How long does it take to get a Forensic Science degree? A great question! The answer depends on which degree level one is seeking to accomplish. Is it an Associate’s, a Bachelor’s, a Master’s, a PhD, or perhaps an MD in Forensic Sciences or similar disciplines? Are you taking this specialized degree program at a traditional campus or is the Forensic degree from an online college or university?
Here’s the answer based on an average of the expected completion time frame:
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
- 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
PhD / Doctorate Degree in Forensic Science
- 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 (ie. 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
- 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
Just remember that a Forensic Science degree is not a “walk in the park” – it is a science based degree for which not everyone is “cut out” for. This degree track will require more initiative than others, but the rewards are vast and if you like to solve crimes through the use of brains, rather than brawn, this is a great route to go. I hope this helps you. Good luck!
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Hi, I am currently a freshmen at a state college majoring in Criminal Justice. I have 2 questions. First off, I know mostly everything on television dealing with crime scene investigation is fake. However, is there any job where I would visit crime scenes and collect evidence like a crime scene investigator but not have to run science experiments? My criminal justice major doesn’t deal much with science classes but I would like to be something like a crime scene investigator, even though I don’t have a huge science background. I am also trying to make as much money as possible. I have thought about law school, but besides a lawyer what job or path should I take that involves the highest salary somewhat dealing with the criminal justice field? Sorry this was so long and wordy, thanks.
You’re right, most tv shows have a huge Hollywood flare, but there are a few good ones that you should see.
1. Crime 360 on A&E
2. Forensic Files on TruTV
3. 48 Hours on A&E
All three deal with forensic science and crime scene investigation.
As a crime scene investigator you don’t have to perform very complex science experiments – that’s what the crime labs are for. However, you will have to perform calculations and data collection, amongst small scale experiments, that are based on physics, chemistry, and mathematics; plus other sciences. There’s no other way to do that. WHY? As a crime scene investigator you’ll be responsible for collecting data in the crime scene. This data can be blood, bullets and their trajectory (pattern of flight), and fingerprints (out of many more). This is why a crime scene investigator has to have a little more brains than brawn. Preserving the integrity of the crime scene and evidence is no small task and one little mistake can mean the difference between a finalized murder case against the suspect or no case at all.
Crime Scene Investigators are not rewarded in gold. The salary is often lower than that of a law enforcement officer depending on geographical location. A CSI with superb forensic science knowledge and the education to back it can be handsomely rewarded through consulting jobs.
Law school is a great option, but it will require a little soul searching – “Is that really what I want to do?” Not all lawyers make a lot.
To help you out with the last question – highest paying position in criminal justice field – see the careers section of the site and click on the appropriate career option (top navigation menu).
Thank you for the quick and very helpful response to the last question. One more thing, if I were to transfer to a different college to start my sophomore year and major in sociology would I still be able to qualify for jobs further down the road such as a detective, crime scene investigator, or homicide detective? I live in Massachusetts and UMass Amherst is my most desirable school but doesn’t offer criminal justice, so sociology is the next closest thing.
Most law enforcement professions need a general educational goal. Whether it is 60 credit hours or a Bachelor’s degree the requirement for the area of study can be virtually anything as long as you go to a properly accredited college or university. So no worries there. However, there may be certain courses that you may need, and perhaps certificates, that are pertinent to a CSI. Many CSIs don’t have all the credentials when they start and acquire them on the job. This is entirely dependent on the organization you would work with.
University of Massachusetts – Amherst is a great option for transfer, however be warned that sociology is a broader field than criminal justice and you may not have the opportunity to explore criminal justice matters in-depth. Ask a representative of the school about what the program entails.
There are also Forensic Science programs out there that are either a part of a criminal justice curriculum or are the bulk of your studies. Something worth to look at, especially that a Bachelor’s degree in _____________ will help you obtain a job as a police officer, which leads to a detective career (most detective candidates must take the detective exam), or a crime scene investigator (with added courses wherever applicable).
in forensic science do u analyze collected data from csi people i mean what do you do????
Check out the career section of the site in the top navigation menu. It has quite a few forensic science careers listed with detailed information on job specific duties, and more…