Forensic Science Degree

There are a variety of forensics disciplines that include crime scene investigation, forensic accounting, forensic nursing, forensic pathology and forensic science. Each of these disciplines involves using information collection to get to the bottom of a crime.

Forensic Science

A forensic science expert can be a forensic science technician or a crime scene lab technician, working with blood samples, fingerprints, DNA, ballistics or in a variety of other areas to determine certain aspects of a crime. They may be biologists or chemists and there is a heavy science emphasis to these programs.

Forensic Accounting

Forensic accounting programs range from bachelor’s to master’s level programs and use auditing and investigative skills to bring to light financial issues that are a part of a criminal investigation. Their findings are often used in court.

Forensic Psychology

Forensic psychology studies how people behave and the criminal mind, along with studying the impact of crimes on victims and how to testify. These programs are usually graduate level programs and involve some in-person work.

Forensic Nursing

Forensic nursing programs instruct nurses on the proper collection of evidence after a crime has been committed. Most forensic nurses earn an advanced certification (AFN) post-bachelor’s degree and learn how to present and testify in court.

Forensic Pathology

Many people learn about the field of CSI from shows like NCIS and CSI: Miami and its many other installments. Forensic pathology is a medical career and involves earning a medical degree. Many pre-med students earn a degree in biology or another type of science before applying to medical school. Luckily, if you want a career in crime scene investigation but you don’t want to go to medical school, there are lots of other people on the CSI team, and you can earn a degree in something else.

Some degree programs in the field of forensics include:

Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science

Master of Science in Forensic Science (MSFS)

Master of Science in Forensic Psychology

Master of Science in Forensic Accounting

Bachelor of Science in Cybersecurity

When it comes time to choose your degree, take a look at some job postings for careers you may be interested in. This can be helpful for determining what courses you’ll need to take to get the career you want. Also, request information from a variety of programs. Each school will have its own unique approach to the curriculum and may have a different way of delivering the information. Whether you attend in-person or online, you’ll want to find a program that is accredited, and is interesting and educational, so you will be well-prepared to enter the workforce in the field of crime scene investigation.