Which Forensic Schools Are in Texas?
Learn about your degree options in the field of forensic science. Get information about certifications available and program requirements to make an informed decision about your education.
There are a variety of ways to attain forensic science undergraduate and graduate degrees in Texas. Read on to learn about different private and public universities throughout the state and the degree programs they offer.
What You Need to Know
In Texas, you can earn a bachelor's or master's degree in forensics from 4-year, public or private universities. You'll need to commit at least 4 years of full-time study to earning a bachelor's degree, and a master's degree is likely to take at least 2 years to complete. Internships and hands-on lab experiences are available through some programs.
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Southern New Hampshire University
You have goals. Southern New Hampshire University can help you reach them. Whether you need a bachelor's degree to get into a career or want a master's degree to move up in your current career, SNHU has an online program for you.
University of Maryland Global Campus
University of Maryland Global Campus provides affordable, achievable, and flexible pathways to a college degree for adult learners. With over 90 degrees and certificates, UMGC is built to fit your schedule and goals.
University of North Carolina
The University of North Carolina offers a wide range of online programs designed for working adults. Earn your degree from a nationally recognized institution with flexible scheduling and strong academic support.
Arizona State University
Arizona State University offers more than 300 online degree programs, certificates and courses. ASU Online delivers the same rigorous academic programs as on campus, with the flexibility you need to succeed.
Forensic Science Bachelor's Degree Programs in Texas Schools
Lamar University
The Lamar University curriculum is a mixture of biology, criminal justice and chemistry courses. Additionally, a sequence in physics is required. Specific topics in criminal justice include drugs and alcohol and criminal investigation. This is a structured degree program that only allows you to choose a few electives within the core curriculum.
- Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry
- Program Length: 4-years
- Tuition and Fees (2020-2021): $8,591 for in-state students and $18,407 for out-of-state students
- Prerequisites: Graduate in top ten percentile of your high school class or meet SAT/ACT requirements
- School Type: 4-year, public; 15,460 students (8,701 undergraduates)
Texas A&M University - College Station
The forensic and investigative science program at Texas A&M University is housed in the entomology department. This university offers you several facilities to practice investigation techniques. The F.L.I.E.S. research facility allows you the opportunity to work on projects that investigate the processes of insect life on corpses. In the Tarone Lab, you can also learn how to use blowfly evolution on carrion as a predictive postmortem guideline. The core requirements of this program include applied forensic entomology, case studies in problem solving and an internship.
- Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Forensic and Investigative Science
- Specializations: Science and Pre-Law emphasis
- Program Length: 4-years
- Tuition and Fees (2020-2021): $12,783 for in-state students and $39,340 for out-of-state students
- Prerequisites: Must complete one semester prior to applying
- School Type: 4-year, public; 68,726 students (53,791 undergraduates)
Saint Mary's University
This is a Roman Catholic school that includes theology-related courses in the required curriculum. The Bachelor of Science degree programs you can choose from include forensic science with an option in biology or forensic science with an option in chemistry. The Bachelor of Arts program allows you to major in forensic science and take an option in criminology. The biology and chemistry programs include an internship with local or federal agencies.
- Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Forensic Science, Bachelor of Arts in Forensic Science
- Specializations: Biology, chemistry and criminology
- Program Length: 4-years
- Tuition and Fees (2020-2021): $33,720 for in-state and out-of-state students
- Prerequisites: Essay, SAT/ACT scores, high school transcript
- School Type: 4-year, private, not-for-profit; 3,513 students (2,270 undergraduates)
Sam Houston State University
Sam Houston State University (SHSU) offers you a Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry with a minor in criminal justice. The chemistry-related courses include topics in forensic, physical and organic chemistry. If you choose to pursue a criminal justice minor, you'll have topics in criminal investigation, white collar crime and criminal law fundamentals. Although paid positions aren't available, you can gain practical experience through volunteer work for research projects at the Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science Facility.
- Degree Program: Bachelor of Science in Forensic Chemistry
- Program Length: 4-years
- Tuition and Fees (2020-2021): $8,736 for in-state students, $18,552 for out-of-state students
- Prerequisites: High school transcripts, ACT/SAT scores
- School Type: 4-year, public; 21,558 students (18,805 undergraduates)
Forensic Science Master Degree Programs Offered in Texas Schools
Sam Houston State University
SHSU offers a Master of Science in Forensic Science that requires you to complete a thesis and a capstone project. The capstone project involves independent research that is presented in public. Some of your required coursework includes studies in analysis of controlled substances, forensic toxicology, quality assurance techniques and crime scene investigation methods. You'll choose your electives from criminal justice, biology, chemistry or psychology courses.
- Degree Program: Master of Science in Forensic Science
- Program Length: 2-years
- Graduate Tuition (2018-2019): $8,342 for in-state students, $15,704 for out-of-state students
- Prerequisites: Bachelor of Science in chemistry, biology, forensic chemistry or a related area, GRE scores, personal essay, transcripts
- School Type: 4-year, public; 21,558 students (18,805 undergraduates)
Lamar University, Texas A&M University - College Station, Saint Mary's University and Sam Houston State University offer bachelor's degrees in forensic science while Sam Houston State University also offers a master's degree program.
