Following shows like CSI, forensic science has become a popular major among students in the past few decades. While a real life career in forensic science is vastly different from what appears on these shows, it can still be a very exciting and fulfilling career path. If you’re thinking about becoming a police officer, a forensic science technician, a biological technician, or something similar, going to one of the best forensic science colleges in the United States can help you make that dream a reality.
What is Forensic Science?
Forensic science uses scientific principles and approved techniques to aid lawyers, judges, police officers, and juries with criminal justice. They’re responsible for gathering and analyzing evidence to be used in legal proceedings. It covers a wide breadth of disciplines and methods, and many in this career field will be expected to work both on site and in a lab.
What Can You Expect to Learn in a Forensic Science Major?
Forensic science majors will learn a blend of biology, criminal justice, physics, and chemistry that will aid them in careers in laboratories, crime scene investigation, and laboratory analysis. Forensic science is one major that’s available through schools, but colleges can offer similar programs such as Forensic Chemistry, Forensic Psychology, Forensic and Investigative Sciences, among others.
The exact material you study will depend on your concentration, but generally you can expect to learn about:
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Human anatomy and physiology
- Microbiology
- Pathology
- DNA analysis
- Genetics
- Chemistry
- Toxicology
- Pharmacology
- Ballistics
- Crime scene management
- Evidence collection
- Documentation
- Evidence preservation
- Fingerprint analysis
- Criminal law and procedure
- Rules of evidence
- Ethics
- Computer forensics
- Data recovery
- Criminal behavior
- Profiling
- Fieldwork
- And more
What Can You Do With a Degree in Forensic Science?
Many students who major in forensic science or a related field will go onto a career in criminal investigation and crime scene analysis. These are just a few careers you might be interested in and wages their growth projections from 2020 to 2030:
- Forensic Science Technician
- Median wage: $63,000
- Growth projection: 14%
- Required education level: Bachelor’s
- Police Officer
- Median wage: $65,000
- Growth projection: 6%
- Required education level: Bachelor’s
- Detective
- Median wage: $86,000
- Growth projection: 4%
- Required education level: Bachelor’s
- Biological Technician
- Median wage: $49,000
- Growth projection: 24%
- Required education level: Bachelor’s
- Chemical Technician
- Median wage: $50,000
- Growth projection: 17%
- Required education level: Bachelor’s
Best Forensic Science Colleges
While you can enter some forensic science positions with an associate’s or some college but no degree, more and more employers are requiring more advanced degrees for these careers. It’s important to find a school that matches your goals, both for your education and future job. Taking the right steps now can open the door to more opportunities down the line.
If you’re thinking about pursuing a bachelor’s degree in this forensic sciences, here are just some of the best colleges you can attend throughout the United States:
- University of Puerto Rico – Carolina
- Offered Major: Forensic Psychology
- Acceptance Rate: 55%
- Location: Carolina, PR
- University of Puerto Rico at Ponce
- Offered Major: Forensic Psychology
- Acceptance Rate: 54%
- Location: Ponce, PR
- CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- Offered Major: Forensic Psychology
- Acceptance Rate: 51%
- Location: New York, NY
- Bowling Green State University – Main Campus
- Offered Major: Forensic Chemistry
- Acceptance Rate: 79%
- Location: Bowling Green, OH
- Eastern Kentucky University
- Offered Major: Forensic Chemistry
- Acceptance Rate: 64%
- Location: Richmond, KY
- Western Carolina University
- Offered Major: Forensic Chemistry
- Acceptance Rate: 85%
- Location: Cullowhee, NC
- Thomas College
- Offered Major: Forensic Psychology
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Location: Waterville, ME
- Saint Ambrose University
- Offered Major: Forensic Psychology
- Acceptance Rate: 74%
- Location: Davenport, IA
- Saint Anselm College
- Offered Major: Forensic Chemistry
- Acceptance Rate: 82%
- Location: Manchester, NH
- University of Mississippi
- Offered Major: Forensic Chemistry
- Acceptance Rate: 97%
- Location: University, MS
- Pennsylvania State University
- Offered Major: Forensic Science
- Acceptance Rate: 55.2%
- Location: University Park, PA
- Texas A&M University – College Station
- Offered Major: Forensic and Investigative Sciences
- Acceptance Rate: 62.7%
- Location: College Station, TX
Finding Your Best College Fit
If you’re interested in the subject but not sure if you want to pursue it just yet, many community colleges offer forensic science and criminal justice programs that can offer a way for you to explore the major and ensure it’s for you before committing to a bachelor’s degree program.
Forensic science can be an extremely rewarding and engaging major. If you have an interest in criminal justice, investigation techniques, or the law, this can be a great way to enter a fantastic career field. More and more colleges are introducing this type or program and under different names, so keep an eye out. You might just find your dream school is offering it!
Finding the right school and program that meets your education and career goals in forensic science is essential. College Raptor can help you on your criminal justice journey. Our College Match tool is designed to help you identify the schools that match your personal wants, needs, and goals when it comes to higher education. Plus, it’s completely free! Sign up today.
