Degrees > Social Services • Public Administration > Forensic Science Degrees

Forensic Science Degrees

Most forensic science careers require at least a bachelor’s degree to pursue. During the course of your study, you will be able to specialize in specific areas of forensic science. Concentrations in areas such as toxicology or criminal psychology will grant you access to the area of forensic science that interests you most. There’s no need to choose before you enroll in a degree program; choose a lower level degree to get your feet wet before moving on to a bachelor’s or master’s. Or take the first couple years of a degree program to sample classes you may be interested in pursuing as a career.

It is up to you to decide which degree is going to be the right choice for you. Forensic science degrees include:

• Certificate: A forensic science certificate is generally utilized by the college student already majoring in one of the broad sciences such as biology or physics. If the student wishes to apply that broad scientific study into a forensic science career, a certificate if the perfect way to accomplish that goal.
• Associate’s: Although a bachelor’s degree or higher is usually required for a career in forensic science, an associate’s degree program can give students a feel for forensic science before they commit to a four year degree.
• Bachelor’s: This is by far the most common degree program, and is required for most forensic science careers. A degree in forensic science is a direct way to a career in that field, but students who desire broader career options may major in biology, physics or chemistry, and obtain forensic science certification before beginning a career.
• Master’s: This high-level degree program will provide the graduate access to more advanced career options in the forensic science field. This program can be pursued after obtaining a bachelor’s in forensic or any other physical science undergraduate degrees. Students may begin the master’s program immediately after completing a bachelor’s degree, or may return to school for additional training after beginning a career in forensic science.