Easiest Forensic Science Degree Programs for 2025

Forensic science is the field of science dedicated to collecting and analyzing evidence from the scene of a crime or accident. Forensic scientists may find and collect evidence from crime scenes or may analyze evidence in a lab.

Forensic science degrees are offered at multiple levels, but the easiest forensic science degree to complete is an associate degree. Keep reading to learn more about the easiest forensic science degrees.

What Are the Easiest Forensic Science Degree Programs?

Forensic science degrees are offered as associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctorate programs. The easiest of these programs to complete is an associate degree.

Associate Degrees

Associate degrees are undergraduate degrees. They usually require around 60 semester credit hours to complete, which takes about two years of full-time study. This is the least amount of credits required for a degree program, meaning students can finish their program more quickly.

Another reason associate degrees are easier is because they're offered by community and technical colleges, which usually have higher acceptance rates and lower tuition costs than four-year institutions.

Associate degrees in forensic science are most commonly offered as Associate of Science or Associate of Applied Science degrees. They prepare students to work in the areas of collection, preservation, and analysis of physical evidence.

Sometimes, these degrees are offered as criminal justice degrees with a concentration in forensic science. They may also be offered as forensic science degrees and may include concentrations like crime scene investigation and lab technology.

Courses for associate degrees in forensic science may include topics like:

• biological and trace evidence
• criminal investigation
• criminal justice
• evidence handling and processing
• fingerprinting
• forensic photography

These programs also often include some introductory biology and chemistry courses as well.

What Schools Offer Associate Degrees in Forensic Science?

Several colleges and universities across the country offer associate degrees in forensic science. These include:

• Casper College in Casper, Wyoming- Associate of Science in forensic science, available in a hybrid format
• CUNY Hostos Community College in New York City- Associate in Science in forensic science
• Fox Valley Technical College in Appleton, Wisconsin- Associate of Applied Science in forensic science, available online
• Green River College in Auburn, Washington- Associate of Applied Science in criminal justice with a concentration in forensic technology
• Mesa Community College in Mesa, Arizona- Associate of Applied Science in forensic science
• Miami Dade College in Miami, Florida- Associate in Science in crime scene technology with a specialty in forensic science
• New River Community College in Dublin, Virginia- Associate of Applied Science in forensic science
• Southwestern College in Chula Vista, California- Associate in Science in forensic studies
• Wayne Community College in Goldsboro, North Carolina- Associate of Applied Science in criminal justice technology with a concentration in forensic science
• William Rainey Harper College in Palatine, Illinois- Associate in Applied Science in forensic science

Because forensic science courses require lab work, they are almost always offered on campus. However, a few colleges offer these programs online.

What Can I Do With an Associate Degree in Forensic Science?

Students who earn their associate degrees in forensic science can enter the workforce with jobs like crime scene technician or forensic laboratory technician.

They can also choose to continue their studies by transferring their credits and completing a bachelor's degree program. This can open up a larger variety of roles and leadership roles in forensic science.

Other Forensic Science Programs

Forensic science degrees are most commonly offered as bachelor's degrees, but they are also offered at the graduate level. Bachelor's, master's, and doctorate degrees all require more years of study than an associate degree.

Bachelor's Degrees in Forensic Science

Bachelor's degrees are undergraduate degrees like associate degrees, but require about 120 semester credit hours and two years to complete.

Bachelor's degrees in forensic science cover the same concepts as the associate degree but also expand on those concepts for a more comprehensive curriculum. Students often learn concepts like:

• advanced chemistry
• biochemistry
• ethics
• genetics
• testimony

Some bachelor's degrees offer concentrations, such as crime scene investigation, forensic biology, or forensic chemistry.

Master's Degrees in Forensic Science

Master's degrees are graduate degrees that require about 30 credits and take anywhere from one to three years to complete. Students generally must hold a bachelor's degree before entering a master's program.

Master's degrees in forensic science are designed for students who want to switch to a forensic science career path or for those who are already working in forensic science but want to advance their careers.

Often, these programs are designed so students focus on a specific area of forensic science that correlates with their career goals. They may offer specializations like:

• arson, explosives, firearm, and tool mark investigations
• crime scene investigation
• forensic biology and DNA
• forensic chemistry
• trace evidence
• toxicology

Depending on the concentration you choose, you may be able to earn your master's degree in forensic science completely online.

Doctorate Degrees in Forensic Science

Doctorate degrees are the highest level of degree you can earn and are also the most difficult to obtain. You will need at least a bachelor's degree, if not a master's degree as well, before you can enter the program.

These degrees are most commonly offered as Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees, a type of research degree primarily for those who want to go into advanced research or academia.

PhD programs generally require two to three years of coursework followed by an additional two or three years spent on researching, writing, and defending a PhD dissertation on a topic in forensic science.

A few universities also offer Doctor of Forensic Science degrees. These are professional degrees meant to produce forensic science experts and can take three to five years to complete depending on the program.

Find the Easiest Forensic Science Degrees

The easiest forensic science degrees are associate degrees, as they take the least amount of time and are available through two-year colleges.