Online Forensic Science Degrees

Specialists in forensic science usually work for law enforcement agencies or departments, but their work can touch other parts of the criminal justice system. No matter what branch of science they use, their work is designed to discover the truth about a crime wherever it may lead.

We've listed a few jobs here that graduates can attain once they earn a bachelor's degree in forensic science. Unless otherwise noted, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) places these jobs in the broad category of forensic science technicians, who earn a median annual salary of $60,590 and can expect a rapid job growth rate of 16% through 2030.

There's no answer to this question that suits every person. You need to weigh the factors that are most important to your lifestyle when deciding whether to pursue a bachelor's degree in forensic science. This degree may lead to a fulfilling job in a growing field but be sure to consider all the pros and cons before choosing to pursue it.

Potential benefits

• Forensic science professionals report moderate to high levels of job satisfaction. They tend to point to the importance of their work as a major factor in happiness with their career choices
• Most forensic science jobs provide the opportunity to practice a variety of skills, including developing technical knowledge, critical thinking, problem-solvi

Potential drawbacks

• The 16% job growth rate for forensic science technicians is twice the average rate for all U.S. occupations, but the actual number of these jobs is small — the BLS expects only 2,700 new positions from 2020-2030. Jobs in some specialties may be more in demand than others.
• According to a recent scholarly study, professionals who work at crime scenes tend to have higher levels of stress and greater potential for burnout than their lab-based colleagues. This includes CSIs who collect evidence.

You may also consider the virtue of studying forensic science online. Colleges have offered distance learning programs in the sciences for decades, and many students are drawn to the flexibility of asynchronous coursework. However, others prefer the interaction of a classroom and the ability to question professors in real time in classrooms or laboratories.

The best degree depends on your career goals. For example, if you want to work as a forensic chemistry technician after college, you might choose a B.S. in Forensic Science and take as many chemistry electives as you're allowed. You can even choose a broader B.S. in Chemistry and apply for jobs in forensic science.

If you want to be a forensic psychologist, a good option is a B.S. in Forensic Psychology or psychology with a concentration in forensic or criminal psychology. You'll need to earn a doctorate to practice as a psychologist, but your B.S. may cover some prerequisite courses that you'd otherwise need to take before embarking on the doctoral degree. A B.S. could also allow you to work in the field sooner.

Every student has different aptitudes and abilities, so there's no blanket answer to this question. To succeed in a forensic science degree program, you'll need to demonstrate knowledge of various sciences through tests and lab work. You'll also need to write papers on the criminal justice system, diversity and inclusivity, and criminal justice ethics, which may be challenging. Some student reviews discuss professors with unclear expectations, but this concern isn't limited to this major.

The short answer is yes, but the big picture is more complicated. BLS projects a 16% increase in forensic science technician jobs through 2030 thanks to a backlog of cases in jurisdictions around the country.

However, even though this rate is twice the average for all U.S. jobs, the small number of total positions means that only 2,500 jobs on average will open each year over the next decade.

Many of the existing forensic science jobs are in high-density cities, but others are in less densely populated states such as Arizona.