Looking at a Forensic Science Degree

The case is largely circumstantial. The police are working desperately to unravel the mysteries surrounding the crime. Up steps a hero. The forensic scientist finds evidence in the DNA from the crime scene. Additional proof is uncovered from the mud in the deceased shoes that matches the earth near the defendant’s home. The wounds are consistent with what would have occurred if the defendant committed the crime. Suddenly, the circumstantial evidence has turned to into the proof that the prosecution needs to close the case.

This could have been the plot from any of the police and prosecution dramas that flood the airwaves today. Where did this hero get a start into forensic science to be able to do such astounding things? He or she went to a college that allowed the opportunity to major in forensic science, and earn a degree. There is a good chance this scientist has gone on to a master’s level or even a doctorate. The jobs are highly paid and in great demand. However, there are few positions available unless you have adequately prepared yourself for the opportunity when it comes.

Doing an online search will net you dozens of forensic science programs being offered in classrooms and online. Sifting through these programs to find the one that is best for you may be difficult. Many of these programs do not offer much in the way of hands-on education. They teach theories and how to do data bank searches. Unless you can get your latex gloves dirty, it is unlikely that you will exit the program with a degree that will unlock many doors.

Your forensic science degree will be loaded with criminal justice and law enforcement courses. Before you can determine if a crime has been committed, you must know the law. Along with these courses, you will need a huge amount of biology, botany, anatomy, and chemistry. This means that you must have an interest in both doing copious amounts of paperwork and intensive laboratory work.

In order to get all of the courses that you need into your college degree, it will almost certainly mean that a bachelor’s degree is only the start. Many of the better forensic science degrees spend most of your undergraduate hours spooning the science portion of the degree into your head. The idea is that you can build up the law portion in graduate school.

If you really want a job in this field, plan on at least six years of education beyond high school. You may even want to plan on going to medical school. This way you can work a few years as a medical doctor to get rid of those pesky student loans.

A forensic science degree will lock you into a relatively narrow career field. Because of this, many forensic science majors end up in some other branch of law enforcement. The idea is to build up your resume with police and detective experience before making the move to the forensics department. Unless you are a genius level performer in the forensic science arena, it will take you several years before your career experience level qualifies you to leapfrog over the competition and land your dream job.