Forensic science is applying techniques from the natural and physical sciences to legal issues in both the criminal and civil realms. We use forensic Science in the prosecution and investigation of crimes like rape, murder, and drug trafficking.
It can also be used where a crime hasn’t been committed, but someone is accused of committing a civil wrong (see tort), like willfully polluting the air or water or resulting in industrial injuries.
A career in forensics can be rewarding and influential for those who enjoy puzzles and problem-solving. Forensics is “The application of scientific procedures and methods to the investigations of a crime”.
These individuals work at the nexus of science and law enforcement. They process and examine various sorts of evidence, such as biological, chemical, and digital, to help investigate crimes.
It is an established reality that crime rates are rising quickly worldwide. Forensic Science is crucial in criminal investigations because it can help solve crimes more quickly. We will learn about the 20 colleges with forensic science majors in this article.
Why forensic Science?
Forensic science aids in the Identification of criminal few and disaster victims. The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) method can produce from a few skin cells millions of copies of DNA. With these DNA methods, you can connect perpetrators to their crimes and victims.
In disasters where it may be impossible to identify bodies using conventional methods, they frequently utilized DNA to identify bodies. This enables the return of the remains to the legitimate family and provides those families with closure.
According to the Justice Project, over 250 people who were found guilty by a jury in the United States had their cases overturned because of the utilization of DNA evidence. Techniques and technology in forensic Science have improved quickly.
Examining postmortem alterations, blunt injuries, burn, and scalds on the body, and the scene of death aid in identifying the cause of death. If it is a sudden natural death, the coroner or a medical examiner looks into the situation.
By examining the state of the car, tire, and other marks, eyewitness accounts, computing the vehicle’s speed, and other factors, forensic analysis is employed to evaluate accident situations and identify its cause. If you want to make a career out of Forensic Science, then make your choice out of the best colleges with Forensic science majors discussed for you here!
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How Do I Ensure A Forensic College Offers Accurate Forensic Instruction?
Examining a forensics program’s accreditation status is one way to make sure it provides proper scientific teaching. By obtaining accreditation, a school or program can demonstrate that its teachers, facilities, and students’ achievements all meet the minimum requirements of excellence.
The Forensic Science Education Programs Accreditation Commission (FEPAC) is the industry benchmark for programming accreditation. Although FEPAC usually only accredits bachelor’s and Master’s degree programs, there are also associate’s and doctoral-level forensics programs, as well as certifications and diplomas.
The colleges with Forensic science majors we listed in this article have been proven to offer accurate forensic instructions.
Are There Online Forensic Programs Available?
Although there are physical colleges with Forensic science majors, there are also distance-based choices available besides the authorized campus-based forensic science programs. In the past, it took a lot of work to locate programs that fit working professionals and people with family responsibilities’ routines concerning time or location.
Thankfully, programs beyond the conventional, brick-and-mortar educational model are now available. A growing percentage of forensics students prefer online learning since it allows them to customize their education to suit their unique demands.
Online forensics programs are becoming more and more popular due to a variety of variables. For example, as technology has grown, so too has academic authorities’ and students’ acceptance of online learning.
Furthermore, according to research by Learning House, Inc., 85% of students who have experience with both face-to-face and online learning environments said their online education was on par with or better than their face-to-face sessions. More than one-third of the respondents to the study said that taking lessons online was a better way to learn.
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What do graduates in forensic Science do?
15 months after graduation, more than a quarter (27%) of forensic science graduates are employed as natural and social scientific professionals (11%) or as Science, engineering, and manufacturing technicians (16%).
The top 10 jobs also include teaching (2%), quality and regulatory (2%), and business, research, and administrative (2%) experts.
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20 Colleges With Forensic Majors in 2024
Many states in the US have colleges with Forensic science majors that are high-ranked and well-recognized around the world. We have limited our listing to just 20 of them. Here are the best colleges with Forensic science majors.
#1. Pennsylvania State University
Penn State University is known to be one of the prestigious colleges with Forensic science majors.
The forensic science program at Penn State results from inter-college cooperation between various academic units.
It offers a foundation in fields like the biological, physical, and mathematical sciences, as well as subjects in criminalistics, forensic chemistry, forensic biology, crime scene investigation, and social sciences.
Biology and chemistry are the two-degree specializations available to students. An innovative crime laboratory and crime scene training facilities are available to them.
#2. CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice
This is one of the best colleges with Forensic science majors you will find in the US.
Three options are available for the Forensic Science major: Criminalistics, Molecular Biology, as well as Toxicology. Regardless of their area of focus, students learn how to get and understand scientific data and concepts from the physical and biological sciences, conduct research, communicate scientific findings, and more.
As a requirement of the curriculum, students must perform an internship. They will also have access to a variety of chances for experiential learning.
#3. Saint Louis University
Forensic Science at SLU is very profound, and this affords it a place among the top colleges with Forensic science majors.
The Forensic Science at Saint Louis University uses the approaches, instruments, and viewpoints of biology, chemistry, anthropology, sociology, physics, maths, and medicine to give students a good foundation in this area where Science and law meet. By graduating, students will have a thorough understanding of scientific techniques in various fields.
Students have the chance to take part in independent research projects at various facilities because of the department’s contact with forensic science laboratories in the St. Louis metropolitan area. The lab is the location of the Forensic Science Club and is a course on crime scene investigation.
#4. George Mason University
In addition to laboratory and field applications, like crime scene investigation, forensic DNA, forensic chemistry, trace evidence, firearms examination, fingerprinting, arson, and drug analysis, George Mason’s Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science program provides an exploration into several subfields within the field.
Students can pursue a program in forensic chemistry or biology, both of which offer a cutting-edge, practical curriculum.
Because of the university’s connections with many forensic science agencies and laboratories, including the FBI, students can receive practical experience in state-of-the-art settings. This should make it to your list of prospective colleges with Forensic science majors.
#5. University of Central Florida
The University of Central Florida is among the best colleges with Forensic science majors in Florida and the US at large. The biochemistry and chemistry tracks in the forensic science department at UCF give students two distinct perspectives on the subject.
Students gain knowledge of the tools employed, scientific writing, how to carry out and assess scientific investigations, and their future roles in the legal system. They will also get first-hand training in an innovative lab.
Location: Orlando, Florida
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#6. Hofstra University
The Forensic Science curriculum at Hofstra University is interdisciplinary and offers a solid grounding in chemistry, biology, physics, arithmetic, law, psychology, and even photography.
HU has become one of the wonderful colleges with Forensic science majors to enroll in. The university’s laboratories are equipped with innovative technology, exposing students to the instruments used in contemporary forensic laboratories.
Additionally, there are opportunities for research, internships, peer teaching, and other things for students.
Location: Hempstead, New York
#7. University of Nebraska (Lincoln)
UNL is one of the excellent colleges with a Forensic science major you would want to look out for! Students who enroll in UNL’s forensic science program graduate with the technical know-how and practical experience necessary to put their talents to use in a variety of pertinent situations and come to intelligent conclusions.
Small class numbers encourage students to form connections with industry experts who act as mentors and leaders, which benefits the students. They can pursue internships, research, and capstone projects.
Location: Lincoln, Nebraska
#8. Virginia Commonwealth University
Students who enroll in VCU’s Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science program graduate with the knowledge and practical experience necessary to be successful in the field.
The course provides concentrations in Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry, and Physical Evidence. All majors can complete internships in forensic laboratories while obtaining academic credit.
Location: Richmond
#9. Loyola University Chicago
Students will gain a comprehensive knowledge of biology, chemistry, mathematics, and physics through Loyola’s forensic science program, besides knowledge of the criminal justice system, technical proficiency, and various other abilities. Students study patterns, biology-DNA, and chemistry in innovative labs.
The Forensic Education Programs Accreditation Commission has approved the program (FEPAC). Loyola University has consistently aligned itself as part of the comprehensive colleges with Forensic science majors.
Location: Chicago
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#10. Towson University
Students majoring in forensic chemistry at Towson University are prepared for employment as practicing scientists in business, industry, and government and for additional graduate study.
The curriculum focuses on practical applications, assisting majors in honing their laboratory abilities as they apply to forensic analysis. A general forensic science route, a trace evidence/drug analysis track, or even a DNA track are available to students.
Location: Towson, Maryland
#11. Syracuse University
As an Integrated Learning Major at Syracuse, Forensic Science exposes students to the profession through various lenses and challenges them to apply their knowledge to several disciplines.
Students will make use of significant lab resources while engaging in a variety of coursework and practical fieldwork. The Forensic and National Security Sciences Institute is inside the university. SU is not just one of the best colleges with Forensic science majors; it is the ideal place for a practical forensic approach.
Majors in forensic Science are also urged to study abroad.
Location: Syracuse, New York
#12. University of Texas – Austin
Students interested in forensic science professions can gain an interdisciplinary perspective by earning a forensic science certificate from UT Austin.
Every undergraduate student is qualified to take part. The debate and forensics program at UT Austin, which was first established in 1883 as the Athenaeum Literary Society, offers another opportunity related to the field.
Location: Austin, Texas
#13. Texas A & M University
The Forensic and Investigative Sciences program at Texas A&M University offers a life sciences-based education, assisting students in developing practical skills and using cutting-edge technology to understand the ins and outs of the field.
It is one of two bachelor’s degree programs in Texas that is nationally accredited by FEPAC. Students can either have a pre-law emphasis track or a science emphasis track.
Location: College Station, Texas
#14. San Jose State University
SJSU is among the most reputable colleges with Forensic science majors, with a track record of producing top-notch Forensic scientists.
The Forensic Science program at the Department of Justice Studies grants bachelor’s degrees in Forensic Biology, Forensic Chemistry, Digital Evidence, and Crime Scene Investigation (CSI).
Every curriculum complies with the requirements for the American Academy of Forensic Sciences’ accreditation of forensic education programs. Additionally, SJSU offers a Forensic Studies Minor that draws interest from students in a variety of majors.
Location: San Jose, California
#15. University of Rutgers, Newark
Students can learn about forensic Science through the comprehensive, interdisciplinary Criminal Justice curriculum at Rutgers-Newark, a part of the School of Arts and Sciences.
Students are exposed to the theory and practice of scientific methodologies and procedures being used in the criminal investigation through pertinent courses. Along with field trips, internships, and other chances through Criminal Justice, students will take part in lab work.
Location: Newark, New Jersey
#16. West Virginia University
Students at WVU can earn a bachelor’s degree in forensic biology, forensic chemistry, or forensic examination.
Each program gives students a solid foundation in the underlying theories and practical applications of forensic Science. The Forensic Education Courses Accreditation Commission has accredited all programs (FEPAC). Students must perform an internship as a component of their degree.
Location: Morgantown, West Virginia
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#17. George Washington University
The combined forensic science bachelor’s degree program at George Washington University allows students to earn also a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry and a Master of Forensic Sciences.
Students in the BS Chemistry degree are fast-tracked through a Master’s degree, which establishes a strong foundation for students to finish a curriculum that covers the investigation of accelerants & textiles besides the consequences of drug usage on the human body.
This FEPAC program typically takes 5 years to finish and has coursework that is exemplary of a top forensic science program.
Location: Washington
#18. The University of Mississippi
The BS in Forensic Chemistry offered by the University of Mississippi has received FEPAC accreditation and American Chemical Society (ACS) Chemistry for Life approval. The capstone project for the course is completed in a crime lab.
Graduates are equipped with advanced problem-solving skills and are prepared to use rapidly advancing technological tools. Students hoping to be certified as forensic scientists through the ACS must finish certain classes.
The state government created the University of Mississippi in 1844; the school began four years later to teach 80 students. One of the most well-known institutions in the Deep South, Ole Miss, is still the largest university in the state.
The medical center at Ole Miss is credited with performing the world’s first lung and heart transplant.
Location: Mississippi
#19. University of North Texas
The forensic science bachelor’s degree program at the University of North Texas offers BS degrees in Biochemistry, Biology, or Chemistry along with a forensic science certificate. These three-degree programs collectively represent the accepted concept of forensic Science.
Chemistry, microscopy, lab work, ethics, and forensic science evidence procedures are all included in the interdisciplinary curriculum. Students must earn 19 credits of forensic science-related coursework besides the prerequisites for their bachelor’s degree to receive the forensic science certificate.
In 1890, the University of North Texas was established as a public school of higher learning. The institution is recognized as the flagship institution in the University of North Texas system as one of the awesome colleges with Forensic science majors.
Location: North Texas
#20. Sam Houston State University
The BS in Forensic Chemistry program at Sam Houston State University is renowned for being the first in Texas. The recognized curriculum at SHSU enables graduates to continue to graduate school or apply for various jobs in crime laboratories. It takes 126 credits to earn this bachelor’s degree in Forensic Science.
Most forensic science students choose to minor in biology. However, others choose to major in both chemistry and criminal justice. Graduates of forensic science programs land lucrative jobs in both the public and commercial sectors.
About an hour’s drive separates Sam Houston State University from Houston’s city center. It became a reality in 1879. It holds this distinction as the first teacher-training institution west of the Mississippi River.
Location: Houston
Frequently Asked Questions
A forensic medical examiner may hold the highest-paying position in forensic Science. Compared to most other positions in the industry, the route to this one is significantly lengthier. Because of this, the pay scale is also considerably larger than others.
Bachelors in Forensic Science, criminal justice, and legal studies are also options for those interested in forensic science careers. They need further expertise in biology, chemistry, and computer programming to succeed.
Finding a career in the highly competitive forensic science profession can be challenging. Having advanced training and certificates can be beneficial.
Mathematical calculations are frequently used in forensic investigations, much like in many scientific tests and experiments. Take a variety of calculus, statistics, and laboratory measurement and technique courses in college-level math.
Overall, the study’s findings show that too many forensic examiners feel under pressure to perform, with the amount of pressure depending on the field and level of experience. The findings also show that one stressor is lab managers or supervisors.
Conclusion
We have talked in depth about the colleges with Forensic science majors. Numerous rewarding career opportunities in forensic Science exist across various industries.
Crime scene investigators, forensic technologists, and digital forensic analysts contribute to resolving crimes, the pursuit of the guilty party, and the comfort of crime-affected families.
Graduates interested in a forensic science career should be well-organized and have excellent observational abilities. Students also require good analytical skills to follow the evidence and draw conclusions.
References
- Collegevine.com – Best Colleges with Forensic majors
- Forensiccolleges.com – Top Forensic colleges and Universities
- Bachelorsdegreecenter.org – Best Colleges with Forensic Majors
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