Online Forensic Science Degree Programs

Why get a forensic science degree? If you love solving puzzles and mysteries and you want a forensic scene career, you will help bring criminals to justice.

Forensic scientists, also known as crime scene investigators (CSI) are responsible for collecting, analyzing, and investigating the evidence left at the scene of a crime. They also may be required to testify in court cases. Graduates also work in state laboratories or medical examiners offices. Many forensic scientists specialize in an area such as DNA analysis, fingerprint matching, and firearms examination. The field of forensic science is both an analytical and research-base. It offers various career options that include forensic medicine, computer forensics, investigation, reporting, forensic nursing and criminal justice. Forensics science careers focuses on analyzing physical evidence that is related to investigations and crime scenes. In many cases, a forensic scientist may be required to testify in court proceedings. Forensic science uses scientific methods and principles to resolve legal issues. Forensic scientists play an important role in crime solving by analyzing physical evidence, preparing reports for law enforcement official and courts, and serving as expert witnesses during court trials. For instance Dell computer forensics solution includes multiple applications to assist law enforcement agencies with the storage and remote retrieval of evidential data.

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Selected Online Forensic Science Degree Programs

Learn more about colleges and universities that also offer online and distance learning options for forensic science degree programs.

Kaplan University

• B.S. in Criminal Justice / Crime Scene Investigation
• B.S. in Criminal Justice / Forensic Psychology
• Crime Scene Technician Certificate
• B.S. in Accounting / Auditing - Forensic Accountancy
• Forensic Nursing

Colorado Technical University and Colorado Technical University Online

• Bachelor of Science in Financial Forensics
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice

American InterContinental University and American InterContinental University Online

• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Forensic Science

Strayer University

• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Computer Security and Forensics

• Bachelor's in Computer Information Systems - Computer Forensics

• Criminal Investigations (Associate Degree)

Everest College

• Bachelor of Science - Criminal Justice
• Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) - Computer Forensics
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Forensic Science
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement
• Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice - Forensic Science

Forensic Science Education and Training

A bachelors degrees in biological or physical sciences is recommended to get into the field. With an associates degree in criminal justice, forensic science, that is also a good starting point for entry-level forensic technicians. Many forensic scientists have attained a master's or doctorate degrees in their specialization. A forensic science degree or diploma will prepare you to:

• Collect, package, transport, and document physical evidence
• Conduct fingerprinting
• Analyze evidence in the laboratory
• Reconstruct a crime
• Testify in court cases
• Produce professional reports and presentations

Forensic Science Careers

The job of forensic scientists is to investigate crimes. They college crime scene evidence and using the various scientific and technology approaches. The collect and analyze physical evidence, and also work with the police, police detectives, government officials, prosecutors, public defenders and others in the legal systems. They may also be required to:

• Reconstruct crime scenes
• Collect and analyze DNA samples
• Take fingerprints
• Collect and analyze forensic samples e.g. blood, hair, skin and tissue, bone fragments etc
• Report investigative findings
• Examine firearms and bullets
• Analyze text and written evidence
• Interpret lab reports and findings
• Keep legal logs and records
• Operate laboratory equipment
• Handwriting analysis
• Analyze digital data

Forensics scientists may specialize in one area such as DNA analysis, firearm research and weapons testing (ballistics) examining fiber, hair, tissue, or body fluid substances. They work with computer, lab equipment, chemicals, fluid samples and firearms that demand safety precautions.

Forensic scientists often work for local, regional, state, and forensic labs district attorney’s offices, private firms, lawyers and attorneys, the military and, federal agencies that include the DEA, Homeland Security, Customs, FBI, and the United States Postal Service.

Expected Salary and Projected Career Growth

With an online forensic science degree an experienced forensic scientist can earn between $40,000 to $85,000 a year in the United States. Lab directors with a masters or PhD in both campus and online forensic science degree often earn over $100,000 a year, while entry level technicians can make $30,000 and $45,000 a year. Employment of science technicians is expected to grow 12% over the next several years, which is about as fast as the average for all occupations.

Online Forensic science degree and law programs