advanced Bachelor’s and Master’s degree.