About
O Forensic science is the scientific method of
gathering and examining information about
the past. This is especially important in law
enforcement where forensics is done in
relation to criminal or civil law,but forensics
are also carried out in other fields, such as
astronomy, archaeology, biology and geology
to investigate ancient times.
How many years does it take?
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Associates Degree in Forensic Science
Traditional
1 and 1/2 years with a maxed-out class load – super-full-time: at or above 16
credits
2 years is the norm – usually full time: 12 credits or more
2 and 1/2 years, or more – usually part time: below 12 credits
Online
1 to 2 years depending on the school – usually you can’t manipulate the program to
go faster or slower – but, there are exceptions to this rule
Bachelors Degree in Forensic Science
Traditional
3 and 1/2 to 4 years with a maxed-out class load – super-full-time: at or above 16
credits
4 to 4 and 1/2 years is the norm – usually full time: 12 credits or more
5 and 1/2 years, or more – usually part time: below 12 credits
Online
2 and 1/2 to 4 years depending on the school – usually you can’t manipulate the
program to go faster or slower – but, there are exceptions to this general rule
Masters Degree in Forensic Science
How many years does it take?
Continued…
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Masters Degree in Forensic Science
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Traditional
1 and 1/2 to 2 and 1/2 years with a maxed-out class load – super-full-time: this may depend on the
school, prior permission may be required
2 to 3 and 1/2 years is the norm – usually full time: may depend on the school
4 to 5 years , or more – usually part time: this may depend on the school, prior permission may be
required
Online
1 and 1/2 to 3 years depending on the school – usually you can’t manipulate the program to go faster
or slower – but, there are exceptions to this rule
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PhD / Doctorate Degree in Forensic Science
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Traditional
2 and 1/2 to 3 and 1/2 – with a Masters degree in certain desirable science based programs and/or
Forensic Science degree: prior permission to take on higher class load may be required, usually having an
advanced degree (MS in Forensic Science) expedites the fast track – not all schools work this way, so it’s
always wise to make sure before you start.
4 to 6 years is the norm – usually full time: the length of the degree may depend on the school
6 to 7 years, or more – usually part time or a class at a time: colleges and universities often cap their
PhD program at 5-6 year mark, prior permission may be required
Online
2 and 1/2 to 4 years depending on the school – usually you won’t be able to manipulate the program
to go faster or slower – but, there are may be exceptions
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Classes you need to take?
O Biology, genetics, biochemistry, molecular
genetics, toxicology and entomology
O Organic chemistry, physical chemistry and
analytical chemistry
O Natural sciences, anthropology and criminal
justice
O Master- or Ph.D.-level training in dentistry,
medicine, anthropology or entomology
How much they make
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A May 2009 Bureau of Labor Statistics report shows the median hourly wages for
forensic science technicians was $26.47.
Industry And Hourly Wages
Local Government (OES Designation) $26.38
State Government (OES Designation) $25.51
Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories $27.43
Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) $44.28
Architectural, Engineering, and
Related Services $28.52
How much does a forensic scientist make per year?
The median yearly salary for forensic science technicians according to a May 2009
Bureau of Labor Statistics report was $55,070.
Industry And Annual Wages
Local Government (OES Designation) $54,880
State Government (OES Designation) $53,070
Medical and Diagnostic Laboratories $57,060
Federal Executive Branch (OES Designation) $92,100
Good colleges to go to
Location
School Name
Distinction
Boston University
Only graduate forensics program offered through a
Boston, MA
school of medicine's anatomy department
Drexel University
Offers forensics graduate program for science
majors and a master's for working professionals
without a science background
Philadelphia, PA
George Washington University
Master's degrees in crime scene investigation and
high technology crime investigation
Washington, D.C.
Michigan State University
Three concentrations in forensic anthropology,
forensic biology and forensic chemistry offered
East Lansing, MI
Ohio University - Main Campus
The oldest forensic chemistry program in the
country
Athens, OH
Pennsylvania State University - Main
Campus
Offers forensic science workshop and short course
University Park, PA
series
Syracuse University
Features Dialogues in Forensic Science program
Syracuse, NY
State University of New York at Albany
The DNA Academy at the Northeast Regional
Forensic Institute is located at this university
Albany, NY
University of California - Davis
Forensic science students won a national grant
award in 2011
Davis, CA
Virginia Commonwealth University
Lab courses taught in the state of Virginia's
Department of Forensic Science Lab
Richmond, VA
Bibliography
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"Top Forensic Science Colleges in the U.S." Education Portal. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar.
2014. http://education-portal.com/top_forensic_science_colleges.html
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"How Much Money Does a Forensic Science Career Pay a Year?." Chron. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Mar.
2014. http://work.chron.com/much-money-forensic-science-career-pay-year-2500.html
"What College Classes Do You Take to Become a Forensic Scientist?." Gobalpost. N.p., n.d. Web.
10 Mar. 2014. http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/college-classes-become-forensic-scientist15589.html
"Forensic Science Training." Criminal JusticeDegree, College and Career Blog . N.p., n.d. Web. 10
Mar. 2014. http://criminaljusticeonlineblog.com/11/how-long-does-it-take-to-get-a-degree-inforensic-science/
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