Online Law and Criminal Justice Degrees in Crime Scene & Forensics

Discover online crime scene investigation degree programs, and compare bachelor, associate and certificate programs from several different accredited universities and colleges.

Online Crime Scene & Forensics Degree Programs

Most people have heard about crime scene forensics through television shows such as CSI: Crime Scene Investigation. CSI and other programs certainly glamorize forensics work, but the career is interesting even without the glamour. Forensic science technicians are professional puzzle solvers of high-stake crime-solving puzzles. Specifically, your duties in this career will include:

• Collecting and analyzing physical evidence from crime scenes
• Properly storing evidence
• Preparing reports in order to document findings
• Providing information to investigators and other law professionals
• Offering expert testimony in courts of law

Forensic Science Career Training

Career training in forensic science can be earned through a certificate program, associate's degree, or bachelor's degree. Courses might include biology, clinical lab science, criminology, and toxicology. Online courses are available at all levels of study, which means you do not have to rearrange your schedule in order to earn your degree. While a certificate can be earned in as little as one year, an associate's degree usually takes two years, and a bachelor's degree usually takes four years to complete. If you begin with a certificate or associate's degree, and later return to school, previously earned credits can often be transferred to a bachelor's degree program. This should reduce the amount of time it takes for you to complete your bachelor's degree.

In addition to what you learn from your classes, you will be most successful in forensics if you demonstrate a few characteristics. First, it is important for forensic science technicians to remain calm under emotionally-distressing circumstances. In this job, you will need to analyze bodily fluids of victims of heinous crimes. Remaining calm will be essential. It will also be important to remain an objective investigator of scientific evidence. It will be your job to collect evidence, not determine its meaning. That will be left to police and detectives. Other traits that are helpful in this career are strong communication, organizational, and computer skills.

Forensic Science Job Opportunities

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) forecasts a significant need for forensic science technicians in the next decade, an increase of 31 percent between 2006 and 2016. This represents 4,000 additional forensic employees. The BLS notes that forensic science technicians with bachelor's degrees will experience the best job opportunities. For technician assistants or trainees, a certificate or associate's degree is usually sufficient.

According to the BLS, the 2007 median salary for forensic science technicians was $47,680, with the lowest 10 percent earning a median of $29,170 and the highest 10 percent earning a median of $76,440 per year. The primary employers of forensic science technicians are state and local governments. Other industries hiring these technicians are psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals, investigation and security services, and the federal government. Of these, the federal government pays the highest mean wage, although they hire the fewest forensics employees.

Pursue your Crime Scene & Forensics degree today.

Strayer University Get the right foundation for your future with a degree from Strayer University. Evening, weekend and online classes are all available to meet the needs of busy adults. Learn more about programs at Strayer University. BSCJ: Computer Security and Forensics BSCJ: Computer Security and Forensics The principle objective of the Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice is to teach students the theoretical, legal and operational aspects of crime and justice, equipping students with the knowledge and training needed to succeed in any of these fields. This program is the ideal gateway for a variety of positions in the public and private sector. If you have a general interest in the field, or are currently employed in Criminal Justice seeking advancement, this degree is a vital component to your career aspirations. While students acquire fundamental (as well as practical and professional) skills in all areas of Criminal Justice, the Bachelor of Science program offers area concentrations that allow you to tailor your degree to your specific career and educational goals. Students have the option of choosing a concentration in: * Criminal Justice Administration * Homeland Security Technology * Homeland Security and Emergency Management * Computer Security and Forensics The average time to complete this undergraduate program attending on a part-time basis, 9.0 credit hours per quarter, is 60 months. *Programs may vary by state and by campus View Accreditation Hide Accreditation Strayer University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

The University of Liverpool Advance your career and increase your earning potential with a masters degree from the University of Liverpool. Study online in small groups of business professionals. Learn more about programs at The University of Liverpool. MSc in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Investigation MSc in Forensic Psychology and Criminal Investigation The University of Liverpool, and its School of Psychology, has drawn upon its global reach of international practitioners and academics to create its first online postgraduate programme in the field of forensic psychology and criminal investigation. Graduates will be aware of the issues, skills and techniques required to become a highly competent psychology professional, or to apply psychological principles in their careers. The initial core modules of the programme cover the principles of leadership, critical incident management and crisis intervention, team effectiveness, judgement and decision making. View Accreditation Hide Accreditation Not accredited by US accrediting bodies as of July 1, 2006.

Stratford Career Institute Stratford Career Institute is an innovative leader in the field of distance education. More than 700,000 students have enrolled in our convenient, affordable career education courses since 1991. Learn more about programs at Stratford Career Institute. Forensic Science Forensic Science Start exploring a career in Forensic Science with Stratford Career Institute. Train at home in your spare time, using proven learning methods perfected by Stratford, an innovative leader in home study training courses. Stratford's Forensic Science correspondence course offers comprehensive career training in many key areas, including: The crime laboratory Processing the crime scene Fundamentals of DNA analysis Voice examination techniques Fingerprint identification systems Handwriting and document identification Detecting poisons at a crime scene Analysis of evidence and much more?

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