What Schools Have Forensic Science Degrees in Pennsylvania?

Pennsylvania offers bachelor's and master's degree programs in forensic science at both public and private colleges and universities. This article provides you with the details you need to choose a school that will fit your goals.

What You Need to Know

Universities and 4-year colleges have forensic science degree programs in Pennsylvania. These programs are offered at the bachelor's and master's degree levels. Bachelor's programs take four years to complete and may include hands-on coursework or an internship. Master's degree programs take two years to complete and may include research papers. Below are some of the schools that offer forensic science degree programs in Pennsylvania. Continue reading to learn more and see if any of these programs will fit your educational goals.

Bachelor's Degree Forensic Science Programs in Pennsylvania

Mercyhurst College

In this applied degree program, you learn to recognize physical evidence at a crime scene and to document each piece of evidence. You may take courses in math, geology, physics, chemistry, biology and anthropology. You may also get hands-on experience through fieldwork and labs, such as criminalistics, environmental evidence and GIS (geographic information systems). Other courses that you may take include fire science, investigation of a death scene, forensic photography, microbial genetics and spectral interpretation.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Applied Forensic Sciences
• Field of Study Options: Forensic biology, forensic anthropology or forensic chemistry and toxicology
• Program Length: Four years
• Tuition and Fees: $37,170 (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: College preparatory courses (16 units) - four English, two foreign language, two science (one lab), three math and five social sciences
• Requirements: Application, high school transcript, ACT or SAT scores, letter of recommendation, personal statement and an interview
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit, 2,685 students (2,381 undergraduates)

Pennsylvania State University

The forensic bachelor's program is interdisciplinary, and the program itself has the American Academy of Forensic Science accreditation (one of only 38 programs). You would study forensic statistics, criminalistics, courtroom proceedings, forensic chemistry and CSI (criminal scene investigation) principles.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science
• Field of Study Options: Biology or chemistry
• Program Length: Four years
• Tuition and Fees: $18,454 for residents; $34,858 for non-residents (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Required high school courses in English, social studies, foreign language, science and math, achieve C or better in chemistry 110, chemistry 111, chemistry 112, forensic science 210 and math 140 and a cumulative GPA of 2.0
• Requirements: Application, SAT or ACT scores, GPA, class rank, activities list and personal statement
• School Type: 4-year, public, 46,810 students (40,363 undergraduates)

York College of Pennsylvania

You would take courses in criminalistics, processing crime scenes, forensic lab, general physics, calculus, inorganic chemistry and a forensic internship. You would learn to analyze and examine evidence using your analytical skills, as well as advanced instrumentation. Upon completion of the program, you may find a position as a crime-lab chemist for the police or a federal agency. Alternatively, you may enroll in graduate school or work for a research facility.

• Program Name: Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry
• Program Length: Four years
• Tuition and Fees: $20,100 (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: High school courses in English, social studies, algebra, geometry, laboratory science and foreign languages
• Requirements: SAT and ACT scores
• School Type: 4-year, private not-for-profit, 4,317 students (4,050 undergraduates)

Master's Degree Programs in Pennsylvania

Drexel University

In this program, you'd learn about forensic sciences' legal, biological and physical applications inside the system of criminal justice. You may take courses in analysis of latent prints, tool marks or blood patterns, microbiology, DNA analysis, autopsy, traumatology and chemical terrorism, depending on which concentration you choose. The program also includes internships, allowing you to meet other professionals working in forensics.

• Program Name: Master of Science in Forensic Science
• Field of Study Options: Molecular biology, clinical forensic medicine or criminalistics
• Program Length: Two years
• Tuition: $34,155 (2018-2019)
• Prerequisites: Strong science background, courses in physics, organic chemistry, chemistry and biology and undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0
• Requirements: Application, transcripts, GRE and/or MCAT scores and three reference letters
• School Type: 4-year private, not-for-profit, 24,634 students (15,724 undergraduates)

Pennsylvania State University

Penn State's master's in forensic science program is one of five professional master's in forensic science in the U.S. You can engage in independent research through this program. You would be required to write a publishable paper on the results and present the paper orally. Core courses include courtroom proceedings, criminalistics principles, drug chemistry, toxicology, forensic science ethics and a research project. You may also take chromatography, electrochemistry and molecular biology, depending on your chosen track.

• Program Name: Masters of Professional Studies in Forensic Science
• Field of Study Options: Chemistry or biology
• Program Length: Two years
• Tuition: $21,540 for residents; $36,974 for non-residents (2018-2019)
• Requirements: Application, fee, college transcripts, letter of intent, two reference letters, curriculum vitae, one page essay on the meaning of 'ethics', GRE (at least 306) and interview
• School Type: 4-year, public, 46,810 students (40,363 undergraduates)

As you can see, there are a few colleges in Pennsylvania that offer different degree programs in forensic science that have a wide variety of fields of study.