Pursue coursework in biology, chemistry, and toxicology while gaining the skills you will need to present as an expert witness in a court of law.
The job outlook for forensic scientists and technicians is excellent and anticipated to grow much faster than average over the next decade.
Forensic scientists can choose a career track focusing on a range of sub-disciplines, including jurisprudence, psychiatry, toxicology, and criminalistics. Many forensic scientists also earn law degrees.
This list features some of the best master’s in forensic science degree programs at top colleges across the country. Each school featured is a nonprofit, accredited institution — either public or private — with a high standard of academic quality for post-secondary institutions. The programs on our list are accredited by the Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC), a reputable organization that assesses forensic science degree programs
We evaluated each school’s program on tuition costs, admission, retention and graduation rates, faculty, and reputation as well as the student resources provided for on-campus students. Then we calculated the Intelligent Score on a scale of 0 to 100. Read more about our ranking methodology.
Next, we compared this comprehensive list of master’s in forensic science degree programs to a list of aggregated college rankings from reputable publications like the U.S. News & World Report among others to simplify a student’s college search. We pored through these rankings so students don’t have to.
The American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the largest forensic science organization in the world, has named 11 distinct areas of expertise for forensic scientists and technicians. These include pathology/biology, engineering and applied sciences, and psychiatry and behavior science.
Your ability to work within one of these areas of specialty will be determined largely by the program you choose, since your coursework will focus on one or more areas of interest. Be sure, when you are searching for the right program, that you choose one that includes courses that interest you.
Although there is no licensing required to become a forensic scientist, you may earn certifications in specific areas within which you are working. Toxicologists, for example, may earn specialty credentials through the American Board of Toxicology. The International Association for Identification, meanwhile, provides certifications for forensic artists and photographers.
Most forensic scientists are employed by local and regional police departments and federal government agencies such as the FBI. Work may be primarily in a laboratory setting, but forensic scientists also are called frequently to crime scenes and are a presence in courtrooms during criminal trials, where they serve as expert witnesses.
Here are some questions to ask when researching Forensic Science programs:
Since there are many different career tracks you can take on the road to becoming a forensic scientist, make sure you carefully research programs to ensure that the one you choose has a good range of courses in your particular area of interest. A call to the institution’s admissions office can get your questions answered and help you find the information you need to make an informed decision.
Pay attention to deadlines when applying. There may be one deadline for applications and another for financial aid or scholarship requests. If you are already working as a forensic technician, check with your company’s human resources office to see if they will help pick up some or all of the cost of your degree.